Brake upgrade

Hi All,
I’m a complete newbie to owning a truck (any 4WD vehicle actually.) It’s also my first time regularly towing a trailer. Total trailer weight is around 8500-9000 pounds. I’ve towed trailers in the past with other people’s trucks and they were always larger vehicles (F250/350 etc.) I understand that towing affects the braking dynamics, but is it possible to install larger/more powerful brakes on the Tundra to help this a little? Is this a ridiculous thought? Not useful? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

https://exitoffroad.com/product/powerbrake-stage-2-toyota-tundra-big-brake-kit-for-2022/

I guess there's only front brake options. I would think replacing all four corners would yield better results, but maybe the juice isn't worth the squeeze when the front does most of the braking.

Apparently, Stoptech has a big brake kit for the 22+ Tundra as well, but requires 20" wheels, while the Powerbrake only requires 18"

 

More than I would tow with a 1/2 ton.

 

I’d say it’s more important that your trailer brakes are in good shape vs. upgrading your trucks brakes. I mean, it doesn’t hurt to upgrade but the trailer brakes are plenty strong for the rated GVWR of the trailer.

 

Man that's odd in the Powerbrake calipers the amount of dissimilar metals in that caliper is crazy (stainless steel and Aluminum), I would worry about long term galvanic corrosion issues on those calipers especially somewhere like the Midwest where they heavily salt the roads. I mean heat from braking and salt and you have a perfect conditions for galvanic corrosion (I'm sure a little brake dust in there would help that along too). Nice piece of kit but don't think that will hold up well over their life. My opinion of course.

 

I suggest you read up on max payload for Tundras. You'll likely be right on the edge, if not over, the limit.

+1 on the trailer brakes part.

 

Is the spider aluminum? Power Brake makes another version with just the steel disc and no spider. For what it's worth, steel discs floating on aluminum spiders has been a thing for a long time in the cycling world, and galvanic corrosion has rarely been a problem.

I'm sure there's just as much a mishmash of materials within the OEM brakes, but I don't actually know.

 

I've mentioned this in a couple of other discussions about brakes for the 3rd Gen...

PowerBrake is awesome, and for the OP, might be the way to go since he's towing such a heavy trailer.

If you're like me and you want a brake upgrade, but without the giant cost of a PowerBrake setup, then you might look at R1 Concepts. I went through a couple sets of Toyota OE pads & rotors on my 2012 4Runner before I finally upgraded to drilled & slotted rotors and pads from R1. They were a huge upgrade from OE.

I asked R1's customer service team recently, and they told me that the engineers have assigned part #'s for the 3rd Gen Tundra stuff. However, there's still no ETA on inventory yet. Hopefully, this means they're close. Just something to keep an eye on. You can generally pick up their front brake kit (Drilled & slotted rotors & a set of pads) for about $500.

R1 Concepts customer service gave me the following part #s:

• Front Rotors: 604-76162L & 604-76162R
• Front Pads: 2400-2442-00
• Rear Rotors: 604-76163L & 604-76163R
• Rear Pads: 2400-2439-00

These part #'s are for their "off road performance" level pads, if you're familiar with how R1 grades their pads. It's their "high friction" material recommended for vehicles with oversized tires or heavy towing.

 

https://alconkits.com/ makes the only front and rear kit that clears a 17". Running this on my old mans tundra and he tows etc. I imagine they can adjust the brackets to accommodate you gen 3 owners.

 

Has anybody upgraded their brake pads with stock rotors?
e.g. EBC yellowstuff pads ?

 

Yes, the yellows eat through stock pads.

 

Had EBC Yellowstuff pads on my 2015, they did not last long and I had way too much dust from them on my wheels. I won't buy again.

 

Performance of the yellows is awesome no doubt. Lots of dust and quicker wear of the stock rotors. Advise on cryo rotors if using the yellows pads

 

Thank for the headsup on the rotors.
Im looking for some extra bite compared to stock and for less brake fade offroad, brakes feel like pudding after a few hard baja miles.

 

The yellows did well on my rig in Baja. But the real answer is the Alcon kit.

 

I appreciate everyone's input. I will definitely get the trailer brakes evaluated this year before I start towing again.

A few of the comments mentioned that I may be towing too close or even above the max capacity. From the paperwork and brochure, the max towing capacity for the 2022 4x4 Platinum Crewmax is 11,050 lbs. As I mentioned, I'm a truck newbie. Is towing 8500-9000 lbs considered too close to the max capacity of 11,050? Thanks again for any advice!

 

BBKs are overkill for most people. Upgrading rotors, brake pad composition, and brake fluid should be enough to handle most towing applications.

 

Payload on these campers is 1300+, not sure what they took out verses putting in a flat deck to adjust for payload. Not my video, I am no way associated with it, just a viewer.

EDIT: Looks to be a SR5 DC TRD-OR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxYi-bYrabU

 

What's pay load...? Did I say that right?

 

@romanlegion has a brake kit under his 17s, and it's not Alcon, though I don't remember who it is.

 

Pretty close to the same price point, though. Rotora is the brand, I believe.

 

Yes. It is Rotora brakes.

 

I think this is a good deal for anyone in the market
https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/BrakeKitsProdFront?itemno=140-17528