Smells like fish — Truck Sim Diaries

Описание: An early morning in Umeå, Sweden.
Cold air, the smell of the ocean drifting in from nowhere, and the quiet comfort of being home — even when you’re about to leave again.

In this episode of Truck Sim Diaries, Euro Truck Simulator 2 becomes the backdrop for a long, unscripted drive from Umeå to Gothenburg, hauling Atlantic cod fillets for Polar Fish as part of a volume contract. A new type of rigid truck enters the picture, bringing longer length, extra pivot points, and a steep learning curve — especially when it’s time to reverse.

Along the road, the focus drifts between gameplay and life:

Learning how to maneuver and reverse a long rigid truck with a dolly

Navigating EU driving and rest time regulations, and what they would mean in real life

The mental weight of winter, routines, and seasonal depression

Balancing personal needs with family life and responsibility

Thoughts on work, identity, and the urge to change things that may not actually need changing

The episode also includes:

A deep dive into driving hours, breaks, extensions, and tachograph rules

Missed planning, delays, and a sleep-time infringement

A childhood memory involving a disappointing celebrity encounter — and a healing one later in life

Light question segments that open up reflections on senses, habits, and everyday comforts

This series is unscripted.
Sometimes it’s about trucks.
Sometimes it’s about life.
Sometimes it’s just thinking out loud while the road moves beneath you.

If you’re here for the drive, the reflections, or just some quiet company — I’m glad you’re here.

Game & episode details:

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Nordic environment with real-world date, weather, and daylight simulation

Rigid truck with dolly trailer (25.25 m configuration)

Polar Fish volume contract: Atlantic cod fillets

Simulated EU driving & rest regulations

-----

Useful links:

Contract overview video:    • Contract introduction: Frozen Routes of Eu...  

Contract slides: https://www.trucksimdiaries.com/polar...

-----

Timestamps

00:00 – Morning in Umeå
Cold air, the smell of home, and resetting the mindset

01:15 – What Truck Sim Diaries Is
Unscripted thoughts, gameplay, and why this series exists

01:45 – A New Kind of Truck
Introducing the 25.25 m rigid truck and why it’s different

03:20 – Two Pivot Points, Big Problems
Why reversing this setup is a whole new challenge

03:56 – Frozen Routes of Europe Recap
Volume contract goals and today’s plan with Polar Fish

05:00 – Realistic Gameplay Rules
Weather mods, real dates, and EU driving/rest regulations

05:46 – Rolling Out of Umeå
First impressions driving the new truck

06:35 – Learning to Reverse (The Hard Way)
Training videos, truck school, and unlearning old habits

09:10 – EU Driving Hours Explained
4.5 hours, 45-minute breaks, and mental math on the road

11:25 – Arrival at Polar Fish
Preparing for the first real test: loading and parking

12:15 – Reversing Attempts Begin
Talking through every mistake (and frustration)

15:30 – Multiple Do-Overs
Jackknifing, resets, and slow improvement

19:10 – Finally Getting It Right
Understanding dolly angles and small adjustments

24:10 – The “Hide the Lights” Trick
A practical reversing tip that actually works

26:15 – Cargo Loaded
Disconnecting, repositioning, and hooking back up

28:30 – Back on the Road
Daylight returns and winter routines

30:20 – Winter Fatigue
Cold, seasonal depression, and staying functional

33:20 – Focus vs Escape
Gaming, routines, and missing total immersion

35:40 – Family and Balance
Why focusing only on yourself doesn’t work

39:10 – Priorities as a Parent
Teaching kids that your happiness matters too

43:15 – First Mandatory Rest Stop
Timing stress and EU rules in practice

44:00 – Driving Hours Deep Dive
Daily, weekly, and bi-weekly limits explained

47:30 – Could I Be a Trucker?
Curiosity vs reality of the lifestyle

49:50 – Unexpected Delays
Traffic, inspections, and plans falling apart

52:40 – Why Trucking Isn’t My Calling
Interest without the commitment

55:40 – Question Segment Begins
Rudest celebrity story and a childhood letdown

1:31:00 – Kids Deserve Respect
Why dismissing children leaves scars

1:34:00 – A Better Hero
Meeting an author who did it right

1:38:10 – Choosing the Adult Option
Stopping early instead of pushing limits

1:41:00 – Coffee, Routines, and Small Comforts
Espresso, tea, and gas station culture

1:48:30 – Parenting Rant
Ice skating birthdays and shared suffering

1:55:40 – Another Question
Which sense could you live without?

2:01:50 – Running Out of Time
Breaking the rules and printing an excuse

2:06:30 – Final Parking Struggle
Tight turns, low air pressure, and patience

2:15:30 – Infringement Accepted
Breaking the rules and owning it

2:16:40 – Job Summary
Stats, fuel usage, and contract progress

2:18:15 – Closing Thoughts
Gratitude, self-care, and signing off