Getting Started with Euro Truck Simulator 2 Modding

Euro Truck Simulator 2 modding is mature and well-tooled. Subscribe via Workshop or drop mods into the folder, configure load order in the in-game Mod Manager, drive. This guide walks the standard install on current ETS2.

Step 1 — Subscribe through Workshop

Open the ETS2 Workshop. Subscribe to mods.

Three popular first picks:

• Real Companies, Gas Stations & Logos — replaces in-game generic brands with real-world equivalents (BP, Shell, IKEA, etc.). Cosmetic but transformative.
• A truck mod matching your favourite manufacturer (Mercedes, Scania, Volvo, MAN).
• Sound mod pack — improves engine and ambient audio.

Workshop subscriptions auto-download.

Step 2 — Configure in Mod Manager

In-game Mod Manager (Main Menu → Mod Manager). Your subscribed mods appear in the right pane (Available).

Drag mods to the left pane (Active). Order matters:

• Cosmetic mods (sound packs, lighting) load first.
• Truck mods load next.
• Trailer / cargo mods after trucks.
• Map mods generally load last (or per the map mod's specific instructions for the SCS DLC interactions).

Save the configuration.

Step 3 — Optional: install a map mod

The headline ETS2 mods are map extensions:

• ProMods — the largest ETS2 map mod. Adds dozens of cities, refines existing roads, complements SCS's official DLC maps. Massive download (10+ GB).
• RusMap — adds Russia and the Caucasus.
• Project Balkans — adds detailed Balkan-region roads and cities.

Each map mod has specific load-order requirements relative to SCS's official map DLCs (Going East, Beyond the Baltic Sea, Heart of Russia, etc.). Read the map mod's documentation carefully.

Step 4 — Save game compatibility

ETS2 saves embed the active mod set:

• Truck mod added. Usually safe — just appears in dealer.
• Truck mod removed while owned in profile. Vehicle vanishes from your garage. Backups recommended.
• Map mod changed. Profile likely invalid; start fresh.

For complex map mod combinations, start a new profile rather than risk corruption.

Step 5 — Multiplayer (TruckersMP)

ETS2's official multiplayer is via the community TruckersMP mod (a separate launcher and client). TruckersMP has its own mod restrictions — most truck and map mods don't work in TruckersMP. Read the TruckersMP rules before configuring expectations.

Common gotchas

• Mod doesn't appear in Mod Manager. Workshop sync failed. Restart Steam, verify ETS2 files.
• ProMods + SCS DLC conflict. ProMods has detailed load-order instructions per DLC combination. Follow them exactly.
• Game crashes loading profile. Mod removed that the profile depends on. Re-enable, save fresh, then reconfigure.
• Performance dropped. Large map mods especially are heavy. Disable mods you're not currently using.
• TruckersMP refuses your mods. TruckersMP only allows specific mod types. Read their compatibility list.

The American Truck Simulator (ATS) modding guide covers the parallel game, with the same architecture but a separate mod catalog: American Truck Simulator guide.