I don't have a wheel, so I've tried keyboard, keyboard and mouse, and gamepad, settling on the gamepad. I use sequential shifting with this button layout (XBox):

• left analog: steering
• right analog: look, press to center view
• directional: cruise control
  • right: set
  • left: restore
  • up: increment
  • down: decrement
• left trigger: braking
• right trigger: acceleration
• left/right shoulder: signals
• Y: shift up
• A: shift down
• B: lights
• X: toggle bright lights

And then I use the keyboard for everything else.

It is awkward for some maneuvers, and I would like to hear how everyone else controls their truck.

I use a PS3 racing wheel, a mouse and my keyboard for Euro Truck Simulator 2. You should be able to easily use this configuration on American Truck Simulator.

• Accelerate: Right Pedal
• Brake: Left Pedal
• Shift Up: Triangle Button OR Left Click
• Shift Down: Circle Button OR Right Click
• Left Turn Signal: L2
• Right Turn Signal: R2
• Toggle Lights: L1
• Toggle Wipers: R1
• Cruise Control: Up Directional Button
• GPS Map Page: X Button
• GPS Mission Page: Square Button
• GPS Diagnostic Page: L3
• GPS Information Page: R3
• Look Left: Left Directional Button
• Look Right Mirror: Right Directional Button
• Look Around Freely: Mouse
• Re-Center Camera: Down Direction Button
• Map: Select Button
• Menu: Start Button
• Parking Break: Shift Key
• Engine: Enter Key
• Decouple: T Key
• Activate: Space Bar

I have a G27 and keep everything at their default settings (g27 + Keyboard). It sucks that this wheel doesn't have a sequential shifter, so I have to rely on the paddle shifters on the side of the wheels.

As for settings:

• I follow this guide for setting up the wheel.
• Then Use this Force Feedback Plugin