Brakes pads to help with towing??
 

Hey guys, so been pulling the boat and I think its time to get some new pads. I was really hoping for some recommendations to beef up stopping power on the truck. I have a 2005 F150 5.4 liter 2wd, and the truck does a good job. Issue is I dont have brakes on the trailer, so for now im looking for possibly better pads to help?? Any suggestions?

These are all I use now.
http://akebonobrakes.com/pro-act

Quiet, stop well, very little dust. rockauto.com or amazon has them.

Avoid ceramic pads for towing. Good quality semi-metallic will take care of you well. They handle the stopping much better with tow weights. Brands like Bendix, Napa’s Safety-Stop, or Wagner will be fine.

That is said quite a bit on the net, but has anyone actually experienced inferior stopping due to ceramic brakes?

The Akebono ProACT ceramics are on my F-150 and BMW M-Roadster. They stop just as well or better than the old semi-metallics that they replaced.

You probably already know this but if the trailer exceeds 3,000 pounds in most states, you must have brakes.



http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/

I know the law, but its florida lol. Over here, a cop would be excited to know that I actually have a licence plate for that matter. My trailer and boat all together is about 6000 lbs and the truck does a decent job to be honest. Its the brakes that just dont have that grab, but Im thinking its b/c I dont have the right pads.

Ive heard of the issue of ceramic pads, but I just dont ever see the proof. People will say it, but I feel like thats more he said she said. I may just go semi metallic, b/c i have no desire to be the pioneer with the boat behind haha.

Your breaks probably 'don't have that grab' 'cuz you're trying to stop the better part of 12,000 pounds with them...

that said, I've been a fan of Hawk breaks, and I'm sure everyone else's recommendations are good as well.

Before anything else, make sure they're well bled and the fluid is up to what you're asking them to do.

It’s what techs are told in every brake clinic I’ve ever sat in on. You just get a better bite with a semi metallic pad. There’s some difference on heat dissipation and brake fade between the two, but semi-met will hold up better to the punishment put on a brake system from towing. Heat absorption etc... A quick google search will lay it all out.

You say you notice no difference on your truck, but do you regularly tow large weights around?

HAWK LTS .. made for towing trucks and SUV’s. Paired these Pads with some EBC ultra sport slotted rotors.. great stopping power. Personally if I were towing 6K pounds, I would install trailer brakes.

I would install brakes, but in about 2 years im gonna buy a new trailer so its not really worth it to spend that type of money on this trailer. I am also thinking about upgrading to a gas HD truck which I was really impressed by a denali 6.0 I rode in. That truck has bigger brakes, and you barely feel weight, and no diesel hassle.

Im between the wagner severe duty sx, and the Hawk lts so let me see how the pricing is looking. I appreciate you guys, I am sure many others will appreciate knowing this. I wish we had brakes like those Tundra's do, those are serious.