Skateboard trucks have a lifespan defined by how you take care of them, and how often you skate. Keep reading to see some tips on skateboard truck maintenance and what you can do to prolong their life.
Skateboard trucks are considered to be the most important part of a skateboard. It is responsible for the functioning of a skateboard. Skateboard trucks allow you to control the direction and speed of your board.
Average Skateboard Trucks Life
As per experts, the average lifespan of skateboard trucks is about two to four years, depending on the quality and your riding style. The quality of your bearings will also affect how long Skateboard Trucks last.
However, the lifespan of a skateboard truck depends on the material used to make it and how well you take care of your skateboard trucks.
If you’re a beginner who just wants to have fun or an intermediate skater who isn’t doing much more than cruising around town, then your trucks will probably last you quite a while.
If you’re a more advanced rider who does tricks and jumps frequently or an aggressive street skater who rides on rough terrain, you’ll want to consider upgrading your trucks sooner rather than later.
You can also read this blog about High vs low skateboard trucks. Which one is better for your riding style.
Factors That Affect Skateboard Trucks Life:
There are many different factors that affect how long skateboard trucks will last.
1. Poor Trucks quality
Poor-quality trucks are prone to wear out sooner than those crafted with higher-quality material. Some of these trucks are made from cheap materials that don’t hold up under stress. This can lead to premature wear and tear, which will reduce the lifespan of your skateboard truck.
2. The Road Surface
Riding your skateboard on any surface that is not smooth will also cause more wear and tear on your truck. If possible, try to avoid any surface that is rough or uneven, such as concrete and asphalt roads. This can help extend the life of your skateboard truck by preventing it from grinding into the ground and taking the brunt of the impact from bumps in the road or sidewalk.
3. Your Weight
If you are overweight and trying to do tricks that might put stress on your trucks beyond their limits and reduce their life span.
4. Your Riding Style
different riding styles may impact the truck’s life span. For example, if you like to do some more technical tricks, your truck may break sooner than someone who focuses on cruising and carving.
5. Weather
Skateboard trucks are made of aluminum and some steel components. These metals are prone to rust when exposed to moisture. You should therefore keep your skateboard trucks away from wet surfaces or water. After every use, wipe off the moisture with a towel or soft cloth and store the trucks in a dry place if you do get them wet. This will help prolong their life.
6. Cheap Quality Of Your Bearings And Bushings
If you have cheap bearings and bushings, you will have to replace them as soon as possible because cheap bearings and bushings tend to wear out faster than high-quality ones. Replacing your bearings and bushings may be expensive, but it is worth it if you want your skateboard truck to last longer.
7. How Often Do You Skate (How many hours per day/week)
Skating more frequently means that your skateboard truck will wear out quicker than someone who skates less often. This is because the more you grind on things like curbs or rails, the more wear and tear there will be on your skateboard truck.
8. How Often Do You Clean Your Bearings And Bushings
If you fail to clean them regularly, they may become dirty over time, making it harder to roll smoothly when riding your board!
When Should You Replace Your Skateboard Trucks?
When your skateboard trucks are old and worn out, they can cause all kinds of problems. Here are some signs that your old trucks need to be replaced:
1. When Your Trucks Are Visibly Broken
If your skateboard trucks are bent or broken in any way, then it’s time to replace them. The same goes for cracked or rusty trucks. If they’re physically damaged, then they need to be replaced.
2. When Your Trucks Are Rusty And Won’t Spin Smoothly
If your nuts and bolts are rusted in place, you’ll need new trucks. This happens when you don’t clean your board often enough or if you live near the ocean or a lake that has a lot of water in it all year long (like where I live). You should always try to keep your board clean so that this doesn’t happen!
3. When Trucks Are No Longer Symmetrical
If one side of the truck is lower than the other, it will cause problems for you when riding. You’ll feel like one side of your board is heavier than the other, which can lead to fatigue or uneven wear on your wheels. It can also cause wheel bite, which is when the wheel rubs against your deck as it turns and causes damage or even breaks your board.
4. When Trucks Are No Longer Functioning As They Should
Even if your trucks aren’t broken yet but don’t function as well as they were new, it may be time for an upgrade. As your board gets older and rougher from use, the bushings inside them will start wearing down, making it harder for you to turn or slide on certain surfaces like concrete or wooden ramps.
5. If One Of Your Axles is Broken Or Stripped
This can happen if you ride over rough terrain like curbs or rubble. If you suspect that one is broken, take it apart and inspect it carefully for cracks or breaks. If any are found, replace them immediately.
How to Extend The Lifespan Of Skateboard Trucks?
Here are some tips:
1. Clean And Lubricate Your Skateboard Trucks Regularly
Cleaning your skateboard truck is an important step in keeping it running smoothly. If there is dirt or debris lodged between the bushings and baseplate, it will cause friction and wear down parts faster than normal. It would help if you cleaned off any dirt or sand from the inside of your truck after every ride to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
2. Do Not Overtighten Your Trucks
Over-tightening your skateboarding trucks can cause damage to the kingpin nut, which holds everything together. Overtightening also puts extra stress on the baseplate and hanger, which may cause them to crack or warp.
3. Replace Damaged Parts
If your skateboard trucks aren’t working right, check if they need any new parts. Skateboard trucks tend to wear down over time, and they’re more likely to break if they’re not properly maintained. Replacing damaged parts is one of the easiest ways to increase their lifespan.
4. Tighten The Hardware After Using
One of the most common reasons skateboard trucks break is because they become loose over time due to wear and tear from use or neglect. To prevent this, tighten up any loose hardware before you ride it again!
If you’re not sure how tight your hardware should be, then refer to our article on tightening nuts, and bolt screws here: Skateboard Maintenance Guide.
Do Skateboard Trucks Loosen Over Time?
Yes, skateboard trucks tend to loosen over time, but it is not that much of a big deal. Just keep checking on them every couple of weeks and tighten them up if they are loose. Once a week is recommended for most people, but you should tighten them more often if you skate usually.
You can read in this blog post about How Tight or lose your Skateboard Trucks Be
Wrap Up On How Long Do Skateboard Trucks Last
I hope this guide helps you to know how long does a set of skateboard trucks last.
If you want a happy and safe skateboarding experience, it is essential to take good care of your skateboard, which also means your skateboard trucks.
So always tighten your trucks properly and keep your bearings clean every day or two. You also have a shallow cost way to extend the life of your skateboard trucks. The best precaution you can take is to skate on smooth surfaces.
Please feel free to leave your comments below and tell us if you found what you were looking for in the article. We would be pleased to hear if you have some more tips to share with us.
