How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (2024)

How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (1)

How long do skateboard trucks last? They are good for 2 to 4 years, and the wide gap is due to various factors determining your skateboard truck’s life.

Skateboard trucks are equally important as any other part of the skateboard. You can find these trucks under your board that holds your skateboard wheels. These trucks serve as the axle of your skateboard with the power to control your turn, jump, and grind.

For your own safety and protection, you must regularly check skateboard trucks, as well as other parts of your skateboard. Often than not, skateboarders perform exhibitions and tricks that may compromise their safety if the skateboards are not properly maintained.

How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (2)

Table of Contents

  • When Should You Replace Your Skateboard Trucks
  • When to Get New Skateboard Trucks
    • When you see it
    • When you feel it
    • When you hear it
    • Important tips
  • Do Skateboard Trucks Loosen Over Time
  • Conclusion

When Should You Replace Your Skateboard Trucks

How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (3)

Your skateboard truck’s life depends on its quality and its owner’s usage, but on average, it can last for 2 to 4 years. You can still maximize your truck’s service life if you can give them enough attention and care.

Your truck’s life can depend on how you can use and maintain them throughout the years. If you want to prolong the life of your skateboard trucks, you have to take good care of them.

Here’s how you can prolong the life of your skateboard trucks:

  • The way you use your skateboards plays an important role in determining if your skateboard trucks will last or not. Your truck holds your weight while riding on the board, so it will be helpful to be extra careful when riding on it.
  • Proper storage of your skateboards will prolong your skateboard trucks. These trucks were made of metals; more often than not, they were built to withstand rain and wetness. But if you leave them alone, soaked in water for a long period, rust will start to build up, and your trucks will wear out sooner or later.
  • The trail’s surface will also help extend your skateboard truck’s life—the smoother the road, the better for your truck’s sake. If you are using your trucks on rough and uneven roads most of the time, your truck’s life and efficacy will be affected.

When to Get New Skateboard Trucks

How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (4)

If you can maintain your skateboard trucks properly, your trucks will stay at your side for a longer time on smooth and safe rides. But we all know that they will not be there for a lifetime.

Your trucks will give you signs that tell you when to replace them. Be mindful of these signs and warnings that your skateboard gives you to prevent severe accidents in the future.

When you see it

Replace your trucks when you see cracks, rust, twisted, or bent axles. These were obvious indications that your trucks were not in good condition anymore.

When you feel it

Replace your trucks when you feel something is different from the way they should be functioning. Skateboard trucks should help you to grind and turn better, but if you have encountered a problem doing it, something is wrong with your truck, and you must check it at once.

When you hear it

Well-conditioned skateboard trucks run smoothly and quietly. Trucks with warped axles create noise while you are using them. When you hear an unusual noise from underneath your

skateboard deck, it might be calling your attention that it’s time to replace your trucks.

Important tips

Although it is advisable to buy skateboard trucks of high quality to ensure their good performance and durability, skateboarders inevitably have to buy cheaper ones. Just be responsible enough to check your trucks once in a while to ensure that they are still running smoothly to keep you safe while skateboarding and doing your tricks.

Do Skateboard Trucks Loosen Over Time

Yes, definitely they have the tendency to loosen over time so it is your job as the skateboard owner to check your truck’s condition every now and then.

Skateboarders tighten their trucks based on their own preferences. Generally, tighter trucks can make your turns hard, and loose trucks can give you unstable turns, so you have to adjust your trucks perfectly. But it wasn’t the case all the time.

Skaters who were starting their skateboarding journey tend to prefer tighter trucks. Tighter trucks make the board more stable and help them balance more.

On the other hand, street skaters find loose skateboard trucks more controllable. Loose trucks were highly recommended if you are riding on flat surfaces and not suitable for downward slopes, for they find it harder to speed up with loose trucks.

Your truck’s tightness depends on your preferences and needs. Your setup will depend on your skateboarding style. Your experience in skateboarding will tell you the level of tightness that best fits you and your style.

Important tip

For the safety of everyone, it is recommended that you try and test your newly done setup on your trucks before allowing yourself to try it outside. Make some adjustments if possible to prevent unwanted accidents.

Conclusion

So, how long do skateboard trucks last? It will depend on how you treat them throughout the entire years you use them. Keep in mind also that even if you buy the highest-priced skateboard trucks in town, and you cannot treat and maintain them properly, they will eventually wear out sooner than expected.

