TV Brake Pads

[Rugged Lilac]

I am replacing my TV brake pads this weekend. I see they offer heavy duty pads made for towing and OEM. My OEM have done good so far but thought I would ask if anyone had upgraded to the HD Pads? Pros Cons? I drive a 2021 Ram 2500. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Skilletface]

If it is in your budget upgrade to the HD pads. Not sure of the pad material you are looking at, for the most part the HD pad composition is designed to dissipate heat faster. The real heat dissipation comes in when the slotted disks are added. Although not necessary, everything comes down to budget and the expected terrain you plan to be visiting.

 

[Rugged Lilac]

The cost difference is negligible. Budget is not really a concern I just want to get the right pads for the right job. I don't tow every day but like to make sure I've got the right ones for the job. I will be driving through the mountains so strong pads will be helpful

 

[Rugged Lilac]

Also fun trivia...Dealership quoted me $958 for MOPAR Pads. so needless to say I will be going to NAPA or Rockauto...

 

[jleonard]

Please report when the job is done as I also have a 2021 Ram and will be looking at this job soon. Thanks in advance.

 

[JPS350]

I recently bought a set of Power Stop slotted and drilled front and rear rotors and pads for my 2017 ram 1500. Haven't installed them yet but they should be a nice upgrade. I got them from American Truck and they cost me the same or a little less than buying the usual heavy duty rotors and pads from the local part store. They can also be bought from the local parts stores, but are usually not stocked and have to be ordered in.

 

[redfernclan]

First ask yourself if what you have is acceptable? Does it stop well? How many miles did you get out of your old pads? Do they fad on a hill?
Brake pads that grab better are not necessary better pads. I'll bet without antilock brakes your old pads would lock the wheels up. Can't get much better than that.
From the factory, my Durango came with semi-metallic pads. Great for heat dissipation and towing. At 120,000 miles I was on my 3rd set of rotors with the original pads. I would call them TOO hard of a pad.
In my humble opinion, Nothing wrong with just changing the pads when they are worn out. Rotors are also a consumable item, but not before the pads.
A good balance is a pad and rotor combo where you need new rotors about every other pad change. But that is also rating pads and rotors on periodicity of changing, not performance.
I guess it goes back to performance. If you old ones were satisfactory in regards to performance and life, I would stay with them.
I'm just trying to point out you can go to an HD pad, but may wear you rotors out quicker.

 

[OC455-]

I replaced the pads, rotors and the emergency brakes on my 3500. Pads and rotors were Severe Service rated.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I replaced the pads, rotors and the emergency brakes on my 3500. Pads and rotors were Severe Service rated.

What kind of mileage did you get out of your pad and rotors? I've got a 2018 dually with 140,000 miles and wondering if I'm about due for a change.

 

[18CrewDually]

Also fun trivia...Dealership quoted me $958 for MOPAR Pads. so needless to say I will be going to NAPA or Rockauto...

Since you mentioned Napa, my Napa offers Akebono Severe duty pads so I always use them on my duallies and customers. Akebono is an OE supplier.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

What kind of mileage did you get out of your pad and rotors? I've got a 2018 dually with 140,000 miles and wondering if I'm about due for a change.

I replaced the pads/rotors on my 2018 just a few months ago. The pads actually had lots of meat left on them but the rotors were buggered. Most likely because of road salt. They use A LOT around here.
The pins your caliper slides on is where brakes fail most often nowadays. So if you haven't yet...you probably need to free up your calipers by greasing those pins.
FYI, the OEM pads on my 2018 Dodge SRW were called "ProMax". If you don't buy them from the dealer they are quite reasonably priced. Your truck and my truck were probably on the same assy line in Meheeko....so probably the same pad brand.

To the OP, you must put in some serious mileage to have worn out the brakes on a 2021 Dodge 2500 already. How did the pad change go?