I don't get it

[rph130]

Seeing all of the commercials for this crab walk feature on new trucks, I'm trying to figure this out. I don't want to sound anti-technology, but I just don't get the advantage or purpose other than maybe to assist in parallel parking. I hate to think that I'm getting like my dad who said all sunroofs leak, 4wd chews up transmissions, power windows are just something else that will break, and intermittent wipers will never catch on, but I hope someone out there can enlighten or educate me. Like I titled this one, I just don't get it.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Dad would've lost his beans when he saw this one....

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[pclark]

Dad would've lost his beans when he saw this one....

View attachment 70851​

What a beauty!

 

[garageguy]

Just somthing to complicate getting the tires aligned

 

[eao]

GM had Quadrsteer (4-wheel) steering option 2002-2005 trucks. It never caught on and now current owners are hard pressed to find parts to keep them on the road. It was a product of Dana Corp.

 

[dwz]

I remember that John Dee owned one of those

 

[favoritos]

There used to be tractors that came with crab steering. I'm not aware that it is an option anymore.

 

[Dirty70Firebird]

I've never owned a 4 wheel steer vehicle, but I have heard people say they tow trailers extremely well, changing lanes in particular.

 

[old abe]

There used to be tractors that came with crab steering. I'm not aware that it is an option anymore.

Yup. Crab steering has a real advantage, and good use with 4 wheel drive tractors. Working sidehills was the big one, as in dealing with the 'side draft' while pulling various large implements for tillage, and seeding. Case, and IHC were the major manufacturers with 'crab steering' tractors. Others were smaller 'custom' purpose built producers.

 

[eao]

There used to be tractors that came with crab steering. I'm not aware that it is an option anymore.

John Deere has X series with 4-wheel steer.

 

[mezz]

Had one, the rear end took a crap, 3 years old, never again as to repair it was more than buying a new standard rider. In addition, when turning away from a landscape wall the rear tire would scrub the wall. Nonetheless, the longevity on these rear ends are nonexistent.

 

[eao]

https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/general-motors-technology/gm-chassis-suspension-technology/gm-quadrasteer/

 

[lofsfire]

John Deere has X series with 4-wheel steer.

I looked at those, endup with the X590. There are some drawbacks. but for me after using the X590 I was very happy with the turning radius.

My fire department had a 97/98 Spartan / S&S tanker engine that had twin steer.It had 3 axles and the very back cambered 10* to make tighter turns. It would lock straight above 12.5mph. I work amazingly but that and the suspension were air driven and they were constant problems over the years. When I was Chief we sent it out for a full overhaul its still in service but getting ready to replace in the next year. Then 1-2 year build time from ordering... this truck was $400,000 in '98 looking at $1.4M to replace it...

6 man cab, 1250gpm pump, 3000 gal tank

You can see the rear steer turned in this picture.
(Picture was of a garbage truck fire they dumped their load in a parking lot.)

 

[elf]

Some of the larger chassis we mount equipment on, like a Pete 320 cab forward, had two front axles that both were steer axles. So not Crab Steering but they had a pretty tight steering radius for a 5 axle 80,000 lb truck.