Suburban "Quadrasteer" Question

[nvestysly]

We recently purchased a used 2005 Suburban. The PO indicated the factory class 4 receiver was not very sturdy - there was noticeable flex of the receiver and bumper when the trailer was cinched up - so the PO replaced the receiver with a class 5 product. The class 5 is very beefy!

[GCinSC2]

Yee Haw

Got a new TV and passed its first shake down congrats!

Gary

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by nvestysly

We recently purchased a used 2005 Suburban. The PO indicated the factory class 4 receiver was not very sturdy - there was noticeable flex of the receiver and bumper when the trailer was cinched up - so the PO replaced the receiver with a class 5 product. The class 5 is very beefy!

We have had four 2500 Suburbans, a 1996, 2001, 2004, and a 2005. The 1996 had the old square bar receiver, and we never had any problem with that one. In the 2000 model year, GM introduced their round bar receivers. These worked great as long as you towed an 800# john boat. When subjected to heavy duty towing, especially with a weight distribution hitch system, these Class III receivers are prone to failure. I experienced cracked welds on all three of my GM round bar receivers.

I ended up replacing all three with aftermarket square bar Reese Class IV receivers, and have never had another problem.

When I first experienced the round bar receiver weld cracks, I went back to the Chevrolet Dealer. Even though out of warranty, GM offered to replace the receiver. The only problem was that they were going to replace the defective receiver with another piece of junk round bar receiver like the one that originally came on the Suburban. I declined their offer and went with an aftermarket Class IV receiver.

If you are towing an Airstream with a Suburban of the 2000 to 2006 model years and you still have the OEM receiver, inspect it carefully and often for signs of failure.

Here is a close-up photo of on of the OEM receiver weld cracks. As you can see, these can be hard to detect.

Brian

[mstephens]

Moosetags,
You are obviously the "go to guy" on 2500 Suburbans. I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain now and then. We're going camping next weekend. Probably down to the Anza Borrego again. Not too far, but far enough to have some fun and give the TV a little work out.

[m.hony]

I saw a Quadrasteer pickup yesterday...

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by mstephens

Moosetags,
You are obviously the "go to guy" on 2500 Suburbans. I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain now and then. We're going camping next weekend. Probably down to the Anza Borrego again. Not too far, but far enough to have some fun and give the TV a little work out.

I don't know about being the "go to guy". My only "claim yo fame" is that I've owned and towed with two Quadrasteer Suburbans.

I will make one comment on maintenance. Even though I have been known to fudge a bit on certain vehicle maintenance issues, I have always religiously adhered to the recommended service intervals on the Quadrasteer differentials. The owners manual recommends servicing the Quadrasteer every 15,000 miles. I have stuck to that and (knock on wood) I have never had a problem with the Quadrasteer units. Between the '04 and '05, I have driven these things almost 200,000 miles, much of it towing an Airstream.

Here is one other quick tip. Service of the Quadrasteer requires a special synthetic lubricant. Even if you are going to a GM dealer, call first to make sure that they have the lubricant on hand. Quadrasteers are so rare that many dealers do not stock this lubricant.

Brian

[TouringDan]

Moosetags

Helpful comments like this are what makes you the "go to" guy on quadrasteer subs.

Dan

[drew510]

So mstephens, there is a Quadrasteer Suburban on Craigslist right now in the same city you bought yours - Cathedral City. Could they be the same and this one is a scam? Check it out. I REALLY like this one, but I want 4WD. 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer Beauty

When I googled the vin it cross referenced to the ad you mentioned early in the thread. PS - I am looking for a QS Suburban if anyone is selling!

[drew510]

I posted a question last night about mstephens' 'burb', but it hasn't posted yet (maybe there is a delay and it still will post), but laying in bed last night a light bulb popped and I answered my own question. I saw that this same 'burb' was on Craigslist, in the same area, with different miles and was thinking someone had stolen info from mstephens' truck and posted a scam ad...and then I realized this thread started LAST year around this time. So, my bet is this IS mstephens' rig and HE is now selling it. Maybe he'll come back and post? Curious why he only had it a year. I am VERY much in search of a clean, low mile quadrasteer burb, but alas, I would really like 4WD and his is 2WD.

[moosetags]

We have had two Quadrasteer Suburbans as tow vehicles, an '04 and an '05. The '04 was a 2wd and the '05 is a 4wd. When we bought the Duramax, our son in Atlanta bought the '04 and is using it to tow his travel trailer. We still Olivia (the 2005) and she is till our wintertime tow vehicle.

Having had both, I would say that you are on the right track looking for a 4wd model.

I monitor Ebay and Auto Trader regularly, looking to see if there are any Quadrasteer Suburbans out there. They are becoming really rare. I hardly ever see any out there anymore.

It was a really great feature that I will miss when Olivia is gone.

Brian

[drew510]

Thanks Brian, I appreciate your input as I have been trying to talk myself into making mstephens an offer on his truck but know my heart is in a 4WD version.

I have been able to find them, but they usually have really high miles and no service history (for offer by a dealer). There is one in Sacramento with 170k miles for about $7500 and another 2WD in Colorado for 10k. Finding one with 100k miles or less is REALLY hard.

[moosetags]

Yes, I know. My '05 was the last year of the Q-steer, and it has 140,000 miles on it Good luck in your search.

Brian

[xrvr]

Did they make pickup versions? Thought I saw one at a salvage yard the other day. Been there for a while. Jim

[moosetags]

Yes, Jim, they made Quadrasteer pick-ups also. The pick-ups were made in both 1/2 and 3/4 ton versions. The Suburbans were only made in 3/4 ton as the Quadrasteer axle required a leaf spring rear suspension.

You can always spot a Quadrasteer by the marker lights forward and aft of the rear wheels. The rear track is over 80", requiring these marker lights.

Brian

[xrvr]

Neat! Jim

[moosetags]

The five amber roof marker lights and the three red rear marker lights are also required by Federal regulations. The only time you see the amber roof marker lights on a Suburban, it is a Quadrasteer as these lights were not offered as an option on Suburbans.

Brian