Trak Racer TR160 MK4 Cockpit Review

[@mattsten6936]

It's Matt Sten from Trak Racer here. Thanks for your review and suggestions. We are transitioning to have all products with ball bearings but as we started with leaf springs (I personally prefer them), we do have inventory to get through. Both work well. We are also updating the keyboard tray, I agree that it is somewhat over engineered. I'll discuss other things internally and use your feedback to improve our offering.

[@gresss]

I really like the fact that you take this kind of feedback very seriously. Continuous improvement has made this into a great product. Also please make your seats more rigid. I was planning on buying one, but having seen a lot of reviews on them the flex is a common complaint from people that like heavy pedals (like me).

[@mattsten6936]

@@gresss for most people our seats are fine but you sound like you might be suited to another brand ie FIA. We have two seats coming which address this issue later in the year - one being the Alpine Racing TRX seat.

[@gresss]

@@mattsten6936 That's great! Look forward to seeing what you are bringing to market.

[@troymcmahon3470]

Hey Matt, you have officially made if Barry is doing a review mate. Love my TR80

[@gresss]

TR160 ordered today. Excited!

[@dreadsdomain]

bro you're reviews are always kick ass. They stand the test of time and always provide MORE details than necessary which imo is great especially considering you add time stamps. You have helped me with my big purchases of VRS base and pedals as well as this rig. Keep it up brotha!

[@blacknovella]

everything i own has been through the SRG and comes with Barry's stamps of approval

[@tadragracer1947]

I am currently assembling my Trak Racer Mk4, and I can attest that the inserts I received in my kit are all the ball bearing type. I am very impressed with the online manual, so far I have had no issues. The quality of the parts I have worked with so far, have been exceptional. Thanks for your review, it has been very helpful. I am doing the build alone, so I have used a couple of techniques different to make things much easier for myself; but overall your complete build video both gave me comfort in that I could build the chassis (after all, I am 67), and helped me decide to go with the Trak Racer over the Sim Lab P1, which I could have picked up locally at my local Microcenter. (luckily, I have two within driving distance). Again, thanks for all your content; it has been very helpful to a new sim racer such as myself.

[@cptstardog3553]

Your comment, along with Barry's video, is helping me decide between a Trak Racer or a Sim Lab rig right now. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experience.

[@gresss]

Perfect timing. I've been looking for detailed reviews of the Mk. 4. This has all the detail I was looking for 🙂 Thanks Barry!

[@w4stedspace]

Perfect, thanks! Was just trying to decide between the GT Omega Prime, the SimLab P1-X and this, and this was the only one you hadn't given the SRG treatment - thanks a ton for what you do, couldn't ask for more!

[@mattsten6936]

Matt Sten, founder of TR here. I hope it helped. We have applied experience gained since 2008 in the sim racing industry to bring you this beast.

[@p0rt]

Yeah I agree the seat is terrible. The bottom sags when you sit in it too. The only fiberglass is holding the inserts for the bolts and the instant you put weight on it that starts cracking. Edit. The profile is covered in metal shavings and sealed in plastic which ends up everywhere.

[@Weelosd]

Just paid for my simtrecs pedals yesterday as they are ready to ship. Seeing you still use these confirmed I made the right choice. Great video!

[@barrymanon9459]

The best pedals! Bought many other brands even Asetek’s!

[@bjornromermann5080]

I already have mine. Still super happy with them. Yeah it is reassuring to see Barry still using them.

[@steveracer1985]

Got my Mk4 last year and albeit the packages arrived a bit separated, they got to me in the end. Email support was quick enough to respond. As for the rig, due to the shorter distance that is available to me, I have installed everything slightly differently but the whole thing still works, so if you need the rear end to be flat you can adapt the rig to do this. The 160 Mk4 is perfectly rigid and stable and I can say, even being on castor wheels, on carpet, this thing does not move. If you have a carpet the castors are going to be fine without any movement. I have a Simucube 2 Pro with 25Nm and I can attest that this thing is as solid as it gets, no flex or movement anywhere. I have mounted 4 50W bass shakers on each of the corners to simulate each wheel separately and I must say, with this rig it only gets better with motion actuators. Absolutely awesome rig and highly likely I will never have to buy another again. Fantastic rig for a great price (cheaper than the PX-1) and couldn't be happier. Well built, packaged and is super solid.

