Features:
- Freight pays roughly 30% less than vanilla rates
- Cargo damage costs $15 per 1% of damage
- Abandoning a job costs $5,000
- Fines reduced by 30% with no change to detection
- Leveling is about 2.5 times slower than vanilla
- Used trucks show 25,000–250,000 miles with hidden wear
- Loans range from $50,000 to $200,000 at 6–8% interest
- Garage mortgage option of $180,000 at 5% over ten years
- Cabin, chassis, and trailer body wear continuously while driving
- Hired drivers earn a flat $25 per hour plus $25 per day away
- Recruitment costs $500 per hire
- Fleet diesel and upkeep charged at realistic rates
Real Trucking Economy reworks the financial side of American Truck Simulator, turning it into a tighter, more deliberate business simulation. Freight income drops, penalties grow sharper, and progression slows down so that every delivery and every hire feels meaningful.
The mod touches seven core game files covering freight pay, fines, career leveling, used truck condition, loans, part wear, and driver wages. Used trucks now carry real mileage and hidden wear across major components, while permanent damage repairs add extra overhead beyond parts cost. Loans and a garage mortgage option let players finance growth carefully instead of expanding recklessly.
Hired drivers are paid a flat hourly wage plus a per-day allowance instead of mileage or job bonuses, and recruitment carries its own cost. Running a larger fleet means balancing diesel and upkeep expenses against cargo quality, rewarding smart route and crew management.
This mod suits players who want a slower, economy-driven playthrough focused on strategic fleet building rather than quick profits. It works on existing saves and can be removed cleanly at any time.
