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**moosetags** · 03-13-2014, 07:29 AM

Thanks for this info, AxelBruijnis. Even though we have not yet experienced any problems with our Quadrasteer units, the information about the wiring harness being part of the steering motor is good to know. This information will put me on the right track if I experience a similar situation.

Even though we are down to one Quadrasteer Suburban, our son in Atlanta now has our '04.

Brian

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 08:30 AM

$9,000 with 157,000 miles, and $9,500 for 188,000 miles makes me think I got a fair deal at $13,000 for 74,000 miles.

So if Quadrasteer 'Burbs are rare, just imagine how rare it will be to see a QS/AS combo out on the road. If I see one, I will be yelling out the window, "Hey Moosetags!"

**moosetags** · 03-13-2014, 08:32 AM

That's probably about right.

Brian

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subfan1 · 03-13-2014, 08:34 AM

Sounds like a good deal, are you hooked up yet?

m.hony · 03-13-2014, 09:13 AM

Have you towed with it?
We're all anxious to hear all about it.

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 09:39 AM

Hooking up a little later today. We will take the 12 mile hill up to Yucca Valley. The one we got stuck when the 300 overheated. We also want to hit the scales and try to dial in the hitch. Keep your fingers crossed.

BTW, something I really like is the full on instrument panel, which includes a trans temp gauge. It's nice to be able to see the whole picture in one glance without playing with three buttons on the steering wheel. I like technology in cars, but I think fumbling three buttons to go through gauges is a disaster of a user interface.

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 04:56 PM

I setup the hitch and got the following numbers.

Without trailer:

Fr: 3020 Rr: 3440

With Trailer (FC25)

Fr: 3020 Rr: 4460 TT: 5260

GVAR Fr: 3600 Rr: 5600 GVWR: 8800

So, it looks like I restored 100% on the front axle and have no issues weight wise. The trailer looks level. There was very little sag on the back of the 'Burb - maybe 1/2".

The break controller installed was the same Prodigy I had before and worked just fine.

So, we roared up the hill on our "test course." The transmission has 4 gears. We left the AC on. The outside temp was 79F. We made most of the hill in 3rd at 55MPH, and on one steep section dropped to 2nd at 50MPH. We got to the top with no effort and no fanfare. The coolant temp never changed from the 210F starting point, the trans temp went from 180F to 200F early in the climb and stayed at the 200F point for the rest of the 12 mile hill. Cruising on the freeway it runs 150F.

The TV weighs 6400 and change, and it feels like a high powered brick on the road. We found a nice freeway groove of 60MPH @ 2000RPM and it is stable, smooth, quiet, and delightful. We are only running with one Camco anti-sway bar right now. The other is in the garage waiting to be installed this weekend. Even with one, there was no noticeable sway.

My wife has dubbed her "Big Bertha." We got home and she had a smile from ear to ear - "That's what I'm talking about!" Happy camper.

The rear seats fold differently than our 07 'Burb and it actually provides more level room behind the front seats than the "tumbing" seats in the 07. All in all this is a WAY better Suburban than our '07 in every way.

We have one question about the tow bar, which I will post with a picture in another post.

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 05:02 PM

As shown in this picture, the bar extends several inches from the receiver. One nice thing about this is that the rear door swings up clear when hitched. This was not possible in my '07 'Burb - the door hot the jack.

But, is this acceptable to have so much extension? Or, should I have that stem re-drilled to move the shaft closer to the car? It could go about 3" closer.

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 05:05 PM

Just off the scales.

subfan1 · 03-13-2014, 05:18 PM

I have not had mine drilled closer because I would then run the risk of hitting the trailer with the Tahoe when backing into a tight spot.
BTW, looks good and it sounds like you both are Happy Campers! How do you like your mirrors?

**moosetags** · 03-13-2014, 05:22 PM

The Quad Sub with the Airstream makes for a really nice looking rig. Best wishes with Bertha. Coincidentally, SuEllyn had a 1988 Suburban company car that she also called Big Bertha.

