StabiliTrak for 2003 Ext. Cab Trucks

[TxDoc]

"Will be an option on all GM 5.3L 1500 series SUV's AND extended cab pickups", from July/Aug Truck Trend. Article scanned below.

 

The new four channel StabiliTrak operates in harmony with the antilock brake and traction control systems to selectively apply any of the four brakes in an effort to help the driver counteract and diffuse potentially dangerous handling situations, such as severe oversteer or understeer. This four-channel StabiliTrak system is designed to optimize vehicle contact with the road surface.

 

Stability enhancement helps a driver maintain control, increasing the odds of avoiding a crash. While loss of control is most likely to happen on ice, snow or wet pavement, these systems improve stability on a variety of surfaces and speeds, as well as in emergency lane changes or avoidance maneuvers.

 

"Stability enhancement increases the ability of the driver to control the truck," Woychowski said. "GM's systems are designed to feel natural and to provide smooth, transparent assistance only when it is necessary. In most cases, the driver doesn't know that the system has been activated, except for an indicator light on the instrument panel."

 

As impressive as these systems are, it is important to remember that they cannot override physics. There will be circumstances in which this technology will not be able to overcome gross driver error or other road hazards.

[Big Boy]

Seems like that could be problematic for trucks.  While the implications on road are great, off road it could lead to a significant change in handling.