Tire weight and Braking

How much impact does tire weight have an braking? I have Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx 285/75-16 on my 05 and feel like my braking power is weak. Takes a lot of pressure and time to stop, especially when towing my boat. Had it in my trusted shop, they went through everything and couldn’t find anything wrong. Rear brakes are brand new and adjusted correctly.

 

Tires will have a large effect on braking power. especially tires as large as a 285 There is a lot more rotational mass thus making it harder to stop effectively. There are a few threads on here about upgrading the front brakes.

 

I believe you mean 285 but the short answer is *a lot*

It has a lot to do with the height as well; the tire has more leverage against the brakes now as they're taller as well as the centripetal mass.

Stainless braided brake lines helps considerably but really for better braking you will need better brakes like the 2015 TRD Pro 4Runner brake upgrade, this requires 17" wheels though but is well worth it IMHO.

 

As mentioned, mass in movement and the ability to control that movement. A brake upgrade or a change in tire size, or both. About two years ago I upgraded my front brakes with Power Stop pads and Stop Tech rotors. Brake fluid was flushed and replaced with new fluid. For me that combination made a big difference.
As noted below I run the stock tire size for my truck.

Stock size (at least truck) I run Michelin Defenders.
Size ‎LT265/70R16 121/118Q
Manufacturer ‎Cooper
Model ‎DISCOVERER S/T MAXX
Item Weight ‎53.3 pounds
Product Dimensions ‎31 x 31 x 11 inches

Size you run on your truck
Size ‎LT285/75R16 126/123Q
Item Weight ‎62 pounds
Product Dimensions ‎32.91 x 32.91 x 11.7 inches

 

Thanks all for the input. Obviously I did mean 285, I went back and edited. I’m probably due for some new tires soon, so maybe I’ll go with something lighter. Or perhaps I’ll do some upgrades to the brakes first and see how much that helps.

 

I've tried hawk brake pads and ebc. They both made a huge difference over oem pads with 285's

 

why did you go with the stop tech rotors instead of the power stop?

 

My truck came with 265/70/16s that weighed 38 lbs. I've had e rated 265/75/16's that are the same width, 1" taller and weighed 53 lbs. Currently have SL 265/75/16's that weigh 40 lbs. The acceleration with the heavier 53 lb tire was slight, but noticeable. If there was any difference in braking I never noticed. If you're going to a 285 the added diameter and width might make a more noticeable difference. Might not.

 

If a brake upgrade doesn't work out for you, it may be smart to go back to the drawing board. @crashnburn80's thread here helped me quite a bit:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eel-tire-combo-trd-rock-warriors-ko2s.381030/

I ended up going for Michelin Defenders in 255/75R17 on OEM SEMA wheels, which are only 3 lbs heavier than the stock setup:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-non-enthusiasts-tacoma-build.667560/page-4#post-24428925

 

Often overlooked if an older model are the calipers. I did my 09 caliper rebuild and much better response as they were starting to stick so when I pulled them apart and separated the half's had to use 3m pads to clean internals before the new seals, new fluid, and a good bleeding.

Had long ago went to better rotors and pads with the correct burn-in. I towed a heavy trailer and a boat and went to drilled/slotted (no holes cracked ever and on second set) and z36 towing pads for better braking and many combo recommendations out there. Still after all upgrades with a heavy tow had to hold my breath a few times from idiots cutting in as they love to jump in front of anything towed (I can't fix stupid).

 

‘StopTech BBK

 

This thread may also be helpful if evaluating brake upgrades:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/

 

I don't fully recall. Most likely from reading the thread that @CrashN'Burn linked above. I went with slotted on my Tacoma after experiencing cracked drilled rotors on my old Dakota. This was after I "gifted" that truck (4x4 Quad) to my youngest son in 2012 and he loved drivng through water with hot rotors.

 

Because Powerstop is not an upgrade, it is just a stock style rotor with slots. Only StopTech and DBA have redesigned the internal cooling veins of the rotor to add more thermal capacity by better cooling over stock. StopTech has done this by adding more veins than stock, DBA by changing the vein design. Most all stock size rotors that claim to be a performance rotor are just equivalent to stock and often worse than stock, not a true performance part.

Wrong Crash.

 

I see it's an 05. In braking, if all brake components are in good shape and working an often overlooked item is a worn-out or weak suspension. Shocks?

 

Sorry about that. Must have more coffee. What @crashnburn80 said above is why I went with StopTech. - Thanks for the memory jog

 

Make sure to adjust your drum brakes. The self adjuster on the Tacoma drum shoes suck so you would have to manually adjust them from time to time.

If you don't want to spend big bucks on the bigger 6 piston stoptech calipers and brake set. You can save some money by using the bigger front brake set off a Lexus GX470 which will bolt right up on a gen2 Tacoma which will require 17" rims or bigger. You can also go with the tundra brake booster for more braking power.

 

Your tires are very heavy. So it takes a lot more effort to stop them. Plus you said you tow a trailer….all of that will affect your braking power.

get some lighter tires. Or upgrade the Brakes. The best option would be the 4Runner calipers, pads, rotors, and steel brake lines. But that is like $500

 

Thanks everyone. I ordered some power stop pads and stainless brake lines. I already have drilled and lifted rotors. I’m due for some. We tires in the next year or so, so I might downgrade to something like a 235/85. Although I’m not stoked about losing an inch or so in tire height.