Can You Mount a Direct Drive Racing Wheel to a Cheap Stand?

We look into whether mounting a Fanatec DD1 to a Next Level Racing Wheel Stand is advisable, if at all possible.
What other racing sims would you like to see covered on this channel? Gran Turismo Sport? Forza? iRacing? Assetto Corsa? Assetto Corsa Competizione? rFactor 2? Raceroom Racing Experience? BeamNG? Automobilista 2?
Subscribe for more sim racing news, reviews & fun.
---------------------------
My Gear:
Fanatec DD1
Fanatec R330
Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2
Thrustmaster TH8A
Thrustmaster T3PA Pro
Heusinkveld Sprint Pedals
Next Level Racing Wheel Stand

[@chrisc3825]

You always make me feel so important and better than I am by calling me “legend.” Thank you, master chief.

[@jonboy2950]

Im sure that once you get your new rig setup, you will be loving driving with your DD wheel. Its also the immersion factor which increases as your equipment gets better. Hats off to your current rig though, it still manages to stay in one piece, all be it a shaky one, through all the abuse it gets.

[@arbee21]

You neglected to install two required bolts into the top of the telescopic arm and haven't even tightened the adjustment bolts down. Why did you expect it to feel sturdy when you haven't even put it together properly? I can't replicate any of that vertical flex when the stand is assembled correctly. Additionally why is it necessary for you to run the stand at max extension? Is your seat really that high off the ground? I'm using my gaming chair lowered down as far as it will go meaning I only see 5 bolt holes on the sides of the telescopic arm. The add-on seat that NLR sells is even lower again, so I'd expect to be able to lower the arm even more, making the stand even sturdier.

[@DustandFlour]

You should try the GT omega APEX wheelstand, marginally more expensive and it is quite heavy and sturdy, no flex that i have noticed with my csl elite +. maybe you could see how that one handles the podium dd ;)

[@Steffen_]

I have the same Wheelstand, and not these problems. I turned the Wheelplate that it show in my direction and fill the gap between the plate and the stans with a second metal plate. This also leads to that the wheel come closer to you, so you can widen the angle of the stand to stay better on the ground. I hope u can understand what i mean, i´m from germany.

[@aliniordachescu947]

Great video. I have one question. Does the NLR stand have rubber feet with height adjustment as the GT Omega Apex? I couldn't stop noticing in your video that when the wheel moves up and down, the movement travels through the metal bar down to the floor. Physics wise, that shouldn't happen if all 4 feet have proper contact with the ground. Based on the design, it should only be possible to maybe have the oblique bar flex or the wheel attachment not be sturdy enough to stop flexing from happening. I think this would make it easier for future buyers to understand if the wheel stand has flex by design or if it can have flex if not properly installed. Thanks

[@ADX77]

I have the DD1 on the same rig... And I have the same Thrustmaster pedals with a Bodnar load cell. Im thinking about reinforcing the stand. I'm also thinking about getting Heusinkveld Sprints.... I think that will be the end of the NL racing stand at that point.

[@ry4bfggfd]

I was going to get one of these Next Level Racing Wheel Stands for Christmas cause of the generally good reviews on the website, but going by your elite sim racer summation I may have to think twice.

[@gregvandy8902]

I have the NLR stand and a seat frame I built myself out of some spare steel tubing, bolted it to the nlr stand. My seat is real low to the ground so i have my wheel deck real low. It was real solid with the csw v2.5, working fine with the dd1, i did drill a couple holes and add a couple metal brackets to strengthen the wheel deck before I installed the DD1 but i couldn't get it to flex just trying to move it in any direction. I remember when i first got the stand before i turned it into a full cockpit, it seemed flimsy, i realized i forgot to put in the plastic spacers that go around the deck extension and push into the frame to fill the gap. Looks like what hes done, left those out. This stand works fine for a DD1 if you put it together properly and low. Make sure its together properly and its solid, yeah i reinforced mine so its stiffer than need be but i didn't need to. If you already have this stand and like it or dont wanna spend money on another, make sure it's assembled correctly, it should be real solid even with a DD base. Then if you feel the need, reinforce the wheel deck, it cost me like $5 in hardware and took a few minutes. It also looks like a proper cockpit when you have the wheel deck down low. You can add a seat and frame to this or any stand for about $50 if you are willing to do just a little work and it can be made real solid.

