Quadrasteer Rocks!

In September I bought a 2003 1500HD with Quadrasteer. I cannot say enough good things about Quadrasteer. I first encountered it back in 1995 as part of market research and have been waiting for it ever since! I have noticed very few posts about Quadrasteer but would like to know from those of you who bought it---why you bought it and whether or not it has met your expectations.

Mary
(Did I mention that Quadrasteer rocks?)

I know someone who works at a Ford dealership..... he says quadrasteer is a fluke and is only for people who can't parrellel park. :rolleyes:

Parking? I wish I had it to help me back my 8'3" wide trailer up my old 100 foot 8'6" wide driveway. I used to unhook when I got home and hook up to a minivan I have just because the turning radius was so much better it was easier to get the trailer in. Of course I widened the driveway to 10'6" recently so I could probably use a semi to back it in now. :D

I wonder how well it spins a donut??? lol

I know someone who works at a Ford dealership..... he says quadrasteer is a fluke and is only for people who can't parrellel park. :rolleyes:


Well, he's obviously never driven one. While it does make it easier to parallel park, and to park in a regular parking space for that matter (without having to back up first), it makes all driving easier.

For instance, if one has to make a U-turn in a full size truck, significant room is required. In a quadrasteer, it can be done anywhere a compact car can do it. If on a regular 2 lane residential road, it can be done from one lane to another if there is a little driveway space to pull into maybe 2-3ft.

If towing a trailer, the safety compares to that (on a ball hitch) of a 5th wheel trailer. It guides the trailer with ease and reduces chances of losing control significantly.

If stuck in the mud while offroading, the rear wheels can turn to gain traction in another direction, which makes getting stuck a much more rare occasion.

There are many other benefits, these are just a few.

And now that QS only costs 2k, I can't see why more people aren't buying it (except for resistance to change, good or bad). For 2k, you get a different rear bed, roof marker lights, and a package similar to the Z71 for rear spring rates, skid plates, etc.

I love mine, and it was worth every penny of the 5k it cost in 03.

didn't realize the price dropped so much.....is QS a big maitenance item (ie lube changes, rear steering system, etc).

How are the rear wheels driven? (U-joints and half-shafts or CV joints/shafts).

With all the things that go wrong without quadrasteer, I would hate to wonder what else could go wrong with all of those extra parts.(it's electrically controlled isn't it?) Also, I'm not a big fan of the redesigned rear fenders. When I picked my current truck, I based it on people I knew with the same models with lots of miles on them. Maybe I'll get it on my next truck and maybe by then there'll be a bunch on the road with 100K miles plus without problems.
Jeb

With all the things that go wrong without quadrasteer, I would hate to wonder what else could go wrong with all of those extra parts.(it's electrically controlled isn't it?) Also, I'm not a big fan of the redesigned rear fenders. When I picked my current truck, I based it on people I knew with the same models with lots of miles on them. Maybe I'll get it on my next truck and maybe by then there'll be a bunch on the road with 100K miles plus without problems.
Jeb

Life's too short to worry about "what ifs". While something could go wrong with it, it's under warranty at the moment. I also have an extended warranty on mine until 100k miles through my insurance carrier. I happen to love the redesigned fenders, but that's a personal preference.

All in all, I absolutely love mine and wouldn't want another one without it. As it can be left in 2wh steering mode, I also presume if a problem came up, it could be switched to 2 wheel steering mode if the price to fix were too expensive.

I've been too busy to see what makes it work the way it does, so I'm not qualified to answer the above...

You know, I've seen some trucks with what look like mini-dually fenders in the rear but they're single-wheel rear axles. This explains it. (I think)

Pacethis--I'm with ya. I'd have paid full price for it, especially after having driven it for awhile (don't tell GM though). You covered many of the good points of Quadrasteer. I think it's one of those things that people don't fully see the benefits of until they have had some experience with it. It also depends on how you use a truck. I live in the woods and there are lots of narrow, dead end roads, turning a crew cab around in a dead end would become a 4-point turn! And pulling right into a parking space after watching other trucks perform a 2-point turn to accomplish it in their regular or extended cab trucks makes me smile.

I like the slightly bumped out fenders--I think it breaks up the monotony of a straight sided truck. And who could not love the light package it comes with!?!?!

A few die-hard "real" truck guys around here made fun of me when I told them I was going to get it. Every one of them has seen the light since driving it.

And for those who worry about new technology---I understand your concern, but everything was new once! Besides, I have always liked having the latest and greatest and have rarely been disappointed. Someone has to be the guinea pig so it may as well be me.

As far as not seeing many of them on the road---GM has done a miserable job of marketing it. The few commercials they've had did not clearly demonstrate its abilities so the average person could see a use for it. I had to educate the dealer and his salespeople when I ordered it. They really didn't understand what it was either. They thought it was just for towing!

