I’ve been towing my side by side a lot more lately and even though I just had brakes done with new pads, calipers and rear rotors, it doesn’t stop as well as I’d like. My next trailer will have brakes. 2010 Toyota Tundra double cab 4x4. I do have plus one sized E rated tires and may try to get a Lighter LT tire next time for other reasons as well.

I overheated them once coming down a ski hill slope, my fault but they’ve been fine since.

However, I’d like to upgrade pads and at least the front rotors as they have 90k on them and were turned once. The rear rotors are new but I’ve read that they wear faster.

I may even look at upgrading the brake fluid if that will help.

I just put a power stop kit on my f150 sc 4x4.
I haven't towed my boat with them on but just driving around they seem great. I'm thinking if I stand on them they'll do a good job.
I googled for prices. 4 Wheel parts had the best price mid 300's

Front rotors typically wear quicker than rear as the weight is transferred to the front during braking.

For your application, definitely do not go cheap on tires and brakes. You'll need them when it comes to the extra weight.

I would go back with factory pads and rotors when needed. The braking system on the Tundras are WAY overbuilt.

Brake fluid should be flushed every three years regardless of mileage.

I’ve had nothing but bad luck with aftermarket brake solutions on my 4Runners, stock is better. My mechanic has told me there are two different part numbers for Toyota pads. One that comes on your truck when new and a lower priced replacement (usually what dealerships put on for advertised brake “specials”). You want the original pads.

Do yourself a favor, go with OEM Toyota pads and rotors. The Bosch premium rotors also worked well for me.

All of the above, plus it would be WAY cheaper to buy a trailer with brakes.

OE or other quality brakes as recommended above first.
Call around to trailer builders or larger repair places. They buy complete axle assemblies in bulk including the wheels and tires and just plug them onto the trailers they build. The assemblies are not that expensive. They can just replace the whole axle assembly with one with brakes and the few wires required.
You will need a brake controller installed on the truck and a little wiring.

BuyBrakes.com is a great place with just about everything you need, EBC, Powerstop etc.
Got a set of EBC's for the wife's Xterra at a great price too.

You can try a slotted rotor in the front to help with the heat when you replace them. I just put new Calipers (rebuilt and powder coated Toyota), rotors and pads on the Wife's 2004 4runner and used the slotted rotors.

I think one important thing that is often missed is bedding in new brake pads and rotors. Almost any pad or rotor manufacturer will tell you it is critical to bed the system in for performance and longevity. I seriously doubt any dealership or repair shop bothers to do this.

quote:

You can try a slotted rotor in the front to help with the heat when you replace them. I just put new Calipers (rebuilt and powder coated Toyota), rotors and pads on the Wife's 2004 4runner and used the slotted rotors.

I had better luck on both a Suburban and a Yukon XL with this change. Also, I'd pass on ever turning a set of front rotors on a truck I tow any significant weight with. You want as much material there as possible and the minor cost of new rotors is well worth it.

As others have stated, I would recommend OEM for everything. Cheaply made chinese brake components are exactly that, cheaply made.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCourage:
You can try a slotted rotor in the front to help with the heat when you replace them. I just put new Calipers (rebuilt and powder coated Toyota), rotors and pads on the Wife's 2004 4runner and used the slotted rotors.

I think one important thing that is often missed is bedding in new brake pads and rotors. Almost any pad or rotor manufacturer will tell you it is critical to bed the system in for performance and longevity. I seriously doubt any dealership or repair shop bothers to do this.

Slotted rotors don’t actually remove more heat. They only help remove brake gases and dust faster than smooth rotors.

My mechanic always stays with OEM parts, too.

Get some EBC pads. They will cost you, but they will be much more resistant to fade than the stockers. I have 2 cars and 2 bikes, and they all wear EBC.

These would be perfect. They feel great, and I've never managed to make a set of them fade.

The front brakes on my 2006 4-Runner lasted 150K miles. I took them to a dealer expecting replacement with Toyota parts. I had a cracked caliber, so they had to replace them as well as the pads. Three weeks later my calipers and discs were covered with rust. When I took it back, they admitted they had used parts from Carquest. I insisted they re-do the job with Toyota parts. I had to laugh, when the female service writer said she wasn't sure if Carquest would take back the parts. I explained that would be her problem, not mine. Moral of story, insist on Toyota parts.

Just wondering: on your Tundra, are already using the TRD pads? I've heard the TRD pads improving braking and are more resistant to fading.

I'm considering putting them on my truck next (stock rotors, TRD pads). If you're already using the TRD pads, I may re-think this.

Not TRD pads. Edit: They are Raybestos Pro Grade pads.

Truck stops great unloaded. Does pretty well with the trailer but could be better.

I forgot about just swapping axles on the trailer. I didn’t want to sell and buy another trailer this summer.

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:
Not TRD pads. They are good quality Wagners.

The words good quality and Wagner do not belong in the same sentence. We only recommend Toyota factory pads at my shop, especially with a vehicle such as the Tundra. Tundra's stop extremely well with factory pads and rotors. They tend to wear quicker than other brands of vehicles, but stop like no other. Get those Wagner pads off that vehicle...

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCourage:
You can try a slotted rotor in the front to help with the heat when you replace them. I just put new Calipers (rebuilt and powder coated Toyota), rotors and pads on the Wife's 2004 4runner and used the slotted rotors.

I think one important thing that is often missed is bedding in new brake pads and rotors. Almost any pad or rotor manufacturer will tell you it is critical to bed the system in for performance and longevity. I seriously doubt any dealership or repair shop bothers to do this.

Slotted rotors don’t actually remove more heat. They only help remove brake gases and dust faster than smooth rotors.

The result being better pad bite and less fade under heavy use and that was my point.