[@GhostRider-xi3pb]

I noticed he has his wheel stand set higher than what I got mine. Makes me wonder if that is why he has as bad flex as he does.

[@Kiahnburt40]

What nm do you run your dd1 at

[@chuckystang]

What wheel settings and in game settings do you use for Rfactor2?

[@edteach3r]

Great video, thank you, Actually, your wheel stand does better than I expected. I have been using a RennSport stand with my Fanatec CSR for 10 years now and it is unbelievably sturdy. I don’t think Fanatec sell them anymore, which is a shame.

[@draconis8412]

They do just not in the usa

[@UgoCiaccio]

Hi Ermin, how did you fix the fanatec base? Have you drilled any new holes? thank you

[@tcolley]

Love the honesty. Btw, great content. Lots of jokers out there so keep it up.

[@babouoles]

Hello Ermin, do you think the CSL DD will perform better on this wheel stand ?

[@MBimmer]

R u running the latest fanalab 1.23 and driver fw?

[@Derewen14]

how many bolts are you using on the mounting?

[@zachmcgroin4769]

What did you do to mount the shifter that low on that stand?

[@faisalero]

i got two of these Next level stands to use with fanatec CSW and i get a some flex but its negligible , but for me to eliminate the flex i got an Obutto r3volution and it feels great with DD1.

[@IhsanMujdeci]

Hey mate I know you're a fan of rf2 and asm2, what are your thoughts between them?

[@taxxxed9190]

I use this exact wheel with a T300 and CS V3's w/ BPK, and I get the same floppyness on the wheel deck. Which have resorted to putting a box inbetween my desk and wheel deck (yes i use a desk with it, as the monitor mount you can getting for it is trash.) and my pedal deck aluminium is flexing under and is starting to split at the bolt holes. But an 80/20 rig is a little outta my price to upgrade to. I probably could of got a cheap $300 AUD full rig off ebay that probably is better quality then the NLR GTUlimate. I have even seen their GTTrack still has the issue of flex in the wheel deck.

[@JSmith73]

I have the same wheelstand, yes that vertical flex can be felt even on a G27. Did you drill a hole into it through the beam for the third (front middle) screw of the Fanatec mount? Or do you perhaps have a slightly different version?

[@boedhiman]

i have the exact same stand and the exact same problem. Shame the reviewers did not mention this insane vertical flex, it makes the experience so unsatisfying

[@obione51499]

I’m wondering if you could use a wheelstandpro with a direct drive wheel

[@kramersigil7436]

Cant imagine a DD on a cheap stand hehe. My t500 mount sometimes shakes a lot. Maybe thats just a matter os correct fixing It also. Anyway, Nice vídeo, thanks for the content.

[@wayneworstenholme2454]

I was thinking about buying the rs6 rig and Fanatec 8nm DD can anyone help me with this will the rig be sturdy enough thanks

[@viniciusalvarenga828]

Excellent video, but too late for me 😭. I wonder if I could pay the difference and ask them to kindly replace this exact version for the dd version.

[@Zales-ew8ns]

which wheelstand could be good for a csl dd?

[@Rolling_Burrito]

This wheelstand paired up with the gtultimate addon with a fanatec csw2.5 and v3 pedals is really sturdy, i dont see why people are saying bad things about this wheelstand.

[@gregvandy8902]

People don't make sure its together properly, they lift the wheel deck way high, higher you go, the more flex. Plus you need to do some extra tightening, really use your head when mounting a csw 2.5 or DD to the NLR stand. Mine had 0 flex with csw 2.5, but with the DD2 i chose to add some brackets along the side plus i added a brace to the wheel deck. I already had mine all done up how i wanted and most cockpits sit higher than i prefer so i braced mine well. Its very solid and no longer looks like a wheel stand but I've spent maybe $50 total strengthening it.

[@johnl2613]

It's doable. I've tried using a DD (6-8nM) with a cheap stand but it's the newer version with the vertical support pieces. The vertical piece makes the stand stiffer so that it wont' sway from side to side when you are using the DD. I am playing Asseto Corsa now and the stand works fine. I have the modded G29 pedals with the leoboder(?) USB cable and Trubake mod too.

