Brakes, too many choices.. What is good, what is not?

I have a 2014 CM 2WD, I tow an 8000lb 35 foot camper trailer once a month. I'm in California so quite a few hills and traffic. Last brake job I did the TRD Pads with Autozone High carbon steel rotors. I was never really impressed with them, they were just ok. (Maybe I expected too much). Now I need brakes all around, not sure what to do. There is Hawk, powerstop, stoptech and lots of other brands. I'm ok with spending a bit of money for something good (Ideally $1k or less) but don't want to spend a ton on big brake upgrades and don't want to get the wrong stuff. Would love to hear what everyone is using and likes or didn't like. Thanks!

 

Factory rotors and pads towing my 8000# TT around the hills of Arkansas. No problems or complaints here. Upgrade would be maybe the Powerstop kits. Also EBC pads have more bite, but won't help with rotor fade if that's an issue. Honestly, keeping the trailer brakes properly adjusted and using appropriate gear selection on steep hills for compression braking, I've never had an issue with my factory setup. 74k miles with no warping or shudder and good pad life left.

 

Just installed stoptech cryo slotted rotors and hawk lts pads. Very happy going from my stock set with warped rotors (40k on them). I drive the mountains in CO as well as downtown Denver . I’d say it’s about 10-20% stronger braking and much smoother. I’ve heard good things about the EBC yellows and would think about those next for a bit more performance.

 

I'm on my 4th set of Powerstop, have been very good to me...even towing a 26 foot TT over 10k ft mountain passes here in CO. I won't use anything else, I believe they have the Extreme version which is what I have, more of an HD application.

 

I put stoptech cryo rotors of front with ebc yellow stuff pads. They were a big improvement but the yellow pads make a lot of dust.

 

Have the Yellowstuff pads here as well. Noisy and dusty but they certainly get the job done well.

 

3rd vote for yellows. Had them on my last truck. They are dusty, won't last forever, but they grip great and get even better when you get them hot. Mine were not noisy as far as squeeks are squeels, but would almost groan when hot and pushed. Was never a concern and the downsides were well worth the better braking performance IMO.

I have a set of blue stuff pads to put on this truck. They are supposed to be one step up from the yellows, increased friction and increased life. I expect them to be just as dusty and noisy though.

 

I went with frozen rotors cryo slotted with hawk green pads. Should have come from the factory like this.

Our trailer is around 6k lbs and the setup has heald up well.

 

EBC pads, Green 6000 series, as mentioned yes they "groan" at times, dusty, with slotted rotors.

 

Did you do the bed in procedure on the new pads/rotors? I just did new OEM Toyota pads and rotors, went through the bedding process.

They do great stopping loads IMO.

You didn't ask about trailer brakes, but just an additional note is that I have always found it less expensive and a better towing experience by upgrading my trailer brakes. Some great drum to disk conversions out there, and a huge leap forward in brake controller technology in the last 10 years. I tow in the mountains and disk brakes and my new Tekonsha controller made a huge difference.

 

I just changed my original pads and rotors on my 16, pads were still at least 50% at 85k miles. The truck would shake when brake pressure was applied so felt after living with the shake for 10k miles it was time, I replaced them with ebc green and ebc slotted rotors, I only have 3k miles on the new setup but damn.. she stops with a purpose, much better than the factory pads and rotors performed in the 40k miles I have put on her. Paid around $50 less than what I would have paid for factory parts

 

I run power stop drilled and slotted on my Lexus and they’re great. Definitely a noticeable improvement over OEM. The Tundra I’m running NAPA premium rotors with Bosch pads. Couple mechanic buddies of mine have had bad luck with NAPA pads squealing.. doesn’t happen with the Bosch pads. They feel great, I don’t do much towing though.

 

Bedding in the pads is very important, follow manufacturers instructions.. Depending on your area, replacing rotors, be sure the axle hub is free of rust..torque lug nuts to spec..

 

I recently put ebc green pads and ebc rotors for $300cad. Made a noticible difference.

 

I'm in same boat, looking for brake setup with rotors. I have 160k on 2014 and my second set of brakes are ready to go. Going 80k on both Toyota sets, I'm hesitant to do aftermarket but looks like good feedback from you folks on changing over.

 

Which Bosch pads? There are a couple of levels (Blue and QuietCast) along with ceramic and semi-metallic formulations.

 

OE rotors with EBC yellow stuff

 

They are the quiet cast ceramics. Very smooth braking with good initial grab.

 

Akebono or Toyota OEM

 

Won’t fit the budget you’ve set, but Alcon brakes are unbelievable. Been towing our RV with my 2018 and it is crazy how well it brakes. Like, stupid crazy.