[@aperturescience2]

Barry you have the keyboard mount the wrong way

[@Lurch-11]

DAMMIT Barry you're better than this!

[@larry9167]

Actually, I think if the keyboard tray was flat... I would prefer the way he mounted it. Who uses a keyboard to the side anyway?

[@Sir_Jake15]

What a legend. So glad I found this channel.

[@j1akey]

I just built one of these a few weeks ago also and I got a mix of the spring balls and leaf t-nuts. The spring balls were definitely easier to work with.

[@mattsten6936]

Thank you for your support. We are transitioning to ball but but still have a lot of inventory with the spring leaf which still works well.

[@Smokabis]

I've had this rig for a bit over a year now with the same seat and I love it. I think the seat is great value for money in Australia, costing me the equivalent of $250 USD here, over $100 cheaper. Nothing available round here for that price at the same quality.

[@blinkybillski]

Yeah those leaf spring nuts were a headache for me. Prob my biggest or only complaint, oh an 8 did have a lot of the metal filings left in the wrapping. Which is something to remember if you plan on building in your home as a pose to a srg like Barry here.

[@cloosat]

Barry's place needs to be open to the public on the weekend for a fee and have some fun there 😁 Damn you covid!

[@Hellknight27]

I got mine on Monday after waiting 4 months for local stock to arrive here in NZ. Only got leaf springs with the castor wheels, rest are spring balls. Now just waiting for the bass shaker mount to arrive so I can finish assembling it. I'd say Trak Racer need to improve on communication, as I heard nothing from them after ordering - without directly contacting them (which doesn't feel great after spending so much money). When I ordered it said "stock arriving soon", then was continually updated on their site to be arriving every few weeks for months till it did arrive - a few weeks after ordering it briefly said it wouldn't be arriving till now, and a rep from the company told me on another review it would be mid-June at the latest. I realise shipping is a nightmare currently, but the communication could still be better. Especially considering the money is taken straight away, and not just a hold put on your card.

[@mattsten6936]

Matt Sten, CEO and Founder of TR here. I'm very disappointed to see this and I'll be addressing with my team. Thank you for your support and patience.

[@MrSwann5408]

Just ordered mine cant wait!!!

[@thenic123]

SRG need some T-shirts and other Merch with "So...Lets Get To It" on 'em. C'mon Barry R. Make it happen Please.

[@dieselpower718]

You are my Bob Ross.

[@Cliff_the_hobbygeek]

Thanks for the great review. I have a feeling that this will be my upgrade from the NLR GT Lite I’m using. I like the NRG Prizm seat you use in other videos. Do you think it would work for a 38” waist? I’m a bit fluffy.

[@Skovsnegl]

Thanks for the full review and build - Awesome as always. I was just wondering, have you thought about upgrade your camera to accommodate 1440p resolution? I know on a episode of 2 hours the file is going to be 2x the size but the resolution would be nicer to view at with less screen tearing.

[@SMOKEY-Junior]

Hello Barry Would you please look into a F GT lite from nx level racing? Need a foldable cockpit with more a F1 seating position and your reviews are 2nd to none 🙏

[@AdamOutlaw87]

MPI makes awesome seats that are coming out soon and Max Papis dont mess around, his wheels are the best there is I have 3 of them

[@fataldragon69]

Nice looking rig !! Which shifter is that you're using here ?? Also, I thought you would've shown us a lot more angles of the rig in-use.....Would've been nice to see various shots from the side and front etc. !! EDIT:- Sorted Spelling.

[@widerfov]

I bought this rig, and the same pedal plate option. I thought the pedals were still too low for an F1 position. I mounted two 610mm long 120s to the uprights and raised the pedals about a foot or so. I thought I may have to add a couple supports at the ends with hard braking but nope, this thing is rock solid. The GT seat I received is a little warped to the left. I had to twist it about 1/2in to the right before tightening it down to make it look and feel straight.... so yeah the seat kinda sucks.

[@dotnetdevni]

The biggest issue I see is getting in and out of these rigs they should have a hinge system as standard.,

[@simooli94]

Hi Barry, what is your opinion after 2 years from the review of the vrs wheel base? In now become Better?

[@MalcomMcLeod]

I installed my seat sliders the opposite way. I think Barry installed it upside down? Maybe it doesn't matter though.

[@bigredracingteam9642]

It seems so.

