Brakes rotor & pads question

[HangmanNY]

Hey fellas,

I have a 2015 ram 1500 big horn. We have been doing a lot of towing of a small 5 x 10 enclosed trailer back-and-forth from New York State to Florida.

In the past, I have ordered the Raybestos Element 3 rotors & pads from rock auto. I need to replace the front and rear rotors again (after about 40,000 miles). We will probably be 24 foot camper trailer next year. Using a hitch.

Are there better heavy duty rotor and pads options that you guys recommend?

Thanks!

 

[zrock]

alot of people like the Power stop and have had good success with them.. Doing some quick reading it seem that the raybestos have went down hill in quality over the last few years and i tend to agree. Yesterday i had to change out the rear coils on my truck and looked at the rear brakes and seen they are probably down to 50%. Everything was new 2 years ago and i will guarantee i have less than 20000km on the truck.
Im not a big fan of ceramic i put a set on my last veh and to me it seemed that i had lost stopping power. I would have went back to a standard pad but this was a GM with the famous brake squeal and these were the only pads i could find that would not squeal. On all my other veh i went with the cheaper organic pads and would always have lots of life left when i sold the veh and very little wear on the rotors or drums..

 

[Daw14]

Power stop is a good upgrade . Get those brakes hooked up andworking properly on your new trailer and that will be an improvement all around, plus it will help in a bad situation.

 

[PaulGT]

Hey Mr. Hangman, I had a 2012 Ram a few years back, and at about 92,000 miles I decided I had enough of fixing/adjusting and pad and rotor swapping every 30,000 miles or so. I discovered Powerstop brakes a few years earlier and put them on my Mercedes GL550 because I sure wasn’t going to spend the kind of money for Mercedes brand brakes that the dealer wanted. I drove that SUV for over 60,000 miles before I sold it to my best buddy, and he’s now continued driving those same brakes (rotors) to 182,000 miles.. which translates to 122K on the rotors. Pads were replaced at around 70K of use. That said, I put the same brakes on my 2012 Ram. Like you, I drive long trailering miles from Wisconsin to Key West, Florida, where I spend half my year. I had 94,000miles on those brakes with no issue at all. Traded that truck and I’m now driving a 2020Laramie Longhorn. Original Ram brakes were good, but as I continue to drive this truck all over our country pulling boats, PWC’s, and also a 34 foot enclosed trailer, I will ONLY change my brakes over to the Powerstop Drilled and Slotted rotors with either Powerstop or EBC pads designed for my type of use. Personally I’ve gotten over 90K miles of service from these things, and I see no reason in my case to use any other brand. As a matter of fact, mine came in last Thursday, and will be on my truck tomorrow, so I’m all set when I head back to Florida in three weeks. Sorry for the long winded email about brakes, but I just wanted to share my experiences with what I consider to be an incredible product.

 

[HangmanNY]

alot of people like the Power stop and have had good success with them.. Doing some quick reading it seem that the raybestos have went down hill in quality over the last few years and i tend to agree. Yesterday i had to change out the rear coils on my truck and looked at the rear brakes and seen they are probably down to 50%. Everything was new 2 years ago and i will guarantee i have less than 20000km on the truck.
Im not a big fan of ceramic i put a set on my last veh and to me it seemed that i had lost stopping power. I would have went back to a standard pad but this was a GM with the famous brake squeal and these were the only pads i could find that would not squeal. On all my other veh i went with the cheaper organic pads and would always have lots of life left when i sold the veh and very little wear on the rotors or drums..

I’ve been looking at the power stop options under the “Heavy Duty, Long Life Truck & Tow” category.

They are making references to a specific rotor size. How do I know if these rotors will fit my truck? I’m searching it under the category for my vehicle. But I thought I would ask before I place an order. And it looks like all of the Power Stop products come with ceramic pads. Are they good or not in the Ram Trucks. I changed the left front caliper and brake hose the last time. I’ll probably change the right side as well. Any better brands of calipers for these vehicles?

Thanks!

 

[chri5k]

I have had great performance and life from Brake Performance rotors and EBS Extra Duty pads. Over 100k miles and still working well. I regularly tow a 13,000 lb trailer.

