American Truck Simulator – 1.53 Update
American Truck Simulator – 1.53 update has been released in open beta. As part of the California Rework, Phase 4 offers a rework of a total of 10 cities, including Los Angeles and San Diego. The update includes the sliding tandems feature, smooth and automatic camera centering, a Special Transport speed limit update, and some UI improvements. SCS Software is also expanding log trailer support for dynamic cargo loading and unloading animations to other U.S. states.
You can provide feedback and report bugs in the section opened for 1.53 on the SCS forum.
California Rework – Phase 4
Phase 4 of the California Rework project focuses on the southern region of California and includes 10 cities, 3 of which are entirely new to the world of American Truck Simulator. Drivers working in this region can look forward to making deliveries to and from the cities of Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Mojave, Barstow, Indio, Blythe, Los Angeles, San Diego, and El Centro. Similar to previous phases, much of the original base map was removed and reworked entirely from the ground up including the cities’ surrounding areas.
The American Truck Simulator rework brings more realistic state highways, creating an incredible experience for American players. Since road networks are as important as cities, the SCS team has focused on reworking primary routes, including major coastal roads such as US-101, CA-1, and I-5. This area offers beautiful ocean views and is a route that was highly popular when ATS first launched. Additionally, other key routes like CA-58, CA-14, and CA-99, along with interstate highways I-10, I-15, I-40, and I-8, have been revamped. Some road connections to neighboring U.S. states have also been provided.
Dynamic Cargo (Un)loading Update
The dynamic cargo loading and unloading feature introduced with the 1.50 update is being expanded. Until now, we could use it with grain hopper trailers, chip van trailers, and log trailers. However, players could only experience this feature with the log trailer in Arkansas, but with the 1.53 update, they will be able to enjoy animated loading and unloading of logs in all U.S. states in the game.
Driving Academy Fifth Generation Cascadia
In the 1.53 update, The Fifth Generation Cascadia from Freightliner will be implemented into Driving Academy, brand new game module introduced in 1.52. This state-of-the-art truck is the newest addition to the ATS truck roster, and now you will have the option to try it out in various challenging scenarios in Driving Academy!
Options QoL improvement
Improvements continue in the options menu following the new interface update. When changing an option with a default value, players will now see a visual indicator whenever a setting is adjusted or moved from its default state. Options set away from their default values will now appear with a small indicator next to the setting, making it easier to identify which settings have been changed from the default.
With the 1.53 update, Automatic Camera Centering is coming to ATS. Players can now activate this new option, which automatically centers the camera after moving it, with various settings. For example, automatic centering can be set to durations between 1 to 5 seconds. If you turn the camera to the right with your mouse, it will automatically center back to the rear of the vehicle after 3 seconds. You can also set it to recenter instantly, quickly, moderately, or slowly. Players using head-tracking devices can disable this feature entirely, and it doesn’t come enabled by default after installing the update.
Special Transport Update
Also updating the Special Transport DLC. As part of the California Rework project, added a new route for truckers to haul oversized cargo – between the rebuilt cities of Los Angeles and San Diego via I-5 route.
But that’s not all. In response to community feedback, SCS Software team has decided to raise the maximum speed limit for special transport deliveries. Escort vehicles and the transport trucks themselves can now travel at speeds of up to 55 mph, an increase from the previous limit of 40 mph.
Sliding Tandems Update
In the 1.53 update, SCS Software also introducing a new sliding tandems feature. Previously, players could only set trailer axles in a fixed forward or rear position. Now, select trailers come with updated chassis, allowing players to slide the axles freely to optimize the weight distribution for their load.
But be cautious! To make this feature as realistic as possible, if the trailer’s rear axle’s distance exceeds 40 feet from the kingpin, you risk receiving a fine at California weigh stations and, in some cases, directly from the police.
Changelog
Map
- California Rework – Phase 4 release
Gameplay
- Dynamic cargo loading & unloading of logs available throughout the USA
- New Special Transport route from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Raised speed limit for Special Transport jobs from 40 mph to 55 mph
- The new Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia® added to Driving Academy
- Fully functional sliding tandems and fines system
- Visualization of changed options in the settings
- Smooth and Auto camera centering
So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It’s only an open beta, not a stable public version – so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It’s completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you’re interested in helping them to get there faster, we’ll appreciate all of your feedback on SCS’s forum and your bug reports in this section.
Please check SCS’s modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.
If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.53. No password is required. Sometimes you may have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.