[@brentonedwards]

We literally use Blu Tack for everything here in Australia, is it not common in USA or something?

[@ThomasMooreNetworkingGuy]

What keyboard mount did you have on your daily driver?

[@dotnetdevni]

I am about to pull the plug on this TR160 Mk4 Flight Simulator as there form the uk and I am also want to give them my custom. One thing though I didnt see was an easy way to mount a centre stick. Also on there sight I DIDNT see any hotas system on there site yet they so it on the rig but a couldnt see the plates for ordering them in uk?

[@dotnetdevni]

Where the parts in bags with lables on them first this would confuse me to build it without

[@christiananastasi170]

Im waiting for mine to be shipped

[@13ruedelsimracing]

Great review, thank you. I have an important question for you. I got a simlab P1 cockpit and i need some accesories. I was wonder if I could buy some accesories form Track Racer and put them in my Simlab P1x. It will save me heaps of money on delivery since I live in Australia. Thank you again.🙂

[@jhnnsr]

I guess it should work, since both cockpits are made from alu profile..

[@mattsten6936]

Yes they are all compatible.

[@dohctorclark]

Support this man on Patreon!

[@andyholmes9485]

Thanks for the vid Barry. Can I ask what button plate you are using for the Turn rim? Cheers

[@menacegtr]

Barry, you really should reply to legitimate questions about your videos. I think he is using an older carbon Asher button plate with the dual clutch and gear shifters, he refers to it as his favourite button plate to use, Hope that helps you😃

[@Abu-SaaD85]

Should I install 3 40-inch 4K or ARP HD screens?

[@marcobaiocco]

Can you recommend any seat (and shop that sells it)?

[@truejayoh]

Do you like the simtrex or heusinkveld sprints?

[@PepeandFlara]

Barry. You mention that there are better seat options. Care to elaborate? Planning on purchasing a TR160 but the seat is the holdup for me. Thanks.

[@kingcarrot6355]

Save yourself some headache and buy sim-lab instead 🙂

[@mattsten6936]

@@kingcarrot6355 no headaches with Trak Racer. Things have changed since 2020. But Simlab is still a good brand - happy racing.

[@Chomper1978]

Is it possible to mount the caster wheels to face "inwards" as opposed to outwards ? Can't see that it would affect stability ?

[@timothywest1183]

Inwards you wouldn’t be able to lock them (if they have the lock mechanism: I didn’t look that closely)

[@Chomper1978]

I did end up mounting them inwards so no toe stub on the wheels 😊. Works perfect. It's an awesome rig.

[@reganstevenson9532]

did you bolt the sliders upside down

[@funhobbiesunlimited]

Hello, do you plan to give us the test of the Alpine Racing TRX of trak racer which will be available in the fourth quarter of 2022?🤔

[@mattsten6936]

100% we at Trak Racer would like Barry's tick of approval on it.

[@funhobbiesunlimited]

@@mattsten6936 I hope you will have it.

[@Ghostface22x]

what sparco seat are you running in your main rig assuming its still the P1-X

[@jeelux]

Hey what monitors are you using?

[@joeman625]

Trak Racer has the worst customer service I have ever experienced. There was a critical part missing and they closed the ticket after months without rectifying. There are many companies that make close to identical frames. I would go with anyone but Trak Racer.

[@AlexairwayL995]

Can i use the NLR ES1 seat with this rig? Thnx

[@vvtt1823]

Has anyone found what are the torque specs for all bolts?

[@nelchan2421]

Pxn V10 Review?

[@ghastous]

What about the other seats are any of them good like the GT or the recliners. Would love to know if anyone as any of the others and there feedback as im looking at this cockpit and its really took my fancy

[@jerry84884]

Will the pedal mount support HE Ultimates sufficiently without base plate? Or is it recommended to have the base plate from HE?

[@mattsten6936]

you will not need the HE base plate with Trak Racer.

[@jordancollier6716]

Is there a seat or video you would recommend in place of the trak racer seat?

[@adamlitchfield3371]

He said it in the video dude, NRG Prisma I think 👍

[@jordancollier6716]

@@adamlitchfield3371 so much to take in and note taking, appreciate you saying that Adam Litchfield. Thanks!

