Effect of weight on braking for trucks.
Instead of further morphing the other thread, I thought it would be interesting to discuss the effect of weight and speed for trucks since we obviously increase our weight when we add TCs. Obviousl...
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I compensate by slowing down when loaded. My top speed is always under 65mph even when traveling out west where the speed limit was 80. I'm usually running about 62 interstate and 57 on the main secondary roads. If traffic backs up behind, I'll find some place to pull over to let it clear. Though on a recent 9,000 mile trip, I think I only had to pull over dozen times and never on the interstate. I usually let off the throttle and coast or down shift when stopping.
On my 2004 diesel with manual transmission, at 150,000 miles my front brakes were still had 50% pad left despite hauling the TC for 50,000 miles and a 12,000# trailer for over 20,000 miles. Rear brakes had almost no sign of wear.
On my current gas truck with auto, I have 105,000 miles of which 65,000 miles were carrying the camper. Front brakes are about 40% remaining, rears are hardly worn. By taking it easy and down shifting, I usually only need light braking. Even coming down the Beartooth I only had to use the brakes for the switchbakes. Same coming down 14 on the east side of the Big Horns.
On my 2004 diesel with manual transmission, at 150,000 miles my front brakes were still had 50% pad left despite hauling the TC for 50,000 miles and a 12,000# trailer for over 20,000 miles. Rear brakes had almost no sign of wear.
On my current gas truck with auto, I have 105,000 miles of which 65,000 miles were carrying the camper. Front brakes are about 40% remaining, rears are hardly worn. By taking it easy and down shifting, I usually only need light braking. Even coming down the Beartooth I only had to use the brakes for the switchbakes. Same coming down 14 on the east side of the Big Horns.
