Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

[surfdh74]

I have a F-350 and a 05 SV-211 TE and want better brakes for the truck. They need to be replaced and just want to know if any has upgraded or who they use? I want to keep my Nautique nice and safe!! Thanks

[TRDon]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

With an F350, oem or better brakes are MORE than adequate IMHO.

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

With an 350 do you even know you have a boat behind it? The best pads I have found are Akebono Ceramic .
They cost more but they preform great without squeals and black dust problems.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

They are commercial trucks rated to tow a ridiculous amount of weight. Stock brakes are just fine for towing a little boat.
I cannot even tell my boat is there.

[camjam]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

No issues towing or stopping with my "06" F250 (crew cab, 8' box, 4x4, power stroke). The truck is completely stock. I agree with Nautiquehunter about barely knowing the boat is there. The biggest trailer I have pulled is my mother-in-laws 42' camper with three slide outs. The truck handled this trailer without any issues. I'm guessing 14,000 - 16,000 lbs depending on how much gear is inside. If I remember correctly, the truck is rated to pull 23,000 lbs.

[DanielC]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

I would suggest you talk to your Ford dealer. They know your truck the best.
Be advised different brake pad materials have different wear characteristics, and also perform differently. Some pads do not brake as well until they are warm, other pads brake more efficiently when cold. Some pads will wear the brake disc more than others. The highest priced pad may very well not be the best for you.
As it has been suggested, the stock brakes on your truck may be way more that adequate for your needs.

How are the brakes on the boat trailer? Maybe you have an issue there? Do you have brakes on all four wheels of your trailer? Are they disk brakes?

By far the best way to keep your Nautique nice and safe is to plan ahead when driving, and not have to depend on your brakes to get you out of a panic situation. Driving that way may also increase your fuel mileage. Remember, the only thing your brakes do is convert your forward momentum into heat, and then force you to burn more fuel to get going again.

[apexrig1]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

I also have a F-350 Powerstroke and the factory brakes are by far good enough. I pull a 08 210. Never any problems stopping!

[jmo]

RE: Best trailer brakes for a 04 F-350?

I second DanielC's comments. Making sure the brakes on the trailer are operational will have a much bigger impact on the stopping power of your rig than upgrading pads on the truck. When I bought my boat (used) the brakes were useless, and while my truck could stop it okay, I was surprised at the difference once I put new disk brakes on the trailer.

[SquamInboards]

+1 on the trailer itself. IF those are working properly your truck should hardly be working any extra, and with the F350 especially. I've towed trailers with electrically controlled brakes where the trailer could easily stop the whole truck, especially with a load, like a small tractor. Even though your trailer brakes aren't electrically controlled, they too are supposed to be adjusted so you can't really feel the extra weight, no matter how much it is because it takes the braking weight off the truck, so to speak.

[surfdh74]

Ya truck is a Powerstroke and Ive had it for about 4-5 yrs and its time for new brakes... Just thought maybe someone had upgraded to something ? I have no problems pulling my 211 but it is time.