Mary
(Did I mention that Quadrasteer rocks?)

hehe...i wanna put it on my 99..oh well..one can only dream

There was a post on my boat owner website about how quadrasteer works, but unfortunately I don't remember what it said. The thing that I do remember is that it was explained as old technology with a new application. The poster said there was nothing to really worry about as far as the technology goes. I would think GM isn't going to really push it until it's been out for a couple of years and they've got service techs adequately trained. I know someone with a 2500 Suburban with it and they also LOVE the QS and said they wouldn't have bought the Sub without it.

There was a post on my boat owner website about how quadrasteer works, but unfortunately I don't remember what it said. The thing that I do remember is that it was explained as old technology with a new application. The poster said there was nothing to really worry about as far as the technology goes. I would think GM isn't going to really push it until it's been out for a couple of years and they've got service techs adequately trained. I know someone with a 2500 Suburban with it and they also LOVE the QS and said they wouldn't have bought the Sub without it.


The biggest problem is the dealer network doesn't know enough about them and isn't ordering any to keep on their lots. When I was looking for one, the dealers all but told me I wouldn't want one. Then again, it's typical salesman stuff to talk you out of anything they don't sell on their lots...

I personally wouldn't have it any other way...I believe it's the largest automotive breakthrough of the last 50 years...

I too would not buy a new full size truck without QS again. I own an 03 Suburban with QS and for me that is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have four growing boys at 9,14,16, and 18 and a serious desire for travel and the great out-doors. So we own a 31' Holiday Rambler travel trailer and I needed to replace my dually but have the stability I was used to and fit my whole family in the vehicle with comfort. I found it! My 03 is equiped with everything but 4wd and Sun roof. The power of a HD truck, the drivability of a small car, control of a fith wheel (QSteer), room of a full size SUV, luxury and comfort of a cadillact to include a video system with five tv's for the long roads, and security that only on-star can provide.

QuadraSteer and Suburban, the perfect combination.

jreynosa...I'm envious. I would have loved to have the 03 Suburban with Quadrasteer, but living where I do I need a truck. So I bought the crew cab as a compromise between a truck and a luxury SUV. If I were designing the perfect vehicle for my needs (and my Labrador Retriever's needs) I'd have an Avalanche with Quadrasteer. Hello, GM - are you listening????

Hi,
I pull a fifth wheel trailer with a 97 extra cab and wish I had quadrasteer.
The fifth wheel takes a shortcut when you turn, so you have to go wide to allow for this or you pull the trailer over the corner sidewalk.
The bumper tow doesn't do it as bad.
I wish I had it.

my only concern is what happens when you going 70 down the highway and those electrically controlled rear wheels get a mind of their own? one hell of a wreck.

According to GM and Delphi, should there ever be any problems with the Quadra Steer system; The complete system is set to go to default. This way, regardless of what the problem is with the system, the wheels will always return to a stationary position. In fact at the first sign of a problem, you will get a chime in the cab and the driver information center will aler you of the problem.

I have been driving my Suburban for about a year and a half and have about 24,000 miles and not a glitch.

regads,

I heard it lowers your payload and towing capacity.

Towing capacity lowers by approximately 400# but payload stays the same. Total GVWR rating is 16,000#, so you would loose that simply by going to 4WD.

How's the rear axle work? Is it a solid axle with u-joints, or independant like the front?

How's the rear axle work? Is it a solid axle with u-joints, or independant like the front?

Im pretty sure its a solid axle with u-joints and a electric motor to steer the rear wheels

It is a solid axle with CV-Joints for steering.

the quadrasteer is something simple for these new trucks and should of been an option a long time ago. and every make should have this option. there is nothing extreme about it except for some more wires and a fiberglass bed. it has good capabilities with just driving but great advantages with trailering. since trucks are at points out selling cars im surprised the big truck companies dont ad these options to there bigger hd trucks. and hell id love to see a dually that could turn as sharp as a car.

I have Quadresteer on a 2004 Yukon XL and there it no place you can't go. I don't know why every SUV being driving by every soccer mom doesn't have it. There no place you can't park it, it goes in the fast food drive through lane with the big warning sign that says "narrow turning radius, large vehicles should not enter", parking garages are no problem, u-turns anywhere. You can't believe it until you drive it. Is it reliable? I have 45,000 miles and not one problem. Sounds like a commercial doesn't it? Too bad its been dropped by GM.

lol yeah i bet the cv joints would be tore up by a diesel engine, esp. in 2 wheel drive...

This thread caused me to look at the availability and it looks like GM has stopped offering the option as of 2005?
Very few sales. Darn! I had been hoping to buy a used one in a year.
OK so i wonder which engines were sold with the quadrasteer?

Bob B