[@Simcadepro]

That gantry is to over kill. why couldnt they have it mounted on top of the profile than on the side. just doesnt make sense in so many ways. also the keyboard mounted assembly would be mounted on the opposite side so why would some one have it under the leg or have leg room. the angle is perfect as its give a cockpit keyboard style

[@mattsten6936]

Thank you for your suggestions. Matt Sten, Founder and CEO @ TR here.

[@AverageJoeVet]

I just made my purchase today. Any tips/advice when putting it together? I also got the integrated monitor mount do you have any experience with it?

[@chuckystang]

Regardless of how careful, expect scratches to occur during installation haha

[@AverageJoeVet]

@@chuckystang a little touch up paint will work just fine though right?

[@c04b27]

@@AverageJoeVet marker pen too lol

[@Hellknight27]

Use a combination square. I also am using one hand clamps as an extra pair of hands to assemble mine currently.

[@gresss]

What is the weight of this rig?

[@bigredracingteam9642]

I don't have the exact number, but it's quite heavy (around 40-50 kg with equipment mounted, I'd say.) My advice is using caster wheels if you want to move it around (and you'll probably want to, once in a while.)

[@gresss]

@@bigredracingteam9642 Thank you. Yeah I am planning on buying the wheels. I couldn't find any exact weight info anywhere on their site. Kinda important to know if/when calculating exact weight limits on a future motion platform.

[@Hellknight27]

On my invoice it was 86kg with the hybrid inverted pedal mount and TR One Universal wheel deck plus castor wheels.

[@gresss]

@@Hellknight27 Thank you! Was that with a seat?

[@Hellknight27]

@@gresss Nope, no seat. 86.7KG just for the chassis with those options I posted.

[@bigredracingteam9642]

I'm a little disappointed. I sat here waiting to see Barry struggling (like many of us) with mounting the seat on those pesky sliders, and then he didn't even use them.

[@alainvandeuren8654]

Hello les racers, je suis très amère et en colère contre Trakracer ; j'ai commandé un châssis TR80 le 02/01/2024, payé le solde et je n'ai aucune nouvelle de leur part. J'ai déjà envoyé deux emails et ils ne répondent pas !!! Je précise qu'au moment de passer commande, tout était de stock (siège, châssis, accessoires) Qu'ils aient des problèmes de livraison peut se comprendre mais qu'ils ne prennent pas la peine de répondre à mes inquiétudes me désole (c'est quand même un beau budget) J'ai par contre compris pourquoi ils ne que des commentaires élogieux : ils ne publient pas les avis négatifs... Réfléchissez à deux reprises avant de passer commande chez eux...

[@liono510]

Keyboard mount is def wrong

[@TA7CH]

Customer service from track racer is absolutely shocking Which is a shame because they have some nice products

[@mattsten6936]

Marc, Matt Sten, CEO and Founder of TR here. I'm very disappointed and if this is a recent experience for you, im surprised to hear this. Our team has grown a lot and now respond to most support tickets and calls within 24 hours.

[@3duder]

Watching this video would take a lot longer than just putting the thing together according to the manual. I think sometime you tend to over complicate things. Sorry bout that.

[@misterdog7]

Use the timestamps

[@younghumphrey06]

Its a review not a tutorial .

[@3duder]

@@younghumphrey06 well… he’s always wanting to do things different than the manufacturer intended. Going into details that actually don’t even matter if you just buy the thing and set it up.

[@WesmacWorldwide]

@@3duder Tell us you’ve never put one of these together without telling us.. Takes on average 8hrs. Some up 10/11hrs, by people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Have a bit of respect for the man. He does the most in depth, detailed reviews of sim racing hardware you’ll find anywhere on KZbin. Guys a legend. He’s TOO nice, and doesn’t like offending anyone, if anything.

[@3duder]

@@WesmacWorldwide My bad if it looks like I’m trying to offend. I’m not. I’m just quite blunt in communicating on/offline. Just not so handy, just straightforward. I love this channel and am following already for years, but cannot help to get itchy sometimes when something simple seems complicated because of the in depth review and mentioning of various possibilities.

[@Bust_A_Nut_bar]

Trak Racer have up their game on cockpit rigidity Now they seriously need to do the same on their seats

[@Bust_A_Nut_bar]

I only like using the profile and T-nuts that Simlabs use I’ve got a tv stand with leaf springs and they’re a pain to work with and trying to adjust the height on a big heavy tv is a nightmare