Top 10 Mods Enhancing American Truck Simulator Experience

Ever dreamed of hitting the open road in a big rig? *American Truck Simulator*, the sequel to the beloved *Euro Truck Simulator 2*, is the perfect game for you. With a massive fan base and an array of superb mods, it's no wonder why it's so popular. But with thousands of mods available, where do you start? Here are the top ten mods that will significantly enhance your *ATS* experience. Keep in mind, not all mods may work well together, and some Steam Workshop entries will note this. Fortunately, you can easily disable and enable mods within the game itself.

TruckersMP

While American Truck Simulator now features a multiplayer mode, it wasn't always the case. Just like with Euro Truck Simulator 2, fans created TruckersMP, a mod that allows you and up to 63 other players to truck together. With multiple servers and a dedicated moderation team, reckless driving can lead to a ban. Although ATS's Convoy mode is fun, TruckersMP offers an even more immersive experience.

Realistic Truck Wear

In American Truck Simulator, you're stuck with the truck you're driving during a run, so taking care of it is crucial. If you crash, your truck will sustain damage, but you can repair it. The Realistic Truck Wear mod refines the damage system to be more fair and realistic. For instance, you can now retread your tires multiple times before needing a full replacement. However, this mod also increases insurance costs, encouraging safer driving. Even if you don't install it, exploring the Steam Workshop thread, which includes insights from real truckers, is a fun experience.

Sound Fixes Pack

Available for both American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2, the Sound Fixes Pack enhances the game's audio with numerous tweaks and new sounds. While you focus on the road, these subtle sound effects enrich your driving experience. From the wind whistling through open windows to the reverb under bridges, these changes add depth to the game's audio. Plus, the mod includes five new air-horns, which is always a bonus.

Real Companies, Gas Stations and Billboards

Real brands rarely appear in open-world games, but this mod brings them to life in American Truck Simulator. Inspired by games like The Getaway, which featured real London brands, this mod adds companies like Walmart, UPS, and Shell, enhancing the game's authenticity.

Realistic Truck Physics

For a more true-to-life experience, the Realistic Truck Physics mod focuses on improving vehicle suspension and other aspects without making the game overly difficult. This mod, also available for Euro Truck Simulator 2, is perfect for serious truck enthusiasts looking for a more realistic driving experience.

Ludicrously Long Trailers

If you're up for a challenge, the Ludicrously Long Trailers mod is for you. It lets you haul trailers longer than usual, making your journey more difficult but entertaining, especially for streamers. However, this mod doesn't work in multiplayer, so you won't be able to troll other players with your extended load.

Realistic Brutal Graphics and Weather

Despite its name, the Realistic Brutal Graphics and Weather mod doesn't turn American Truck Simulator into a disaster zone. Instead, it overhauls the game's weather system with new skyboxes and more realistic weather effects, including varying fog intensities. This mod enhances the visual experience without requiring a more powerful machine than the vanilla game.

Slow Traffic Vehicles

Ever been stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle on the road? The Slow Traffic Vehicles mod brings this experience to American Truck Simulator. From tractors to combine harvesters, this mod adds variety and challenge to your journey, making overtaking more satisfying.

Optimus Prime

Transformers fans, rejoice! While there isn't just one Optimus Prime skin, there are eight available. The G1 Optimus Prime mod is a favorite, but you can also find skins for his movie versions. To use these, you'll need to purchase a Freightliner FLB and apply the paint job. It's a worthwhile investment, unless you're a Decepticon looking to cheat.

More Realistic Fines

The More Realistic Fines mod makes breaking the law a bit more lenient. You can speed or run red lights without immediate fines if not caught on camera or by police. However, this risky behavior could lead to dangerous situations, so proceed with caution.

These are the ten best mods for American Truck Simulator. If you're also interested in trucking around Europe, be sure to check out the top mods for Euro Truck Simulator 2.