Brian

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subfan1

I have not had mine drilled closer because I would then run the risk of hitting the trailer with the Tahoe when backing into a tight spot.
BTW, looks good and it sounds like you both are Happy Campers! How do you like your mirrors?

The mirrors are excellent from a convenience POV. And they are at least very good on visibility. I think the view is a tiny bit shy of the view from my add on mirrors. Not enough difference to worry about. They're great.

If there's no big down side to having the ball that far back, I will leave it alone. I sure like being able to open the hatch when hitched!

andreasduess · 03-13-2014, 07:13 PM

Great you found a TV that works for you.

I had a long chat with my wife yesterday and we might scale down our town car to something smaller than our van - we live in an old Victorian home and the van just, but just, makes it into the garage through an extremely narrow alleyway. Especially in winter, with snow on both sides, it's a bit nerve-wrecking and as winter is six months a year up here, that's a lot of nerves being wracked.

So what we might end up doing is getting a small car for us and the boys and a bigger vehicle for towing. As I can see a future in which bikes and canoes play a large role, and as there is a plan to go on a long trans-Canada trip, this might end up being a truck. It's probably no secret that I am not a fan of trucks as daily drivers or even as the automatic choice for a TV, but for payload and carrying stuff they do make sense.

I'll be asking the collected wisdom of the boards when the time comes.

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreasduess

It's probably no secret that I am not a fan of trucks as daily drivers or even as the automatic choice for a TV, but for payload and carrying stuff they do make sense.

Here's something that sort of blew my mind today at the scales. With the trailer loaded, and the car nearly loaded for camping, 2 people and a dog, and a full tank of gas, my Suburban weighed 7480#. The GVWR is an amazing 8800#, so I still had another 1400# of payload capacity left! I had to read the door label twice to be sure I was seeing it correctly. There's just no getting around the cool factor of that.

But we gave up on the idea of "one vehicle" when the 300 didn't pan out. So, this is strictly a TV. We have a nice little Ford Escape for daily driving and with both of us at home, it's rare we need two cars at the same time. So, mostly Big Bertha will be cuddled in the garage.

kscherzi · 03-13-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstephens

As shown in this picture, the bar extends several inches from the receiver. One nice thing about this is that the rear door swings up clear when hitched. This was not possible in my '07 'Burb - the door hot the jack.

But, is this acceptable to have so much extension? Or, should I have that stem re-drilled to move the shaft closer to the car? It could go about 3" closer.

I drilled my hitch closer on Andy's recommendation, better to help redistribute weight. The manufacturer told me it was okay if I wanted, the extra length is to accommodate a rock guard designed to slip onto the shaft.

Jim Flower · 03-13-2014, 08:07 PM

Mark, this is a real happy conclusion to the TV project, especially since both of you are now comfortable with the choice and the numbers demonstrate an excellent combination. Since it tows well, I would not fuss with the shank length because having the ability to have easy access to the rear storage area would outweigh any minor benefit achieved in stability. Good going. Jim

SteveSueMac · 03-13-2014, 08:23 PM

Congrats - and I agree with Jim. If the benefit of moving it is weight distribution, you're already at 100%FALR - not benefit going over that. Enjoy the utility as is!

Congrats - great looking rig!

mstephens · 03-13-2014, 10:24 PM

Ahhhhh....a rock guard. Yes, that's a possibility. Thanks for the reminder.

I guess my concern was that the longer shank creates more torque on the receiver? But I can say that I towed for 2 years without being able to open the back hatch of my old Burb and it was a pain in the butt. So, I think I am going to leave this alone, enjoy the access, and keep an eye on the receiver and inspect it periodically.

All's good then in the "Suburbs."

slowmover · 03-14-2014, 01:53 AM

Check clearances in turning and for tailgate. Inches actually do make a difference

**moosetags** · 03-14-2014, 01:54 AM

Pay particular attention to that OEM receiver on your Suburban. I had to replace the receivers on both my Quadradteer Suburbans due to cracked welds.

Brian

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