 

[HangmanNY]

Hey Mr. Hangman, I had a 2012 Ram a few years back, and at about 92,000 miles I decided I had enough of fixing/adjusting and pad and rotor swapping every 30,000 miles or so. I discovered Powerstop brakes a few years earlier and put them on my Mercedes GL550 because I sure wasn’t going to spend the kind of money for Mercedes brand brakes that the dealer wanted. I drove that SUV for over 60,000 miles before I sold it to my best buddy, and he’s now continued driving those same brakes (rotors) to 182,000 miles.. which translates to 122K on the rotors. Pads were replaced at around 70K of use. That said, I put the same brakes on my 2012 Ram. Like you, I drive long trailering miles from Wisconsin to Key West, Florida, where I spend half my year. I had 94,000miles on those brakes with no issue at all. Traded that truck and I’m now driving a 2020Laramie Longhorn. Original Ram brakes were good, but as I continue to drive this truck all over our country pulling boats, PWC’s, and also a 34 foot enclosed trailer, I will ONLY change my brakes over to the Powerstop Drilled and Slotted rotors with either Powerstop or EBC pads designed for my type of use. Personally I’ve gotten over 90K miles of service from these things, and I see no reason in my case to use any other brand. As a matter of fact, mine came in last Thursday, and will be on my truck tomorrow, so I’m all set when I head back to Florida in three weeks. Sorry for the long winded email about brakes, but I just wanted to share my experiences with what I consider to be an incredible product.

What are EBC pads?

 

[HangmanNY]

Hey Mr. Hangman, I had a 2012 Ram a few years back, and at about 92,000 miles I decided I had enough of fixing/adjusting and pad and rotor swapping every 30,000 miles or so. I discovered Powerstop brakes a few years earlier and put them on my Mercedes GL550 because I sure wasn’t going to spend the kind of money for Mercedes brand brakes that the dealer wanted. I drove that SUV for over 60,000 miles before I sold it to my best buddy, and he’s now continued driving those same brakes (rotors) to 182,000 miles.. which translates to 122K on the rotors. Pads were replaced at around 70K of use. That said, I put the same brakes on my 2012 Ram. Like you, I drive long trailering miles from Wisconsin to Key West, Florida, where I spend half my year. I had 94,000miles on those brakes with no issue at all. Traded that truck and I’m now driving a 2020Laramie Longhorn. Original Ram brakes were good, but as I continue to drive this truck all over our country pulling boats, PWC’s, and also a 34 foot enclosed trailer, I will ONLY change my brakes over to the Powerstop Drilled and Slotted rotors with either Powerstop or EBC pads designed for my type of use. Personally I’ve gotten over 90K miles of service from these things, and I see no reason in my case to use any other brand. As a matter of fact, mine came in last Thursday, and will be on my truck tomorrow, so I’m all set when I head back to Florida in three weeks. Sorry for the long winded email about brakes, but I just wanted to share my experiences with what I consider to be an incredible product.

Thanks for all the details. I think I’m gonna go with the Power Stop rotors and pads all around. Did you still use the factory calipers? Or did you swap those out at some point? I see that power stop has a package set on rock Auto, including the calipers.

I’m assuming that the calipers they make are probably also good quality?

 

[Jeepwalker]

For your application I would personally go with the Mopar OEM pads. Most guys get big time miles out of them. Low dust. Dyno tests show OEM pads perform the best compared to aftermarket (look it up on youtube) ...although Power Stop pads weren't in those tests. Just because guys say they like them...so what? What is that based on? But it sounds like you've already made up your mind. Happy motoring!

 

[DILLIGAF]

so what? What is that based on?

Some of us have actually been beating the **** out of our truck for 10+ years.

OEM sucks and we have receipts to prove it.

I had to buy a 2 post lift just to work on it it broke so much . Every new Ram should come with a BendPax voucher

 

[Mike Townsend]

I put R1 Concept Geomet rotors and their carbon ceramic pads. They made a huge difference. This things stops way shorter than it used to or should. Best thing about the Geomet rotors is they never get surface rust. yeah not a huge deal but they look better. LOL

 

[mdc1990zr1]

Hey fellas,

I have a 2015 ram 1500 big horn. We have been doing a lot of towing of a small 5 x 10 enclosed trailer back-and-forth from New York State to Florida.

In the past, I have ordered the Raybestos Element 3 rotors & pads from rock auto. I need to replace the front and rear rotors again (after about 40,000 miles). We will probably be 24 foot camper trailer next year. Using a hitch.

Are there better heavy duty rotor and pads options that you guys recommend?

Thanks!

My 2016 came with OEM semi-met pads. If I don't go with OEM, I put Wagner HD semi-met pads on. I believe they are the SX series.

 

[HangmanNY]

I see that Power Stop HD trailer/tow rotors & pads (Z36) have different options.

Have you guys kept the original calipers? I have 131,000 mile now. I see that Power Stop has a package with front & rear rotors, pads and calipers. Have any of you guys tried the Power Stop calipers? Also are there any better brake hose manufacturers for a 2015 ram 1500?

Thanks!

