Truck simulator

[Brian Austin]

Some time ago I came across references to analog truck driving simulators for training.  These apparently used a miniature tractor-trailer in a model environment with a small video camera.

A much different system involved a snorkel lens and a small-scale obstacle field for a tank driving simulator.  I get the appeal of computer-based truck driving (and train operating) sim games, but I'm really fascinated by the analog systems of decades past.

Edited December 21, 2024 by Brian Austin

[Biggu]

The other question I have is can you generate your own jobs like “free flight” in flight sim or do you have to go through the game jobs to get ahead ? Not that , thats a bad thing but I Do NOT want to be driving for some company in a Volvo truck ( not a fan ) I would like something more classic and is it hard to download and install new trucks. I saw an old school Kenworth that was super cool and would do that instead of a new Volvo. Or are we stuck with the included trucks until we can afford to buy one from ai jobs?

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, Biggu said:

The other question I have is can you generate your own jobs like “free flight” in flight sim or do you have to go through the game jobs to get ahead ? Not that , thats a bad thing but I Do NOT want to be driving for some company in a Volvo truck ( not a fan ) I would like something more classic and is it hard to download and install new trucks. I saw an old school Kenworth that was super cool and would do that instead of a new Volvo. Or are we stuck with the included trucks until we can afford to buy one from ai jobs?

So, in the early part of the game you drive in whatever fleet level truck is provided with the load. You can then save up until you can buy your own truck. Then you just pull the trailer that goes with a load. You can also buy your own trailer but it limits the kinds of loads you take to ones compatible with your trailer.

The game only comes with modern trucks but classic trucks are available as mods through the steam workshop. The game had a built in mod manager which makes them as painless as possible with a game that updates so often. I typically rock a K100 in game. There are also a few sites that offer mods for sale though I've never gotten one some look quite nice if you want something really unique. Some mod trucks require a pretty beefy computer too, the Mack Superliner comes to mind.

[martinfan5]

On 12/19/2024 at 4:55 PM, Fat Brian said:

The traffic AI is sketchy and does some questionable maneuvering. There are also random events like lane closures that can cause you to need to detour. There are also weigh stations you have to be sure to stop at or you will get fines.

You can adjust the percentage of those random events and detours to even completely turn them off , I have them set really low, pro tip, most of the detours you can drive thru the accident without issues.

[Fat Brian]

37 minutes ago, martinfan5 said:

You can adjust the percentage of those random events and detours to even completely turn them off , I have them set really low, pro tip, most of the detours you can drive thru the accident without issues.

Yeah, I do my best to find a way to squeeze through them.

[martinfan5]

7 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

Yeah, I do my best to find a way to squeeze through them.

Nice to know I am not the only one that does that 😄

[Fat Brian]

1 minute ago, martinfan5 said:

Nice to know I am not the only one that does that 😄

I had always thought there would be some invisible wall there or something but I had one pop up in a place that was going to detour me way out of the way so I tried to get by and realized you could 

[Biggu]

and you guys are mostly operating windows 10?

[Fat Brian]

28 minutes ago, Biggu said:

and you guys are mostly operating windows 10?

I've run it on 8, 10, and 11.

[Biggu]

Thanks Brian, I am about to pull the trigger on a Thrustmaster T 300 RS GT wheel and pedals plus the TH8A shifter... I have to get the 18 speed handle yet tho.... that should get me started eh?

1 hour ago, Fat Brian said:

I've run it on 8, 10, and 11.

 

[Fat Brian]

2 hours ago, Biggu said:

Thanks Brian, I am about to pull the trigger on a Thrustmaster T 300 RS GT wheel and pedals plus the TH8A shifter... I have to get the 18 speed handle yet tho.... that should get me started eh?

 

Oh yeah, I play with a controller so any wheel is probably better. I've even played with a joystick. I mapped the throttle to the main trigger, the brakes to one of the buttons on top of the stick, the in cab look left and right control was the mini joystick on top of the stick, and I steered with the rudder control. It actually wasn't bad once I got used to it.

[Biggu]

5 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

Oh yeah, I play with a controller so any wheel is probably better. I've even played with a joystick. I mapped the throttle to the main trigger, the brakes to one of the buttons on top of the stick, the in cab look left and right control was the mini joystick on top of the stick, and I steered with the rudder control. It actually wasn't bad once I got used to it.

Holy. Thats brave. Not sure I have the co-ordination for that. Lol  I’m looking forward to giving this a go …

[Lownslow]

12 hours ago, Biggu said:

The other question I have is can you generate your own jobs like “free flight” in flight sim or do you have to go through the game jobs to get ahead ? Not that , thats a bad thing but I Do NOT want to be driving for some company in a Volvo truck ( not a fan ) I would like something more classic and is it hard to download and install new trucks. I saw an old school Kenworth that was super cool and would do that instead of a new Volvo. Or are we stuck with the included trucks until we can afford to buy one from ai jobs?

you have to do a few quick jobs, i did a few til i could afford a new Pete, the game has mods to bring in older trucks

 

[Biggu]

16 minutes ago, Lownslow said:

you have to do a few quick jobs, i did a few til i could afford a new Pete, the game has mods to bring in older trucks

 

Thats what I’m after is a good Pete. I saw a mod of an old school Kenworth that wud be super cool.