Can 4 wheel steer make a comeback?

[Groover]

ZF if making a push for their 4 wheel steering system in pickups. The advantages are obvious in the video. The obvious questions are lifetime costs, reliability and capacity. From what I recall the main complaints about the GM system 15 years ago was the cost. Surely ZF knows that and will do better there.

TFL trucks and 4 wheel steer

[Bigdaddyisu]

My brother in law had one of the old quad steer trucks. He loved it and still talks about it today. He’d still have it if the mechanic didn’t start the undercarriage on fire. After that the electrical gremlins were constantly making an appearance and he got rid of it because he couldn’t count on it.

[mapguy]

No experience with the GM Quad Steer pick up. Many hours of experience with 4wd/4wheel steer forklifts. It is amazing how maneuverable this type equipment is for it's typical size. To get full advantage of a 4 wheel steer involves very complex hydraulic system.

[time2roll]

Four wheel steering is a solution looking for a problem.

[ksss]

Looks are subjective, but to say those trucks were "ugly as sin" is a huge over statement. I doubt most people even noticed a difference from any other pickup. As for the design, GM (Delphi) didnt over complicate it, its a complicated process by nature. Delphi was one of the brightest minds in automotive technology. Could it be simplified now? I am sure but given where technology was at that time it worked well. The cost was high and payback questionable. Speaking just to the capability itself, it would be nice a CC/LB pickup. As to whether it would be worth the cost or the increase in complexity to what is already a complex pickup, hard to say, but probably not.

[FishOnOne]

GM's attempt with their over complex rear steering system was a fail not to mention it made the truck ugly as sin.

Several other car manufacturers tried there hand a 4 wheel steering and they were sales failures as well.

I for one would not want one.

[Groover]

mhsmith wrote:
One of the down falls of the earlier GM version had to do with tow/load capicity of the vehicle.

Since towing stability is one of the major benefits low towing capacity would be a major drawback.

[4x4ord]

1320Fastback wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
It will be a good system for the first time truck owner in a grocery store parking lot! Which is where the majority of trucks are used.

Hahaha this!

I can see it being marketed to the same crowd that wants the $900 folding tailgates and all the other useless garbage just to keep up with the Joneses.

I want the folding tailgate and much of the other useless garbage, but, I see 4 wheel steer as being about as useless as the trailer back up assist.

[mhsmith]

One of the down falls of the earlier GM version had to do with tow/load capicity of the vehicle.

[Bionic_Man]

Manufactures are trying to do things to set them apart. Ford has that knob on their tow package to help backup a trailer. RAM has added the air suspension to their trucks. Both RAM and GM are making a big deal about their new tailgate (more GM so far).

This could be significantly more functional than any of the above. I know many of the posters here are perfect drivers, but not everyone is. Don't believe me, take a look at how many people can't seem to park any size vehicle in-between the parking lines.

Heck, I'd be interested in finding out more about it for whatever eventually replaces my crew cab truck. And the safety factor that it displayed with the lack of trailer sway in that emergency lane change is appealing as well.

Certainly isn't something for everyone, but with the right combo of marketing, engineering, and pricing, it will sell.

[camperdave]

I won't buy one. But I'm not their market anyway. My pickup has crank up windows lol.

As to parking lots, learn to back it in. There's your rear wheel steering. :B

[Grit_dog]

I could see it being a minor convenience pulling into typical 90deg parking spaces, but even at that, that's what backing up is for. You can one shot a crew cab pickup into a parking space backwards that would require a 3pt turn in a mid size vehicle.
Nice gimmick to add to the swiss army tailgayte.

[mich800]

fj12ryder wrote:
"I do agree that the ZF system adds complexity but with most pickups already coming with one optional steerable axle I don't understand why having a second one would put so many in a panic."

"Panic"? I noticed no "Panic", but I did see a lot of response to needless complexity. Consider how much it costs to align a single steerable point, now add in the double complexity of two steerable points, the necessary CV/universal joints to enable the rear to steer and drive, and then figure out if it adds enough real usability. Some circumstances it would be handy, but enough circumstances to outweigh the initial expense, plus the added maintenance costs, maybe not.

Sometimes "newer" isn't better, sometimes "newer" is just newer.

oops. I agree, didn't see your post and said the same basic thing.

[mich800]

Groover wrote:
I was hoping that someone with personal experience with the GM system would share what they liked about it and how much maintenance it took. I knew that GM didn't sell many but didn't realize how few they must have sold.

Some of the comments here remind me of fact that Ford offered a wide front on the F350 for several years but couldn't sell many and gave up. Meanwhile, there is an active thread here about someone going up to the F450 just to get the wider front because it is more maneuverable. Sometimes the most challenging obstacle for a new idea is getting acceptance.

I do agree that the ZF system adds complexity but with most pickups already coming with one optional steerable axle I don't understand why having a second one would put so many in a panic.

I think it has merits for safety and maneuverability. But today's vehicles handle so well and already have numerous safety features built in. It is difficult to justify the additional cost, maintenance, and complexity for such a marginal gain.

[fj12ryder]

"I do agree that the ZF system adds complexity but with most pickups already coming with one optional steerable axle I don't understand why having a second one would put so many in a panic."

"Panic"? I noticed no "Panic", but I did see a lot of response to needless complexity. Consider how much it costs to align a single steerable point, now add in the double complexity of two steerable points, the necessary CV/universal joints to enable the rear to steer and drive, and then figure out if it adds enough real usability. Some circumstances it would be handy, but enough circumstances to outweigh the initial expense, plus the added maintenance costs, maybe not.

Sometimes "newer" isn't better, sometimes "newer" is just newer.