The four-wheel steering system on a truck is one of the latest technologies, and it can improve the turn radius. The technology is based on the Ackerman steering geometry, which allows the outside and inside wheels to trace different paths to reduce tire wear and scrub. The Ford F-150 was used as a test bed for this new setup by German automotive supplier ZF. It is anticipated to go on sale sometime in 2021.
There are a number of trucks with this feature. Some, like the Chevy Silverado, have it for several years. Others, like the GMC Hummer EV, have it as an option. The upcoming all-electric Chevrolet pickup truck does not yet have a name for this feature.
The four-wheel steering system improves lane-change accuracy and stability. It also reduces body roll, and gives a vehicle better handling at low speeds. This technology is also helpful on snowy or dirt roads.
Why Did GM Discontinue Quadrasteer?
Quadrasteer was a steer-by-wire steering system for large pickups and SUVs. It was available on 16500 vehicles from 2002 to 2005. However, GM has decided not to use the technology in new vehicles. Delphi, the company that made the system, was close to completing a new version of the system that would fix the extra-wide rear track and make the vehicle more affordable.
The company developed the four-wheel steering system Quadrasteer, which was used in GMC trucks and full-size pickup trucks. The system allowed a vehicle to turn tighter and improve tracking. It also enabled the front and back wheels to turn in the same direction. This increased vehicle tracking and made turning easier, whether with or without a trailer.
However, the model failed to gain enough consumer interest to keep its production levels up. The quadrasteer’s price, at $4,495, was prohibitively high for many buyers. As a result, the company discontinued it after just two years.
What Year Did Chevy Trucks Have 4 Wheel Steering?
In the 1990s, GM began developing four-wheel steering for its trucks. A new platform called the GMT 800 was developed to replace the GMT 400 sport-utility and full-size pickup chassis. This new steering axle was engineered by Delphi and was installed under the GMC Sierra, Yukon XL, and Silverado.
The technology was first used on full-sized trucks, and GM was the first major automaker to offer four-wheel steering on its vehicles. The system, known as the Quadrasteer, improved maneuverability and reduced turning radius. It also helped with towing maneuvers.
The Quadrater option was first used on the Chevy Silverado in 2002. This new system used steer-by-wire to turn the rear wheels 15 degrees opposite to the front wheels. It reduced the truck’s turning radius by about a third and improved maneuverability. But it was expensive and added weight to the vehicle. It lasted until 2005.
The system was first introduced on luxury vehicles, including sedans, but was later made standard on pickup trucks. Its introduction on Chevrolet trucks was no longer revolutionary, but it was a step forward. It is based on the same principles that were behind luxury vehicles.
How Does Chevy 4 Wheel Steering Work?
When a Chevy’s four-wheel steering system is active, the front wheels steer in the same direction as the rear wheels. This reduces the turning radius and makes the truck more maneuverable in tight spaces. It also improves the handling of the truck at high speeds. This feature makes a truck as maneuverable as a sedan.
It is a fully hydraulic system that uses computerized controls to turn all four wheels at once. The system works by sending hydraulic pressure to the trailing-arm joints of the rear suspension. These joints can tilt up to 1.5 degrees based on steering force. This system is most useful for trucks that tow trailers.
The Chevy Silverado introduced a Quadrater option in 2002. This system employed steer-by-wire technology in the rear axle. This enabled the rear wheels to turn 15 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels. This improved maneuverability in tight spaces, especially when compared to a traditional steering system. Nevertheless, the system was expensive and added extra weight. It was available until 2005, when Chevy stopped making it.
Is 4 Wheel Steering Better?
Trucks with four-wheel steering have a larger turning radius, which is helpful for tight parking maneuvers and making U-turns. Four-wheel steering also improves stability and handling. The system works by applying hydraulic pressure to the trailing-arm joints of the rear suspension. This pressure can tilt the vehicle up to 1.5 degrees.
Another benefit of four-wheel steering is greater steering precision. It makes turning and lane changes easier and gives the vehicle greater stability, which makes it safer for both driver and pedestrian. In an emergency situation, this can be especially helpful. It also helps the vehicle complete corners with more stability, and it reduces the chance of getting stuck.
GM began to make trucks with four-wheel steering in the early 1990s. Their GMT 800 platform was designed to replace the GMT 400 sports utility and full-size pickup chassis. Delphi developed the steer-by-wire rear axle, which was then fitted under the GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Suburban, and Yukon XL.
How Many Quadrasteer Trucks Did Chevy Make?
When the Quadrasteer first appeared on the scene, GM limited its production to just a few models, mostly 2500s. The resulting truck was a family hauler that was easier to maneuver into tight spots, and its smaller size made it easier to steer around obstacles. Although most boat owners towed their boats with an SUV or pickup truck, there were a few who opted for a Quadrasteer.
The Quadrasteer truck was initially priced at $5,600. However, its high price turned off many consumers, and GM dropped its price to $4,500. But the lower price didn’t go down well with the target market, and the Quadrasteer lost general appeal in 2004.
The Chevy Quadrasteer improved the maneuverability of a truck by reducing its turning radius from 37 feet to 22 feet. This was especially useful when towing a trailer. But it was expensive, and it is unclear if the company will ever bring it back.
Is Quadrasteer Coming Back?
The Quadrasteer was a system that was popular with GM trucks. It was easy to use and improved the handling and maneuverability of the vehicle. Despite the problems, the Quadrasteer is a system that may come back. However, this is not a given. GM has yet to announce a plan to bring the Quadrasteer back to the market.
The Quadrasteer system was first introduced by GM in 2002. It cost $5,600, which made it prohibitive for most consumers. In response to this criticism, the automaker dropped the price to $4,500 by 2003. However, this cut was too little for the target market. The price was then reduced to $1,995 in 2004. Eventually, the Quadrasteer lost the general public’s interest.
The next generation of the Quadrasteer didn’t need a widened rear body. Besides being cheaper, the new generation was going to be more maneuverable. Sadly, GM has a history of getting things just right, then scrapping them. In other words, the next generation of the Quadrasteer would have been cheaper and had more modern features. It would have been the first truck with cutting-edge technology.
What Years Did GM Make Quadrasteer?
The Quadrasteer was first introduced in 2002 and was only available on a few different models. It was offered on the popular GMT 800 pickup truck as well as on the 2500 version of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. It was also available as a Denali trim.
It was initially very expensive, costing more than $7000. Because of this, it did not sell well. However, GM did try to boost sales by lowering the price to around $4999. This move made the Quadrasteer more affordable, and it also allowed GM to sell it for a cheaper price.
The Quadrasteer system was first offered on the GMC Sierra Denali in 2002, and was soon followed by the Sierra/Silverado 2500 trucks. It later appeared on the Suburban and Yukon XL, too. The new system allowed the rear wheels to turn in the same direction as the front wheels. This improved tracking, with or without a trailer.
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