Written by SCS Software has rolled out the ETS2 1.61 livestock trailer update, a major overhaul of the Livestock Trailer in Euro Truck Simulator 2 that replaces the long-running belly-axle design with a completely new chassis, fresh customization options, and reworked AI traffic variants. The change was announced directly on the Euro Truck Simulator 2 Steam news page as part of update 1.61, and it’s one of the more substantial trailer reworks the game has seen in years. For simracers who track every patch, this article breaks down exactly what changed, why it matters, and how the update fits into our broader Sim Updates coverage.
What’s New in the ETS2 1.61 Livestock Trailer Update
The headline feature of Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.61 is the ground-up rework of the Livestock Trailer, the specialized unit used to haul live animals across Europe. Instead of a minor visual touch-up, SCS Software rebuilt the trailer from the chassis up, changing how it looks, how it’s configured, and how it behaves both for players and for AI-driven traffic on the road.
This isn’t the first time SCS has revisited older trailer models in Euro Truck Simulator 2 — the studio has a history of returning to legacy assets to bring them up to current visual and mechanical standards. The Livestock Trailer had kept its original belly-axle layout for a long time, so this rework brings it in line with the more modern trailer designs already present in the game, and it sets a clear precedent for future overhauls of other older equipment.
- Complete removal of the old belly-axle chassis design
- New lowered chassis with dual wheels
- Two selectable frame variants: Straight 3 Axle and Lowered 3 Axle
- Choice between aluminum bodywork or a fully paintable body
- Expanded accessory catalog for deeper customization
- New liveries with up to 4 customizable color sections
- Updated Freight Market and AI traffic versions with refreshed company liveries
Livestock Trailer Rework Explained
At the core of the ETS2 1.61 livestock trailer update is a new chassis architecture. The old belly-axle setup — where the axle assembly sat in a lowered pocket beneath the trailer bed — has been retired entirely. In its place, SCS Software has introduced a lowered chassis fitted with dual wheels, giving the trailer a cleaner, more contemporary silhouette that better matches recent additions to the Euro Truck Simulator 2 trailer roster. Players can now choose between two frame configurations, Straight 3 Axle and Lowered 3 Axle, each offering a distinct stance and handling feel. Bodywork has also been expanded beyond the classic aluminum finish to include a fully paintable option, opening the door to custom liveries and company branding. Combined with a wider accessory catalog and refreshed AI traffic models, the rework turns what was once a rigid, single-look unit into one of the most customizable trailers currently available in Euro Truck Simulator 2.
Players now get to pick between the two frame configurations before hitting the road, and each offers a slightly different stance, giving simracers more freedom to match the trailer to their preferred driving style or company aesthetic. It’s a level of choice the Livestock Trailer simply didn’t offer before.
Bodywork choice has also been expanded. Truckers can opt for a classic aluminum finish or go with a fully paintable body, opening the door to custom liveries and company branding that weren’t previously possible on this trailer type. Combined with the new frame options, this effectively turns the Livestock Trailer from a fairly rigid, single-look unit into a customizable piece of equipment that virtual trucking companies can finally brand properly.
Animal Welfare Mechanics
While SCS Software’s announcement centers on structural and visual changes, the rework touches the core identity of the Livestock Trailer: a unit built around transporting live cargo. The dynamic weight-shift behavior that has always set livestock hauling apart from static freight in Euro Truck Simulator 2 remains the trailer’s signature trait, and the new chassis is designed to carry that experience forward on a more modern, better-integrated platform.
The accessory list plays into this too. New additions include water tanks and side protection panels — details that reinforce the trailer’s purpose of keeping live cargo secure and cared for during long hauls, rather than just dressing up the model for looks.
Visual and Physics Improvements
Beyond the chassis swap, SCS Software has added a long list of customizable accessories to the Livestock Trailer. Truckers can now equip storage boxes, water tanks, side protection panels, tarps, mudguards, additional lights, rear bumpers, rubber mudflaps, a spare wheel, and a fire extinguisher. Each of these can be mixed and matched, letting players build a trailer that fits their fleet’s look or simply their own taste.
