I wanted one as soon as they came out and after never finding one at any dealer I went to the Chevrolet Dealer and they would not order it. I went to the GMC Dealer in February 2003 and order a Sierra 1500HD Crewcab Quadrasteer with the HD Towing package. In may the dealer had me return to the dealership to sign papers. They were release papers from GM and another set of papers releasing both of them from any responsibility because I lived in Wisconsin and they believed I should have ordered a 4 Wheel Drive as they had never built a 2 wheel drive quadrasteer. I could not believe it but signed the papers and on July 2 I received my truck. When you looked at the specifications it was identical to the 3500 except for the smaller wheels but was marketed as a 1500HD. It had heavier components than the 2500 series. The transmission was from the 3500. Lots of transmission and rear axle noises but nothing else different but WOW it was the greatest vehicle I've ever owned. It was a 6.0L gas, 2 wheel drive. I kept it about 5 years and when I sold my 30-R Avion (I used it to tow a 34-V, 32-S, and a 30-R Avion travel Trailers) I thought I would never use a trailer again.
The Sticker price for the 2-wd Dual Quad (4 door, 4 wheel steering) was $49,995 (but at the time there was a $5,000 rebate on the $5,900 Quadrasteer Option, Lots of rebates on the truck, and my GM Mastercard rebate (it was unlimited). So after all the deductions, rebates, the cash price was 27,000 no trade-in net out the door (including the sales tax). The next day I drove from Brookfield Wisconsin to northern Indiana and returned the next week and returned to Indiana hitched onto the 35' Avion and away to New Mexico we went. The truck was rated for 9,900 lb towing (due to the tire limitations) 108° in Missouri, 8° grades in New Mexico and the truck towed just fine. No overheating no lack of power the cruise control kept up to speed going up the grades from Roswell to Ruidoso where we went to stay in Carrizo Canyon the last private home before crossing into the Apache Indian Reservation where the Inn of the Moutain Gods casino was located.
Learning to drive, backing up a trailer was totally different. When you turned the wheel with the rear wheel turning the whole unit (truck and trailer) were turning immediately. You had to drive past your normal turning point or you went sideways into whatever was there along side you.
I sold it in 2008 as I had sold my last Avion a 20-R and thought I would never tow again. The only problem I had was with the rear brakes. I came with 4 wheel disc brakes but it also had the conventional rear brake drums. The conventional drums were there for the emergency brake which I have used. Then it developed a brake drag when turning. Well turns out because I had never used the emergency brake that those drums had rusted and where binding when you turned. It would drag and noise could be heard when you turned at slow speeds. Also from the time the truck was new, I could hear what sounded like a lifter noise from the engine or a manifold leak. Local GMC dealer said that was normal as well as the transmission and rear axle noises in 1st and 2nd gear. So I sold the trailer (to the first person who came) and an Avion friend called and wanted to know if I would sell my truck. the tires were weather checked at 5 years and local Michlin dealer wanted over 1,800 for new tires so I sold it. The biggest mistake I've made right after selling my 30-R Avion. Should have never sold either one.
In spite of having the 4.10 axle If I kept it down to 55 it got great mileage and I could turn it into anywhere. instead of steering like a truck, it felt like you were turning a tighter circle than you could with a Chevette or a Ford Escort for turning diameter. I can remember looking up that the turning radius of the 2wd drive pickups was sharper than the 3wd. I drove it almost 5 years and had just over 50,000 miles on the truck. No problems other than the rear brake drums rusting and that caused a bind and clunk when turning. Probably was affecting the mileage. No heat on the drums so it must not have been bad.
If they made the quadrasteer I would be the first in line to order another one.
Other than the engine, transmissions and rear axle noises never had anything but oil changes and grease job (I think there were either 2 or 4 grease fittings as most had sealed grease. I had to get the grease zirks to put in those places that needed grease as GM did not provide those.
When will they come out with another Quadrasteer I want another. I have a F150 SuperCrew 3.5L Echoboost with Max Towing. I like the truck better than the GMC except for the steering. If anyone made it I would have another one as soon as I could.
