SCS Software launched American Truck Simulator in February 2016 with California and Nevada, then spent the next decade adding states one map expansion at a time, from Arizona through Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. The world runs at roughly 1:20 scale, so a Los Angeles to Denver haul takes real hours rather than real days, and the 80,000 pound federal gross weight limit governs what you can legally put behind the cab. You start as a hired driver taking quick jobs, and end up running a company with garages, hired drivers and a fleet you specified engine by engine.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenworth W900 | S | Long interstate hauls where character matters more than tight dock manoeuvring. | The long nose conventional with a huge hood and a classic cab. |
| Peterbilt 389 | A | Players building a signature truck they will look at for hundreds of hours. | The other long nose icon, heavily customisable with chrome, exhaust stacks and lighting. |
| Volvo VNL | A | High mileage economy runs and hazmat work where predictability beats style. | A modern aerodynamic cab with excellent visibility and a comfortable interior. |
| Freightliner Cascadia | B | New players who want one truck that does every job type competently. | The most common truck on real American highways, and in game it is the efficient all rounder. |
| International LoneStar | B | Drivers who want classic styling without the parking penalty of a full length hood. | A retro styled modern truck with a distinctive front end. |
S-Tier: Kenworth W900
The long nose conventional with a huge hood and a classic cab. Handling suffers from the length, but it is the truck most players picture when they think of American trucking.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Long interstate hauls where character matters more than tight dock manoeuvring. |
| Key Mechanic | Job types and the freight market |
| Recommended Build | Long Distance |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Kenworth W900: Pairs naturally with Long Distance thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Peterbilt 389
The other long nose icon, heavily customisable with chrome, exhaust stacks and lighting. Same trade as the W900: presence over practicality.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Players building a signature truck they will look at for hundreds of hours. |
| Key Mechanic | Driver skills and ADR training |
| Recommended Build | High Value Cargo |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Peterbilt 389: Pairs naturally with High Value Cargo thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Volvo VNL
A modern aerodynamic cab with excellent visibility and a comfortable interior. Fuel economy and ease of parking make it the sensible working choice.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | High mileage economy runs and hazmat work where predictability beats style. |
| Key Mechanic | Garages, hired drivers and company growth |
| Recommended Build | Fragile Cargo |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Volvo VNL: Pairs naturally with Fragile Cargo thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Freightliner Cascadia
The most common truck on real American highways, and in game it is the efficient all rounder. Good engine options across the power range and easy to place at a dock.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | New players who want one truck that does every job type competently. |
| Key Mechanic | Truck configuration and engine choice |
| Recommended Build | Just In Time Delivery |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Freightliner Cascadia: Pairs naturally with Just In Time Delivery thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: International LoneStar
A retro styled modern truck with a distinctive front end. It sits between the classic long noses and the aerodynamic cabs on both looks and practicality.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Drivers who want classic styling without the parking penalty of a full length hood. |
| Key Mechanic | Fatigue, fines and cargo damage |
| Recommended Build | ADR hazardous materials |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using International LoneStar: Pairs naturally with ADR hazardous materials thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear California
- Peterbilt 389 → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Volvo VNL → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Kenworth W900 → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Buy your own trailer before buying a second truck. Owning the trailer means you keep the full delivery fee on freight market jobs instead of splitting it, and that difference funds the rest of the company faster than another cab ever will.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More American Truck Simulator Guides
- American Truck Simulator American Truck Simulator Overview
- American Truck Simulator Best Builds
- American Truck Simulator Tier List
- American Truck Simulator Walkthrough
- American Truck Simulator Beginner's Guide
- American Truck Simulator Tips & Tricks
- American Truck Simulator Combat Guide
- American Truck Simulator Boss Guide
- American Truck Simulator Maps & Locations
- American Truck Simulator Crafting Guide
- American Truck Simulator Classes & Characters
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