Crab drive

[hoser]

I just watched a commercial for GMC and Hummer EV's and they have what we in the trades call "crab drive" For those who want to know what crab drive is, The front wheels and the back wheels both turn in the same direction. Front and back both at 45* right or left. Now we had that on our Drott carry deck crane for getting into tight spots for a lift. So could someone enlighten this old man with the brains of a roadkill squashed grape, why you would need crab drive on a car or truck other than it seems to be cool. I can tell you from experience, crab drive is a royal pain it the butt. But I also have to admit the tracks in the snow on the commercial looked pretty cool.

 

[airbornebob]

easier to park?

 

[stetam]

Like bob said, easier to parallel park. But no one wants a sinking EV.

Steve

 

[KingTotsalot]

I just watched a commercial for GMC and Hummer EV's and they have what we in the trades call "crab drive" For those who want to know what crab drive is, The front wheels and the back wheels both turn in the same direction. Front and back both at 45* right or left. Now we had that on our Drott carry deck crane for getting into tight spots for a lift. So could someone enlighten this old man with the brains of a roadkill squashed grape, why you would need crab drive on a car or truck other than it seems to be cool. I can tell you from experience, crab drive is a royal pain it the butt. But I also have to admit the tracks in the snow on the commercial looked pretty cool.

KT also saw that commercial, a very slick effort, but recognized it is not independent front and rear drive, which when rockcrawling is a major advantage over straight 4 wheel drive with only front wheel steering….something KT often watches on YouTube videos. But That slick piece of synchronized driving was cool to watch. KT wonders how much of it was computer generated, as it has that “look”. Kinda mind warping.

 

[MasonDixonMding]

My guess it’s just to be cool to sell trucks. Most of the 4x4 trucks on the road now a days never see dirt or ever need 4wheel drive. This cool thing sucks it has inflated the prices and now it’s hard to find a truck with out all these bells and whistles. Most of the trucks on the road don’t even have a 8’ bed. It’s not a truck if it doesn’t have a 8’ bed it’s a suv.

 

[markinmichigan]

It’s not a truck if it doesn’t have a 8’ bed it’s a suv.

AMEN to that!!

Mark in Michigan

 

[Dangerranger60]

My long bed crew cab turns like a school buss. If the back wheels turned it could probably fit through a drive through [without endangering any curbs]. DR

 

[stetam]

Even though I have a 2024 Duramax....

 

[markinswpa]

I just watched a commercial for GMC and Hummer EV's and they have what we in the trades call "crab drive" For those who want to know what crab drive is, The front wheels and the back wheels both turn in the same direction. Front and back both at 45* right or left. Now we had that on our Drott carry deck crane for getting into tight spots for a lift. So could someone enlighten this old man with the brains of a roadkill squashed grape, why you would need crab drive on a car or truck other than it seems to be cool. I can tell you from experience, crab drive is a royal pain it the butt. But I also have to admit the tracks in the snow on the commercial looked pretty cool.

I remember they tried that a few years ago. Didn't really take off. IMO thats just another thing to break, and lets face it, they just don't build things to last anymore. Imagine getting stuck crab crawl. Couldn't even tow it. No, too many moving parts for too few applications. My 2 cents.

 

[Kansashunter]

easier to park?

This might be the only advantage.

 

[graybeard]

Some tractors had crab walk on them. One big problem was it would engage in crab walk while driving down the road, so the next thing you could end up heading in the path of oncoming traffic .. not good.