I haven't been able to discover any brake specifications for the current crop of 350/3500 series pickup trucks. Rotor size, swept area, minimum stopping distances, fade resistance. With all the BS about uber towing capacity one would think braking information would be readily available - but the hype seems to be all about the go and not so much about the whoa... I'd like to compare to my 2006 to see if any actual increase in braking performance has taken place.The old buckboard pulls fine - so does a new one stop any better?

It's a good question.I've noticed that all of the big three have gone to larger wheels and I was hoping that meant bigger brakes.

The beauty of the Ram 3500 is the exhaust brake. It works slow my truck down without having to use the brakes much at all if at all...The transmissions on the new trucks help in tow/haul mode as well. All the new 1 tons do a great job, but the only experience I have is with the Ram 3500.

Perhaps check pickup trucks.com? I know they did a big 350/3500 review not too long ago. Also maybe check parts and see which interchanges with what.

ScottG wrote:It's a good question.I've noticed that all of the big three have gone to larger wheels and I was hoping that meant bigger brakes.That was true when trucks went to 17s about 10 yrs ago. Not the case now, as all 3 still offer 17" wheels in their lower trim packages. Not saying brakes haven't improved but they are not much larger diameter.

To the OP, I'm certain brakes have gotten a bit better, but considering they were all pretty dang good 10 yrs ago, if that's the deciding factor then you may not have enough truck for what you're toeing.

350/3500 series pickups - any improvement to the brakes?

20 Replies

noteven
Explorer III
May 12, 2015
YnotTurbo wrote:
The beauty of the Ram 3500 is the exhaust brake. It works slow my truck down without having to use the brakes much at all if at all...The transmissions on the new trucks help in tow/haul mode as well. All the new 1 tons do a great job, but the only experience I have is with the Ram 3500.

Agree - we have an exhaust brake in the 2006 which offers downgrade control and is useful in normal driving. The info I'm after is foundation (service) brake performance in emergency stopping situations.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
May 12, 2015
Here is the front of my 15 Dually. Don't know the size but they are huge and so are the rears.
twodownzero
Explorer
May 12, 2015
I'm pretty sure most of the reason the heaviest-duty SRWs are going to 18s isn't for brake clearance (the 17s are big enough for that). It's because 18" tires tend to have 4-500 lbs of additional capacity per tire. While you can find 17s that are rated for nearly 4k pounds, almost all of the 18s seem to be rated for 36xx at least, which is more than the 3195 that most factory 17s are rated for.

For duallies this doesn't matter as you hit the capacity of the rear axle before you will overload the four tires.
whitecloud
Explorer III
May 12, 2015
YnotTurbo wrote:
The beauty of the Ram 3500 is the exhaust brake. It works slow my truck down without having to use the brakes much at all if at all...The transmissions on the new trucks help in tow/haul mode as well. All the new 1 tons do a great job, but the only experience I have is with the Ram 3500.

We have a 2015 Ram 3500 Cummins. This is our first diesel. Our previous truck was a Tacoma. The difference in braking power and everything else is pretty amazing.
C_Schomer
Explorer
May 12, 2015
I don't have the specifics you want but I did some reading about the standardized tow ratings J28xx and there was something in there about being able to stop the max weight in a certain distance, so braking actually is part of the uniform standards, now. Going from a 97 srw to an 03 dually was a BIG improvement. I hope brake improvements have followed the same curve as the power increases. It seems like they would have to, to comply with the SAE standards. Craig
Grit_dog
Navigator III
May 11, 2015
To the OP, I'm certain brakes have gotten a bit better, but considering they were all pretty dang good 10 yrs ago, if that's the deciding factor then you may not have enough truck for what you're toeing.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
May 11, 2015
ScottG wrote:
It's a good question.
I've noticed that all of the big three have gone to larger wheels and I was hoping that meant bigger brakes.

That was true when trucks went to 17s about 10 yrs ago. Not the case now, as all 3 still offer 17" wheels in their lower trim packages.
Not saying brakes haven't improved but they are not much larger diameter.
itguy08
Explorer
May 11, 2015
Perhaps check pickup trucks.com? I know they did a big 350/3500 review not too long ago. Also maybe check parts and see which interchanges with what.
YnotTurbo
Explorer
May 11, 2015
The beauty of the Ram 3500 is the exhaust brake. It works slow my truck down without having to use the brakes much at all if at all...The transmissions on the new trucks help in tow/haul mode as well. All the new 1 tons do a great job, but the only experience I have is with the Ram 3500.
ScottG
Nomad
May 11, 2015
It's a good question.
I've noticed that all of the big three have gone to larger wheels and I was hoping that meant bigger brakes.

Forum Discussion

350/3500 series pickups - any improvement to the brakes?

20 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

F450 vs 350/3500

E-350 vs. 3500 promaster

Lowering 3500/350 bed height??

2015 Chevy 3500 vs Ford 350 diesels

Campground WiFi Improving?