I hope this article gives you insights on taking good care of your trucks and gives you enough tips to determine the right time to get new skateboard trucks.

If you find this helpful, share this post, and feel free to comment on other ideas that might help other skaters out there.

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How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (5)

Michael Derosier

I am Michael, and I have been enjoying this fun sport for seven years. And nothing is better than having a community to share our passion for those thrilling tricks. I am ready to tell you all I know about skateboarding, showing you how to choose a good board and trick to start and how the practice goes. Stay tuned!

How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last? - Skateboards Lifespan (2024)

FAQs

How long should skateboards last? ›

Every 1 or 2 months isn't uncommon, and skateboarding can be expensive. Do you only skate a few times a week or are you more of a cruiser type of skateboarder? Your deck could probably last for a couple of years in this case. If you break decks regularly, consider a stronger deck.

How long can you keep a skateboard? ›

There aren't any particular rules: some people will break their board every week, while others will keep the same one for months. It depends on your build, your skating style and how much skating you do. As for the wheels and trucks, they're much longer lasting.

When should you get new trucks? ›

You keep making repairs

One of the most common (and the most expensive) signs it's time to buy yourself a new truck is that you keep having to shell out cash to get repairs. Of course, getting a new truck isn't exactly cheap. The average price of a new vehicle, according to the Kelley Blue Book, is $35,309.

Can skateboard trucks rust? ›

If trucks have been sitting for a long time or have come into contact with water and left unattended, rust can form. Rust should be removed as soon as it's noticed as it can spread and weaken the integrity of your skateboard trucks if left untreated.

Does rain ruin griptape? ›

Additionally, water can seep into the board's components, causing damage over time. The wheels, bearings, and trucks can corrode; grip tape can weaken; and a wooden deck is susceptible to become waterlogged, leading to warping and cracking.

Is it bad if your skateboard gets wet? ›

Aside from hindering the performance of your actual skateboard deck, water also ruins the other components of your board, including the trucks/bushings, hardware, bearings, and wheels. Trucks are tough, but enough water exposure will lead to rust, and the bushings will weaken.

How do you tell when you need a new skateboard? ›

You should feel it

Normally you will know when it is time to change your board. It feels like the board is soft. Tail and nose start to chip and the pop does not act correctly when you try to Ollie.

How long do skateboard bearings last? ›

If you don't skate in the wet, your bearings should last at least a year or two of cruising around, if not longer. If you do skate in the wet, make sure you clean your bearings regularly. For even better protection from the rain and road grime, pack your bearings out with a thicker grease.

Why does my skateboard stop so quickly? ›

The only other cause for unresponsive wheels would be rusted bearings (indicative of a skateboard damaged by water), so if the wheels don't spin better after they're loosened, you'll need to look into a bearing cleaner or new bearings.

Can skateboard trucks go bad? ›

Skateboard trucks are the longest lasting component on your skateboard and can last several years depending on how much grinding you do or how much impact you put on them.

How to make your skateboard last longer? ›

How to Make Your Skateboard Deck Last Longer:
  1. Keep your skateboard away from water. Remember the boards are wood and even a little bit of water can wreak havoc. ...
  2. Play nice with your skateboard. ...
  3. Skateboard decks and hot cars don't mix. ...
  4. Prevent tail skidding and stopping. ...
  5. Use a quality skateboard grip tape.
Nov 2, 2020

How to preserve a skateboard? ›

How to Keep Your Board in Top Condition for Longer
  1. Store your board in a dry place. ...
  2. Avoid skating in wet or rainy conditions. ...
  3. Regularly maintain your bearings. ...
  4. Sand down any chips or splinters that may appear on your board. ...
  5. Clip any grip tape that starts to peel off. ...
  6. Replace any parts that wear out over time.
Jan 17, 2023

How do you know when you need a new skateboard? ›

Normally you will know when it is time to change your board. It feels like the board is soft. Tail and nose start to chip and the pop does not act correctly when you try to Ollie. You can do the test of hitting the tail against the ground with a new board and an old board.

When should I replace my skateboard hardware? ›

If your hardware continually loosens, or if it's stripped or damaged, it's best to replace it instead of constantly tightening it.

When to replace truck bushings on skateboard? ›

Bushings commonly get worn out over time and start making your trucks floppy and unstable, which can cause you to get a lot of wheelbite. If your bushings are split or crushed on one or both sides, it's probably worth replacing your bushings so you can get some more responsive turns and less flop.

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