I am new to the longer mountain runs found out west, this trip was the first I've encountered them so I could definitly be.doing something wrong. I had heard to go down in the same gear you go up in. Went up in 4th or 5th, came down in 3rd. I could have stepped harder on the brake when in 3rd and it would have down shifted to 2nd, but I didn't have to so I didn't for e it. Instead I used the brakes if I needed to slow below what 3rd would do.
No brake issues other then the throb or pulse one gets when the rotors have overheated, and that mostly just when hot, with or without the trailer. There is no lack of braking.
If everyone thinks I sould let it downshift further that's what I'll try on next years trip, and replace the rotors and pads. The truck, when in tow/haul seems to downshift based on my braking, the I brake the more it down shifts. Light braking on the down hills does not do it, takes more then that.