My old man is a stoic, rug-on-Valium kind of guy, and it takes a lot to make him shriek like a horror movie starlet. That said, I do recall seeing him on the verge of this as he clawed at the dash of my ‘86 Ford Laser during my very first L’s lesson. It would be the one and only father-son attempt we’d make. He gladly shelled out for professional lessons (and possibly therapy for himself) the next day.
Somehow, it’s now 30 years later, and that fond memory now terrifies me. Soon, I’ll have to repeat the exact same process, albeit riding shotgun as I watch my eldest son “drive.” To put that danger into sharper focus, he’s been raised on a diet of Burnout games and the drift-centric anime called Initial D.
Being an ideas man who values his continued existence, I thought to get ahead of the problem by taking the simulator route. More specifically, I kitted up my already tricked-out R12 Moza racing cockpit with a multi-function stalk to recreate an “in traffic” driver’s experience.
Also, I got them because they just looked cool as hell. I selfishly wanted one for my own Euro Truck Simulator 2 sessions.
When I combined said Truck-fest with an SUV mod, a VR headset to let him check blind spots, and an H-shifter (because I do this fathering business right), he and I put this nifty peripheral through its paces. We can get right to that process if you click here; otherwise, let me showcase the considerable, maybe just pay for lessons price of admission for this setup.
The Multi-stalk Test Setup
A Premium Peripheral Stalked
These Multi-function Stalks deliver a compelling blend of car-grade craftsmanship and sim racing versatility, offering truck enthusiasts (and inventive helicopter parents like me) an authentic cockpit experience. Crafted from durable aluminium alloy and high-strength steel, these stalks boast an impressive 28 programmable switches, auto-cancelling turn signals, and integrated wiper, headlight, and cruise control levers to replicate real-world vehicle control.
With hidden screw designs and ergonomic mounting options compatible with all MOZA bases (and select third-party setups), the stalks not only look sleek but also feel robust under intense virtual hauls. Better yet, their constantly patched integration with MOZA’s Pit House software ensures decent plug-and-play functionality for Euro Truck Simulator 2.
From the onset, and though it probably sounds ridiculous to hear this, I was mighty surprised by just how much this peripheral revs up the ol’ immersion factor. I could not wipe the stupid grin off my face while doing menial driving tasks like signalling lane changes, adjusting headlights, and toggling wipers with the tactile satisfaction of operating a real vehicle's stalks.
This is especially true in VR. To be given instinctual “blind” access to so many functions (instead of stabbing at a keyboard in hope) is a game-changer.
Build Quality
When it comes to components, MOZA emphasises “authentic car-grade controls,” employing the same materials found in production vehicles for the stalks, dials, and switches. Specifically, the stalk bodies and levers are constructed from premium aluminium alloy, striking a balance between lightweight feel and structural rigidity. The mounting brackets, meanwhile, use high-strength steel to ensure your controls stay rock-solid during spirited cornering—virtual or otherwise.
True petrolheads will appreciate the hidden screw design, a neat trick that tucks all fasteners beneath a magnetic faceplate, preserving a clean aesthetic akin to a modern vehicle dashboard. Even the extension rods that add clearance between your wheel and the stalks are machined precisely, finishing with anodized touches that resist scratches and corrosion over countless virtual kilometres.
All in all, this is a slick-looking addition that is surely going to be the gateway drug to make me visit my local auto wreckers in search of a dashboard to sit around my Moza rig. Unless somebody talks me down from this idea. And please do. I really don’t have the space for it.
Weighing in at around 700 g total, these stalks strike a sweet spot: hefty enough to feel substantial, yet light enough that they don’t become a burden on my already chunky R12 wheelbase (7.5kg + 4kg truck wheel).
With dimensions roughly 411 × 127 × 152 mm, there’s ample room for the full sweep of real-world stalk arcs. Whether you’re threading tight turns in ETS2 or blasting down virtual motorways, the stalks’ surety and precision meant that my young petrolhead padawan wasn’t unintentionally turning on his windscreen wipers all the time. Never a good look for one’s eventual P-plater exam.
Functions Overview
Boasting 28 individual programmable switches, the Multi-function Stalks stand ready to cover everything from wipers and headlights to those exhaust brake toggles you didn’t know you needed. Each stalk houses its own bank of micro-switches that register crisp, definitive clicks, which is a far cry from mushy, off-brand button trays. The wiper lever not only changes wipe speeds but also features a momentary “wipe-back” click to clear condensation, replicating that quick-fix solution we all spam instead of…just picking a bloody speed.
Meanwhile, the headlight stalk toggles between low beam, high beam, and fogger duties with reassuring detents that clearly signal position changes. With the latter function, I taught my boy the quick headlight flick to oncoming traffic. You know—the ol’ “slow your roll, Speed Racer, the radar cops are just down the hill behind me” warning. Important tips that might not be on the exam.
Much like the dedicated wipers stalk, you’re getting authentic turn signals with auto-cancelling. After changing lanes in ETS2, the stalk springs back to its neutral position automatically, just as real-world drivers expect. This ensured he wouldn’t have a senior moment 50 years before his time—that “used my blinker to get out of the driveway and it’s still on 20 minutes later” special.
Euro Truck Sim 2 Integration
Setting things up to be just so is a mission, despite the pain-free look of the Pit House software GUI. There’s just a tonne of stuff to hook into input bindings, so there’s really no escaping it until a decent Settings Import file appears online (and by the time I publish this, there may well be one floating around).
That being said, everything works as smoothly as a fresh set of Michelin rubber once you put the effort in. I also have to say that including The Heir to My Throne of Games in this process was the perfect excuse to explain each and every function on a “real car’s” stalks. Though I did skip past the advanced (and potentially dangerous) stuff like Cruise Control functions.
If he’s anything like teenage me, he’ll misuse the hell out of that.
At the end of the day, he and I couldn’t be happier with what the Moza Multi-function Stalks deliver. As an avid sim racer/trucker, I definitely thought this novel peripheral shifted my experiences into a broader lane of automotive immersion. The robust build quality, combined with 28 programmable switches and auto-cancelling turn signals, should ensure I’ll never fumble a lane change or wash my windscreen at the wrong time while long-hauling across Scandinavia in ETS2 or rebelling on Route 66 in ATS.
As for my son’s instruction on the virtual streets of London, I believe the stalks’ robust, near-life build quality and tactile feel were just the thing to give him some much needed confidence. Possibly too much, however—he’s now asked if Moza does a handbrake attachment. I suspect the request is less about him perfecting his reverse parking technique and more about “fanging 180s faster.” In short, I believe I'm creating a monster.
Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.
