How to Keep a Sim Racing Rig Tidy: Keyboard, Mouse and Headset Setup

A sim racing rig often starts with a wheelbase, pedals and monitor, but everyday use also requires access to a keyboard, mouse and headset. Without dedicated mounting points, these items quickly end up on the floor, seat or wheel deck, while cables become wrapped around the cockpit.

The solution is not simply to add more trays. Each accessory should have a defined position that is easy to reach but does not interfere with steering, entering the cockpit or using a shifter. Aluminium-profile rigs make this easier because trays, holders and cable-management accessories can be repositioned along the profile channels.

A clean setup should keep the keyboard available for game menus, place the mouse on the dominant-hand side and provide a safe location for the headset. Cables should follow the cockpit structure and leave only enough slack where components need to move. This guide explains how to organise these accessories without turning the rig into a desk.

Plan the accessory positions
Mount the keyboard
Position the mouse
Store the headset
Route cables cleanly
Avoid common mistakes

Plan the Layout Before Adding Accessories

Start from the driving position rather than the available mounting holes.

Sit in the cockpit and check where your hands naturally reach without twisting your back or lifting your shoulders from the seat. Accessories should remain outside the steering-wheel movement area and should not block entry into the cockpit.

For most GT-style rigs:

The mouse works best on the dominant-hand side.
The keyboard should sit close enough for menus and setup changes.
The headset should hang outside the main seating area.
Cables should run along the inner or lower profile surfaces.

Aluminium profiles allow these positions to be changed later, which is useful when adding a shifter, handbrake or different seat.

Use a Dedicated Keyboard Tray

Balancing a keyboard on your legs may work briefly, but it becomes inconvenient during longer sessions. It can also fall when entering or leaving the cockpit.

A dedicated SimXPro Keyboard Tray gives the keyboard a permanent position while keeping it separate from the wheel deck. SimXPro keyboard and mouse accessories are compatible with the full cockpit range.

The keyboard should be:

Reachable without leaning far forwards.
Low enough to avoid raising the shoulder.
Outside the movement of the steering wheel.
Easy to move away when entering the cockpit.

For broader equipment placement, the PC Keyboard Tray provides another mounting option. Choose according to the amount of surface space required rather than adding the largest tray automatically.

Keep the Mouse on Its Own Surface

A mouse needs less space than a keyboard, but its position matters more because it is used frequently for menus, telemetry software and desktop navigation.

The SimXPro Mouse Tray can be mounted to any SimXPro cockpit and positioned independently from the keyboard.

Mount it on your dominant-hand side and keep the wrist in a neutral position. The tray should not sit directly beside a shifter if the two controls compete for the same space.

A compact wireless mouse can reduce cable clutter, but a wired mouse is equally practical when its cable is secured underneath the tray and routed directly towards a USB hub or PC.

Give the Headset a Fixed Storage Point

A headset should not be left on the seat, steering wheel or monitor mount. These locations are inconvenient and can place pressure on the ear pads, headband or cables.

A profile-mounted headset holder keeps it close to the cockpit without occupying the keyboard or mouse trays. The best position is usually:

On the outside of a wheel upright.
Near the rear side profile.
Away from moving monitor arms.
Clear of the path used to enter the rig.

For a wired headset, route the cable towards the holder so that it cannot fall across the pedals or steering column. Leave enough free length to turn your head naturally, but avoid a large loop around the seat.

Route Cables Along the Cockpit

Good cable management should follow the structure of the rig.

Run wheelbase, pedal, USB and accessory cables along the aluminium profiles rather than directly across open spaces. Reusable hook-and-loop straps are usually better than permanent zip ties because they allow the setup to be changed later.

A practical layout includes:

One main cable route towards the PC or power source.
Short branches to the wheelbase, pedals and accessories.
A small amount of slack near adjustable components.
No loose cable loops near pedals, sliders or moving trays.

A powered USB hub mounted close to the cockpit can reduce the number of long cables running towards the computer. Where practical, keep power cables and USB or signal cables on separate routes to make troubleshooting easier.

Common Organisation Mistakes

Avoid mounting every accessory as close to the driver as possible. A tray that feels convenient while stationary may obstruct steering or make entry difficult.

Conclusion

A tidy sim racing rig depends on assigning a permanent and practical position to every accessory.

The keyboard should remain accessible without blocking the steering wheel, the mouse should sit naturally on the dominant-hand side and the headset should use a separate holder. Aluminium-profile cockpits make this easier because each accessory can be repositioned as the setup changes.

Cable management should follow the cockpit structure, remain adjustable and avoid moving components.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need separate keyboard and mouse trays?

Separate trays provide more positioning freedom and prevent one large surface from obstructing the cockpit.

Are the SimXPro trays compatible with every cockpit?

Yes. The mouse tray, keyboard tray and PC keyboard tray are compatible with all SimXPro cockpits.

Is wireless equipment better for cable management?

It reduces visible cables, but wired equipment can remain equally tidy when routed correctly.

Where should a headset holder be mounted?

Usually on an outside upright or rear side profile, away from the steering area and cockpit entry path.

Complete the Rig Without Adding Clutter

Add only the accessories you regularly use. Compare the Keyboard Tray, Mouse Tray and the wider PC Keyboard Tray, or browse the complete SimXPro product range.