 

[crash68]

What are EBC pads?

They make great brake pads tailored for the type of driving you do along with vehicle type.
They make a Extra Duty brake pads for light duty vehicles, even 2500/3500 trucks are considered "light duty".

EBC Extra Duty Light Truck, Jeep and SUV Brake Pads - EBC Brakes

Extra Duty Light truck, Jeep and SUV brake pads by EBC Brakes product page. The new Extra Duty brake pads are suitable for light truck, jeep & SUV.

www.ebcbrakes.com

 

[04fxdwgi]

I see that Power Stop HD trailer/tow rotors & pads (Z36) have different options.

Have you guys kept the original calipers? I have 131,000 mile now. I see that Power Stop has a package with front & rear rotors, pads and calipers. Have any of you guys tried the Power Stop calipers? Also are there any better brake hose manufacturers for a 2015 ram 1500?

Thanks!

The Z36 set is what I put on my '16. I have never had a truck stop this well and that's been since the '70's. I kept the OEM calipers and had zero problems with the install. Just be sure to change all your brake fluid and bleed it well.

Don't know about the hoses specifically, but I get my braided brake lines for Summit or Jegs racing. Going to a S/S braided hose you will immediately feel an increase in brake pedal stiffness, as the braided line doesn't swell like the std hoses when pressurized.

Just a warning. Follow the break in procedure to the letter.

 

[diymirage]

The Z36 set is what I put on my '16. I have never had a truck stop this well and that's been since the '70's. I kept the OEM calipers and had zero problems with the install. Just be sure to change all your brake fluid and bleed it well.

Don't know about the hoses specifically, but I get my braided brake lines for Summit or Jegs racing. Going to a S/S braided hose you will immediately feel an increase in brake pedal stiffness, as the braided line doesn't swell like the std hoses when pressurized.

Just a warning. Follow the break in procedure to the letter.

Now you got me thinking about a set (I plow with mine so it's hard on em)

So I decided to read some reviews...sounds like a Mopar guy to me

 

[CanuckRam1313]

PowerStop Z36 kit.
Kit also comes with new caliper slider clips and rubber slider pin boots.
You won't be disappointed with these brakes.
Just make sure you follow their recommended bedding in process.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Have you guys kept the original calipers? I have 131,000 mile now.

Caliper replacement is generally something ya do when the tk NEEDS them replaced. I would think on a 2015 even in NY state, you should be ok. But worth a look. Most aftermarket calipers are going to use a chrome-plated steel piston which....IMO, is inferior to the factory calipers which use a phenolic piston which is SS capped, neither of which transmits heat to the caliper very well (less chance of boiling the fluid -- losing brakes), and doesn't corrode/rust. SS is not a good conductor of heat. Neither is reson and fiber plastic. If you tow or drive down long hills this little engineering detail could be really important. And maybe the Powerstop calipers have them.

Our 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee with almost 250k mi still has the original brake calipers and it gets driven in WI winters. I took piston out a few yrs ago on one, when doing the brakes...just to see what they looked like inside. Even though the outside of the caliper was pretty darn rusty, the inside looked like it was made 3 days prior! It was THAT clean inside. I put it back together and they're still good. But one is getting harder to slide..rust build-up under the sliding o-rings.

Much of the trouble around calipers has to do with rust building up on the rubber bushings which they slide on (via the pins). Rust jacks under the big o-rings and makes them operate 'tight' onto the sliding pins. Then they no longer slide freely and 'hang-up'. They can get rusty inside if ya never replaced your tk's brake fluid. But even a 2015 should be ok there I would think.

Another issue is brake pads can wear a groove in the knuckle or sliding assembly which they get caught in...and can't get out of.

A 2015 isn't THAT old, but on a poorly maintained vehicle...it's possible the caliper Do...need replacing. But more than likely they don't *need* to be. My 2012's are original. They looked fine last time I did the brakes a few yrs ago.

I'd look first before buying if it were me. If money isn't an object you can't go wrong replacing them. It'll force ya to flush the fluid too. Ideal in my book would be to try to find calipers which are Cad plated and if possible with phenolic pistons (Advance Auto had them last pr I got).

 

[09SilverRam]

How are the Wagner Thermoquiet for our trucks? Their pads and rotors are generally well regarded for other half tons.

 

[Jeepwalker]

I've used the Wagners a lot over the yrs. They work fine. Good to great, I guess. I don't recall any red flags. Brake dust was about typical.

You could consider the Premium Akebono's. Some parts stores and online places sell them. Thats what Ram had been using for yrs. Are you doing your own brakes or having a shop do them? (sorry if it was mentioned before)