Towing help (brakes)

dwna1a

dwna1a

Well-Known Member
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Apr 23, 2012
5,981
James River
Boat Info
88 Weekender 300 "Seahorse"
Engines
Twins 350
This is a non boating question but has ties to those of you that tow your boat.

I tow a 16' twin axial trailer and it stays loaded for work and I use my 07 Silverado to get the job done. She has front disc and rear drum brakes. I just did the front disc and rotors now it's the drums turn.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a high quality drum and shoe for trucks that tow trailers with weight?
 
My '98 had drums in the rear, but I think by the time the new body style rolled around (2001-ish) they were discs all around. Unless maybe that base-model still used a combo?
 
Mine are drums. The front is disc with rear drums and shoes.

They were last done two, maybe three years ago. My trailer puts a hurting on them.
 
Have you pulled the drums to take a look? The shoes in the rear will last much, MUCH longer the front pads.
 
My last inspection in the Spring said they were on the edge of failing.

Last week I had to drive to Salem, VA. and the crossing of Afton mountain I had a shutter each time I had to brake. I also had to hit the brakes hard last week when a driver made a left hand turn from the right hand lane. Even the trailers brakes took a beating on that one.

Knowing that I had a warped rotor those got done first. I used Duralast Gold Carbon with Z-Clad rotors and pads up front.
 
The last shoes I put in my 2500 Suburban (which is heavier than your truck and I also towed heavier), if I remember correctly, were the better ones that can be had from a NAPA store. Maybe they were called NAPA "Fleet" or something like that - I walked in a talked with my local NAPA and went with their recommendation. I know them pretty well and I trust their opinion. It's been a while... but whatever they were actually called, I really don't think you need to put much thought into rear shoes. I mean, don't go cheap - but don't beat yourself up trying to find the "best" shoe. Truth is, there is no such thing as "best". Many brands will work just fine.

I've also had great results over the years buying through Tire Rack.
 
I also have a 2007 new body style Silverado and it does indeed have discs in the front and drums in the back. Never have understood why GM did it that way. Cost I suspect. Anyway, I have 230,000 miles on my truck and have only replaced the rear drums once and even then they weren't worn that bad. I've also have the best luck with NAPA brand brakes, whether it be disc or drum.
 
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That's interesting about having rear drums. I know for a fact that the '00 or '01 body style change also incorporated rear discs. But we didn't have any of the "base" trucks, either. Are your '07's "base" trucks... or did GM just make another change in '07 and change them all to rear drums? Rears don't provide all that much braking power anyways, but still seems strange.
 
I'm remembering that GM started to put rear disc brakes on but had some type of issue and went back to drums. Then later went back to disc. For some reason this sticks in my head.
 
from memory on some research i did several years ago i believe drum brakes actually allow for superior braking performance when compared to disc brakes of similar size...this is due to more friction surface between the drum and the brake pad.....that is why trucks often use drum brakes since they are often hauling stuff around....but drum brakes do not allow the pad dust to escape as easily and hold heat longer than disc......this could be a problem with prolonged braking....

but i am old and my memory is not what it used to be....:confused:...

cliff
 
So far I've done nothing with the backend. A buddy of mine has been out west racing with his son. He is going to help me do the brakes and replace the shocks. I figure with him towing a race trailer and the system on his sons Mazda car he would have much more experience than I.
 
It is true that there were trucks with 4 wheel disc brakes prior to '07. In '07 when I bought my truck I think the only way to get 4 wheel discs was to get the vortec MAX package, which included the 6.0L engine and 4 wheel disc brakes. Everything else had rear drums. No idea why this was done. I read several "theories" online, but who knows for sure. I can say that I've never had any trouble coming to stop with my truck and it has way more stopping power than I've ever needed.
 
The only time mine has any issue is when I have the trailer. It's a older 14' twin axial that has two 4000psi washers and all their hoses and equipment. 6 fiberglass ladders from 28' to 6'. It's pretty heavy. My truck handles it very well but it does put a hurting on my brakes. Traffic around here is stop and go till I get away from town.
 
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