I have the Max. Towing Package on my '09 F-150 XLT SuperCrew. I'm upgrading my travel trailer to a 32' that will probably weigh a bit shy of 7000# fully loaded for camping.

Has anyone upgraded their brakes for better stopping in a towing application? The brakes on it now are OK but a bit soft. I'd only be willing to upgrade rotors and pads.

Looking for opinions and recommendations.

 

EBC

 

First of all, don't worry about it unless you actually experience braking difficulty. Secondly, your trailer brakes are more likely to need attention than your truck brakes.

 

Using Tow/Haul mode, I am hardly ever using my stock service brakes until I'm below 35 mph. The braking effect of the transmission does an excellent job of slowing me down. A properly adjusted TBC and good trailer brakes should make braking smooth and easy. Anticipate your stops and brake early. Even in rather hard braking situations, I been able to keep my rig under control. I tow a similar weighted trailer; maybe just slightly smaller.

 

Agree, first make sure your trailer brakes are working, adjusted and the controller is set up properly. That's your weak link. And keep checking them, as all sorts of things can go wrong, like broken wires & grease seal leakage.

And use Tow/Haul to let the engine/tranny brake you down..

On extremely steep windy downhill runs, you may need to manually keep it in first or second gear. Don't hesitate to let the RPMS get up there, that's where your engine braking will be most effective, but be careful not to over-rev.

 

I tow a TT that weights about #7200-7400 when we tow. No braking problems whatsoever. The tranny can be your friend...either Tow/Haul or Manual Shift.

 

Trailers are usually the culprit when it comes to soft braking while towing but if the truck feels soft all on its own than you can switch to a high quality semi-metallic pad and swap out your rubber brake hoses for metal brake hoses. Rubber brake hoses go soft over time and will expand like a sausage when the brakes are applied, making the brakes feel squishy. Metal brake hoses do not expand thus allowing all of the braking fluid to act on the caliper piston instead of trying to expand a rubber hose. Its a common swap out on motorcycles and makes a huge difference.

 

Thanks for all the replies. When the truck is due for brake work, I'll look into the semi-metallic pads. Once I take possession of the trailer, I'll take it to a trusted local shop to check the bearings and brakes.