Best Motion Platform for Aluminium Profile Rigs: Compatibility Guide
You have spent £800 to £2,000 on a SimLab, Trak Racer, ASR, or similar aluminium profile sim racing cockpit. It is rigid, adjustable, and built to handle a direct-drive wheelbase. Now you are thinking about the next upgrade. And the biggest upgrade you can make is not a better wheel or pedals. It is motion.
The good news is that you do not need to replace your rig to add motion. Several actuator systems are designed to bolt directly to standard 8020 aluminium extrusion profiles. Your cockpit stays. Your seating position stays. Your monitor setup stays. You just add motion underneath.
This guide covers every motion system compatible with aluminium profile rigs, what fits, what does not, and which one makes the most sense depending on your rig size and budget.
Why Aluminium Profile Rigs Are Better for Motion
Not every sim rig handles motion well. Folding steel cockpits like the Playseat Challenge or Next Level Racing F-GT flex under the torque of motion actuators. The forces that feel realistic in a rigid rig feel vague and imprecise in a rig that twists.
Aluminium profile rigs are inherently rigid. 80x40mm extrusions handle moderate motion loads. 120x40mm handles most setups comfortably. 160x40mm handles everything including heavy direct-drive wheelbases, triple monitors, and the most powerful motion systems.
If you are buying a rig today and plan to add motion later, buy the strongest profiles you can afford. The rig is the foundation. Motion amplifies whatever the rig is or is not.
Motion Systems That Bolt to Your Existing Rig
SIMRIG SR1, SR2 and SR3
SIMRIG is the most straightforward option for existing rig owners. Four actuators mount to the corners of your aluminium profile frame using included brackets. The system lifts your entire rig and tilts it in three axes: pitch, roll, and heave.
The SIMRIG SR1 (£3,220) handles up to 175kg total load including rig, driver, and peripherals. It fits 80x40 and 120x40 profile rigs. The actuators mount directly with no modifications to your rig required.
The SIMRIG SR2 (£3,725) is the best seller. It handles 225kg, runs on a 750W power supply, and delivers 7ms latency. It comfortably handles 160x40 profile rigs with direct-drive wheelbases and triple monitors. If you are not sure which SIMRIG to buy, the SR2 covers the widest range of setups.
The SIMRIG SR3 (£4,180) is the heavy-duty option at 350kg load capacity. Built for the heaviest rigs with direct-drive bases, triple screens, and full peripheral setups where the SR2 runs out of headroom.
All three include SIMRIG Control Center software with native VR motion compensation, support for all major sim titles, and plug-and-play USB connection.
Compatible with: SimLab P1-X, GT1 Evo, Trak Racer TR160, TR120, ASR rigs, Advanced Sim Racing rigs, Sim-Lab GT1 Evo, and any standard 80x40, 120x40 or 160x40mm aluminium extrusion cockpit.
ProSimu P3MP and P5MP
ProSimu's platform systems mount underneath your existing cockpit frame. Unlike SIMRIG which lifts from the corners, the P3MP and P5MP support the rig from below on a motion platform base.
The ProSimu P3MP (£4,295) delivers 3DOF motion with traction loss. Available with PRS50 or PRS200 actuators. The PRS200 option runs at 280mm/s with 2G acceleration and 0.003mm positional accuracy. This is significantly faster and more precise than any other system at this price point.
The ProSimu P5MP (£8,745) adds two more actuators for 4DOF plus traction loss. Five PRS200 actuators cover pitch, roll, heave, surge, and rear traction loss. This is the flagship option for existing rig owners who want ProSimu-level actuator performance without buying a complete T1000 simulator.
Both platforms are ultra-quiet. The actuators never contact the floor during motion. If you live in a flat or shared building, this matters.
The P3MP upgrades to the P5MP by adding two actuators. Buy the P3MP now, add the extra axes later. Your cockpit, mounting, and software all carry forward.
Qubic System QS-210 and QS-220
Qubic System takes the industrial approach. The QS-210 (£3,519) and QS-220 (£4,589) use industrial-grade linear actuators designed for precision and longevity. These are the same actuator technology that powers Qubic's commercial and hexapod systems, scaled down for home rigs.
The QS-210 is a 2DOF system with 60mm stroke. The QS-220 steps up to 100mm stroke with higher load capacity. Both mount to standard aluminium profile rigs using Qubic's universal mounting brackets.
The build quality is noticeably premium. Industrial linear actuators produce virtually no mechanical noise and are rated for sustained daily use. Qubic Manager software supports all major sim titles and includes per-game profile tuning.
Full Platform Systems (Replace Your Rig)
If you do not already own a rig, or if your current rig is not strong enough for motion, full platform systems include the cockpit as part of the package.
The DOF Reality H3 (£2,985) includes a complete cockpit with 3DOF motion. The ProSimu T1000 3M (from £4,795) includes a dedicated motion chassis. These are not compatible with external rigs. You use their cockpit, not yours.
For existing rig owners, the actuator systems above are the right choice. For new builders, the full platform systems offer everything in one package.
Which System Fits Your Rig?
80x40mm profiles (SimLab P1-X, entry rigs): SIMRIG SR1 or ProSimu P3MP. Both handle lighter rigs comfortably.
120x40mm profiles (Trak Racer TR120, mid-range): SIMRIG SR2 or Qubic QS-210. Both have enough capacity for the rig weight plus peripherals.
160x40mm profiles (Trak Racer TR160, heavy builds): SIMRIG SR2 or SR3. The SR2 handles most 160x40 setups. If you have triple monitors and a heavy direct-drive base, the SR3 at 350kg gives maximum headroom.
Not sure which system fits your rig? Try our free Platform Finder for a personalised recommendation, or email us with your rig model and we will tell you exactly what fits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will motion actuators damage my aluminium profile rig?
No. SIMRIG, ProSimu, and Qubic all use non-destructive mounting methods. Brackets clamp to the profiles using T-slot nuts. No drilling, no permanent modifications. If you ever remove the motion system, your rig is exactly as it was.
Can I add motion to a Playseat or GT Omega rig?
Technically possible, practically not recommended. These rigs flex under motion forces which reduces accuracy and can cause rattling. Aluminium profile rigs are rigid enough to transmit motion forces cleanly. If you want motion, start with an 8020 rig.
Do I need to reinforce my rig for motion?
Usually not. If your rig is already solid with no flex when you push hard on the brake pedal, it will handle motion. If it flexes or creaks, add corner brackets at the joints before mounting actuators. A stiffer rig produces better motion because the forces transfer cleanly instead of being absorbed by flex.
Which is better for an existing rig: SIMRIG or ProSimu?
Different strengths. SIMRIG gives you heave (vertical movement) plus pitch and roll. ProSimu P3MP gives you traction loss plus pitch and roll. SIMRIG has native VR motion compensation. ProSimu has faster actuators and ultra-quiet operation. If you fly and race, SIMRIG's heave is more useful for flight. If you race primarily and noise matters, ProSimu's traction loss and silent operation are compelling.
How long does installation take?
SIMRIG takes roughly 1 to 2 hours to mount the four actuators and connect the cabling. ProSimu P3MP takes slightly longer because you are mounting the platform base first, then placing your rig on top. Qubic QS-210 is similar to SIMRIG in installation time. All three are genuinely plug and play once mounted.