[@lewisbloom]

Omega Racing - APex foldable wheel stand looks similar to what you show but is rock solid, with a slightly different plate mount at the top and I just guess better build quality. Ive got one and at seeing you move your wheel I instinctively just reached out to mine to check my Oemga Apex and for sure, no movement. I believe that apex is 2nd edition so maybe your fordable stand design is first edition with the flex issues that where later fixed/mitigated in v2 of that particular design.

[@lewisbloom]

@@siclusiferx no just a little thrustmaster, but my comment was on the stand itself before he even starts driving. The mounting seems super lose and flexible when he juggles it around. There is no jiggle movement in my rig at all like that.

[@spiralmoment]

@@siclusiferx I use an simucube2 pro on a apex. its definitely doable, though I'm sure its way better with a proper rig.

[@spiralmoment]

its better than I expected.

[@aliniordachescu947]

Hahahaha I did the same thing with my GT Omega Apex wheel stand as well. Started pulling on it when I saw how much his flexes. I also don't get any flex...

[@braden9249]

I’ve got a $350 Arozzi arena gaming desk, anyone think I’d be able to use a dd wheel on it with no issues? I don’t need ffb at 100%, just curious as to whether or not the desk would be able to handle it.

Well how did it go with the table clamp? Does the DD1 feel great or do I need to buy a rig for it?

[@gregvandy8902]

I have the arozzi arena desk as well. I don't use it for sim racing but I am sure you could. That's if you made sure its together properly and everything is tight. The instructions were not great and it was a pain, mine was not solid to begin with so i flipped it over and sure enough, it was together all wrong. Now that its together properly, its solid as can be, absolutely cant make it wobble. It can certainly hold a DD wheel at higher forces if you bolt it down or use a proper clamp. Set the table as low as you can too. There's no wheel stand as solid as that desk when properly done.

[@braden9249]

Greg Vandy Thanks for the response. I’ve been using it for a while and I didn’t have many issues aside from the table scratching. But I ended up biting the bullet and bought a full on rig.

[@dark1810]

mean it dealt with it fine could likely stick a bit of wood under the wheel base and it would be grand

[@SGGameZone]

G29 or g920?

[@aleksanterihanska2459]

I have searhing vid like this❤️

[@nikhilmink]

I clamped mine to a desk by bolting to a wood plank and using C clamps to clamp to the desk. Worked way wayyyy better than this rig, well enough that I ran it like that for half a year.

[@vgamedude12]

Beamng looked so fun

[@jvs00051]

If you have a budget you have to stay within & can’t go w/ a full cockpit then time to upgrade to the Next Level DD Stand and be done with modding out their original stand.

[@jackweta]

the stand matches the car, if you've driven a 70s car its loose as a goose

[@Gigidag77]

can you: yes should you: no

[@varianto05]

and here i am jealous that anyone use cockpit :(

[@aky19832001]

You spent $2000 on the wheel and motor combined and your worried a stand? KZbinr mentality.

[@robcampbell6099]

Lol and he also cheaped out on the most important part... the pedals. Cheap thrustmaster t3pa pro pedals.

[@aky19832001]

@@robcampbell6099 lmao I just realized that. I honestly regret wasting money on cheap shit. I have a room full of thrustmaster shit.

[@christiannoack9967]

I guess Fanatec miss out a lot of money because SIM LAB can't deliver the sturdy rigs! Without the GT1-Evo there is no sense for me to order the DD1 which is a sad story for everyone included! :) greetings from germany!

[@Kalyi89]

Es gibt doch mehr wie genug Aluprofil-Hersteller auf dem Markt. Mit etwas Internetsuche kann man sich selbst ein AluRig zusammenbauen.

[@Moeeefiction]

Well i have the exactly same stand and Wheel an reduced the ffb to 60%. Well it's okay but far from good. I guess at some point i have to buy a 'new' rig

[@Aaron408]

I just ordered a dd2 and I have this wheelstand. Did you have to drill extra holes?

[@silinusvers]

@@Aaron408 what about reinforcing the stand? I have been thinking about this stand because I don't have alot of space, and I was thinking of building a box around the stand and screwing the wood to the stand.

[@theazz28]

Fanatec High end ? 😂😂

[@motchness]

roidz