The livery system has also been upgraded. Where the old model offered limited paint options, the reworked trailer supports liveries with up to four independently customizable color sections, giving virtual trucking companies far more room to create distinctive, brand-consistent looks across their livestock fleet.
How to Get the ETS2 1.61 Update
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is distributed through Steam, and updates like 1.61 are delivered automatically to players who own the game on that platform. There’s no separate download or manual installation required — Steam handles the patch the next time the client is launched, provided automatic updates are enabled for the title.
Players who prefer to test new builds before they go fully live can also check whether the update is available through Euro Truck Simulator 2’s public beta branch on Steam, a route SCS Software regularly uses to gather early feedback on major changes like this one. Back up your save files and check mod compatibility before updating: a rework of this scale — new chassis, new accessories, new liveries — can affect mods built around the previous Livestock Trailer model. If you’re unsure which mods touch this trailer, our Euro Truck Simulator 2 coverage is a good place to cross-check compatibility notes as they come in.
Community Reactions So Far
The Livestock Trailer has long been a favorite among Euro Truck Simulator 2 players who enjoy the added challenge of hauling live cargo, thanks to its distinctive weight-shift physics compared to standard freight. A full visual and structural rework of a trailer this recognizable has already sparked discussion on forums and social channels, and the expanded customization options — particularly the paintable body and four-section livery system — are the kind of changes that virtual trucking companies and livery designers have been asking for on other trailer types for a while, echoing feedback we’ve tracked across our SCS Software update coverage.
The addition of AI traffic and Freight Market updates also means the new design won’t just be something players see in their own garage — it’ll show up on the road, driven by other companies, which adds to the sense that this is a full-scale replacement rather than a cosmetic patch.
Livestock Trailer: Before vs After
| Feature | Before (Pre-1.61) | After (ETS2 1.61) |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis design | Belly-axle layout | Lowered chassis with dual wheels |
| Frame options | Single fixed configuration | Straight 3 Axle or Lowered 3 Axle |
| Bodywork | Fixed aluminum finish | Aluminum or fully paintable |
| Accessories | Limited options | Storage boxes, water tanks, side panels, tarps, lights, and more |
| Livery sections | Minimal customization | Up to 4 customizable color sections |
| Traffic/Freight Market | Old model in AI traffic | Reworked model with updated company liveries |
FAQ: ETS2 1.61 Livestock Trailer Update
Here are quick answers to the most common questions simracers are asking about the ETS2 1.61 livestock trailer update.
- What exactly changed in the Livestock Trailer?
- SCS Software replaced the old belly-axle chassis with a new lowered chassis featuring dual wheels, added two frame variants, introduced a paintable body option, and expanded the accessory and livery customization options.
- Is the update automatic on Steam?
- Yes. Euro Truck Simulator 2 updates through Steam are applied automatically when the client is launched, as long as automatic updates are enabled for the game.
- Do I need to buy a DLC to access the new trailer?
- The announcement doesn’t tie the rework to a specific paid DLC; it describes changes to the base Livestock Trailer, its Freight Market variant, and AI traffic versions.
- Will the rework affect my mods?
- Any mod built around the previous Livestock Trailer model could be affected by a chassis and accessory overhaul of this scope, so checking mod compatibility after updating is recommended.
- Does the trailer still simulate live animal movement?
- The dynamic cargo behavior that defines livestock hauling in Euro Truck Simulator 2 remains part of the trailer’s identity; the rework focuses on chassis, visuals, and customization rather than removing that core mechanic.
Conclusion
The ETS2 1.61 livestock trailer update is more than a cosmetic pass — it’s a structural rebuild that modernizes one of the game’s more distinctive trailer types. Between the new chassis options, paintable bodywork, expanded accessories, and richer livery system, SCS Software has given both solo drivers and virtual trucking companies a lot more to work with. Combined with the matching updates to the Freight Market and AI traffic versions, the new trailer will be visible across the map as soon as the patch lands on your install. Whether you’re a longtime livestock hauler or just curious about what’s changed, it’s worth firing up Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam and seeing the rework firsthand.
Source: store.steampowered.com
