Let's upgrade the brake system

[retiredsgtmitchell]

I have a 2005 Sierra 2500HD SLT Crew Cab with the 8.1L Vortec and Allison Trans. I bought the truck to do some heavy duty 5th wheel towing. I need to update the brakes to a heavy duty setup so I can slow the truck down going down those big hills. Towing 15k pounds plus. I was looking at Hawk Severe Duty brake pads, but that is as far as I got.

 

Any suggestions?

 

 

[newdude]

5th wheel or regular hitch? Wait, found your other thread. 5th wheel. I wouldn't worry about the brakes as you would be, at 15k pounds or more, over your weight limits for the truck. Published towing capacity is 12,000lbs, however, it does not specify 5th or hitch. The only thing they mention is:

 

Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to 3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) maximum.

 

 

 

To be on the safe side, I don't think your brakes are your bigger problem. A truck with more towing capacity is.

[ATMINF]

I believe it's 12 k bumper with a w/d setup, as for a 5th wheel I believe they can tow up to 16k. I know in some of the earlier setups a 8.1 gasser had better towing rating than the D Max setup for the GMT 800 pickups. Back to the question, I have used performance friction pads as well as factory and they were good, just made sure I used tow haul mode to have the engine brake also. Sorry not much of a help.