Time for brakes on the Durango

[hounddog]

Finally wore out the replacements on the Durango from when we were having trouble.  

Looking for advice on a couple brands, and type of pads.

As most of you know, I pull a heavy load 3-4 times a year at most and the boat trailer has brand new electric brakes last year.  Will ceramics work for that since the trailer brakes actually work to help stop the vehicle?  Or should I go to a ceramic/metallic combi and is there something someone would recommend?

Also;

Rotors.  Am seriously considering Wagner rotors this time.  Thoughts?  Suggestions?  I have no interested in slotted or drilled rotors, btw.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Brake-Rotor-Wagner_15800372-P_221_R%7CGRPDRUMAMS_900086855___#fragment-3

This is the pad I am most interested in; Hawk LTS Light Truck/SUV.  Thoughts?  Suggestions?  
http://www.jcwhitney.com/lts-light-truck-and-suv-brake-pads/p2024077.jcwx?skuId=885005&filterid=d417y2007j1

Cost is of little concern.
Time is an issue as they need to be changed before we head to Wisconsin.

[Mustangfan2003]

I'd say go with Wagner pads and rotors. 

[hounddog]

Am looking for a bit more than that, like "why," please.  

[Mustangfan2003]

My mom has Wagners on her Trailblazer and they've worked really well.  As far as Ceramics I don't think they are recommended for towing. 

[The Pirate]

I'm liking those Hawk pads.  I too have read that ceramics aren't recommended for frequent towing of heavy loads, something to do with heat retention above the optimal level.  Not an expert on these things.

My preference with brakes has been NAPA blank rotors (made by Brembo, last time I checked).  I currently have ceramics on my car, but was pretty happy with the Hawks that I had on there previously.  The Hawks had quite a bit better initial bite than the ceramics.  Both are pretty similar in power, but there is a lot less dust with the ceramics.

Are you towing that big Doral?  I'd stick with the semi-metallic Hawks, I think.

[Mustangfan2003]

I got Hawk HPS pads on my car and they are great, not sure how well their truck pads go though. 

[The Pirate]

I got Hawk HPS pads on my car and they are great, not sure how well their truck pads go though. 

Hopefully not very well! 

[Rupert]

Are you towing that big Doral?  I'd stick with the semi-metallic Hawks, I think.

Whenever someone says, "Doral," I think of this guy:

[hounddog]

Are you towing that big Doral?  I'd stick with the semi-metallic Hawks, I think.

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote, and I have heard the same thing with regards to ceramics on tow vehicles yet Hawk seems to make a ceramic for towing vehicles which yeilded my questions.

I would like to get Brembo rotors, but have no idea where to find them.  Over the recent years have heard good things about Wagner, but admittedly, I know very little about them.

We tow the Doral we currently own, but if we do buy the bigger one we will no longer be able to tow it as it weighs about 20,000 pounds with no fuel or water on board, and nothing else either.   Trying to talk my wife into letting me get a '11 Ram 2500 with a Cummins. 

So far, that is not going very well.   

[hounddog]

Whenever someone says, "Doral," I think of this guy:

That makes me laugh because I always think of the Doral cigarettes.

[Mustangfan2003]

I believe Tire Rack sells Brembo products, when I worked at Advance Auto Parts we could special order Brembo stuff. 

[hounddog]

Tire rack claims to not be capable of getting the Brembos for the Durango, I called twice and spoke to two different operators on purpose.

I will talk to Advance tomorrow and see what they say.  I would prefer Brembo rotors over anything else on the market, their QA program is INSANELY tough on the parts.  (and, last I knew they were still making a large number of them at the Honeywell plant in South Bend, In)

Appreciate the advice.

Oh, ordered the Hawk LTS pads today. 

[The Pirate]

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote, and I have heard the same thing with regards to ceramics on tow vehicles yet Hawk seems to make a ceramic for towing vehicles which yeilded my questions.

I would like to get Brembo rotors, but have no idea where to find them.  Over the recent years have heard good things about Wagner, but admittedly, I know very little about them.

We tow the Doral we currently own, but if we do buy the bigger one we will no longer be able to tow it as it weighs about 20,000 pounds with no fuel or water on board, and nothing else either.   Trying to talk my wife into letting me get a '11 Ram 2500 with a Cummins. 

So far, that is not going very well.   

Put in a call to NAPA, if you have one close by.  Most NAPA rotors were made by Brembo, last time I checked.  And even if they aren't I've always been very impressed with the quality of NAPA brand parts  - they are my default parts store.

I'm sure you know this, but if you get the Cummins Ram, that solves the issue of of having to put brakes on the Durango! 

This was a classic move of my dad's for years, he'd take my mom's vehicle in for tires or something minor, and come home with a brand new car for her. 

[hounddog]

Yeah, thats a classic for sure.

Still, I am fishing for a new boat.  A new truck would pretty well seal the fate of the boat.  In a womans eyes, $700 for new brakes is an easy sell.  $50,000 for a new truck is not.

[The Pirate]

Yeah, thats a classic for sure.

Still, I am fishing for a new boat.  A new truck would pretty well seal the fate of the boat.  In a womans eyes, $700 for new brakes is an easy sell.  $50,000 for a new truck is not.

It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission. 

[hounddog]

Bought the Wagner rotors, lifetime warranty figured I could hardly go wrong.  (yeah, right)

Just waiting on the pads now, then I can get them on. 

I have a brand spanking new garage and a brand new rollabout (a few requisite tools to fill up a couple more empty drawers)  just waiting for this project, and I cannot wait to get on it. 

[Mustangfan2003]

So which pads did you end up going with?  The Hawk?

[hounddog]

Hawk LTS from Summit Racing.