Brake rotors allow your truck to slow down and stop after applying pressure to the brake pedal. The braking system has a brake caliper and brake pad attached to each wheel. As the brake pedal is pressed, each caliper forces its corresponding brake pad onto a rotating brake rotor to produce friction. As a result, the wheels slow down.
Naturally, the brake rotors will suffer a lot of wear and tear from excessive use. You might end up having to replace your brake rotors after a couple of years if you drive your truck frequently. Then you’ll have to go shopping for the best aftermarket brake rotors for it.
In today’s article, we shall talk about the top five best aftermarket brake rotors you can get. The brake rotors we are about to mention will improve your truck’s and towing braking performance. Please have a look at the specifications of your truck or your towing before you purchase these parts, as some parts might not fit your vehicle.
Our Best Picks
Below are the top 5 best aftermarket brake rotors for trucks and towing:
1) Power Stop K6268-36 Z36 Truck and Tow Front and Rear Brake Kit
These brake kits are fantastic for people who do a lot of towing and hauling. These brake pads are built to last and use lightweight material. Besides the brakes being lightweight, these brakes don’t produce as much dust when compared to other brakes. These brakes are supposed to reduce 30% dust production, in comparison to most stock brakes.
Since these brakes use carbon-ceramic technology and materials, these brakes will last you for years to come. And you don’t have to worry about these brakes making any squeaking noise like most carbon-ceramic brakes; they are incredibly silent. You can expect these brakes to perform at their highest peak, even in tough situations. One thing we love about these brakes would be how easy they are to install. As long as you follow the instructions, installing these brakes should be easy.
2) Power Stop K3167-36 Z36 Truck & Tow Front Brake Kit
Yet another heavy-duty brake kit that can handle some of the toughest situations. This brake kit uses carbon-ceramic technology to increase its breaking linearity and quality; you can expect this break to last you a long time without wearing out.
This product also uses premium stainless steel to provide a better heat distribution, so your brakes can last a long time in some of the harshest environments. For extra safety measures, they have drilled holes in the rotors to promote cooling. It’s imperative to keep your brakes cool, and this brake kit has done everything in their power to keep the airflow moving. The installation in these brakes is very straightforward; make sure to read the instructions before you start. As long as you know how to do a regular brake swap, you should be ok installing these brakes.
3) Power Stop KC1890A-36 Rear Z36 Truck and Tow Brake Kit with Calipers
This brake kit can handle the stress of towing and hauling with ease. If you’re looking for a brake kit that produces minimal dust and can produce high-quality braking, then you have found your answer.
This brake kit uses carbon-ceramic technology that will last you a long time. Similar to other brakes, they have drilled holes inside the rotors so they can keep the brakes cool in some of the most extreme conditions. The calipers are very good, as they use a high-temperature rubber, which does not melt or wear out quickly. These brakes are a fantastic option for people who own a lifted truck and need extra braking power. Even though the installation is not hard, we recommend you read the manual before installation.
4) Power Stop K1866 Front Brake Kits
If you need relatively inexpensive brakes that will work fantastic, then these are a good option for you. These brakes are made from carbon-ceramic materials, which will last a long time. These rotors have holes in them, which keeps them cool in some of the toughest situations. The material used for the rotor is iron, which keeps everything cool throughout.
If you are going to be doing a lot of towing and hauling, these brakes will hold up but not as good as the ones we mentioned above. Make sure to invest in better breaks, if you haul or tow items regularly or do those tasks for work. These brakes are excellent for people who own a lifted truck or need better braking for general use. The installation is extremely easy, and anyone can do it as long as they follow the instructions.
5) Power Stop K137-36 Z36 Truck and Tow Front Brake Kit
These brakes are fantastic to handle the trucks and towing and for people who want an exceptionally durable brake kit, which will last you a long time. What makes these brakes so good would be the material used to make them. These brakes use carbon-ceramic technology, which provides for a linear braking experience. The carbon-ceramic technology will make the brakes last long. These brakes also produce minimal dust, thanks to the advanced brake pads and rotors. These brakes will stay cool in even the most stressful times, because of the holes in the rotors. These brakes will last and to perform in some of the toughest situations. Please make sure to look at the specifications before you make your purchase; the last thing you want to do is get the wrong sized brake kit. The brakes are very easy to install, as long as you read the instructions carefully.
Final verdict
For most people upgrading the brakes is a no brainier, especially if your truck does a lot of towing and hauling. Make sure that you purchase a brake kit that fits your needs, and will fit your vehicle. Not all of the brake kits we have mentioned will fit your vehicle, so make sure to read up on the products before you make a purchase. Also, purchase a brake kit that resonates with you the most. Assess what you’re going to be doing with your truck, and based on that, purchase a brake kit that will fit your needs.
The brake kits we have mentioned above should meet most people’s needs. For some reason you can’t find a brake kit that fits your needs, consult with a mechanic who can help you speed up your process of finding the perfect brake kit. For most people, you should be fine using any of the brake kits mentioned above.
Tips to Choosing the Best Aftermarket Brake Rotor for Your Truck and Towing
Finding brake rotors for your truck and towing can be hard since we have so many options to choose from. And below are the top 5 tips for choosing the best aftermarket brake rotors for your truck and towing vehicles.
1) Brake Rotors
Brake rotors are not all the same. You need to choose the best brake rotors for the weight and size of your vehicle. The four choices are blank, cross-drilled, slotted and drilled & slotted rotors. The differences pertain to how well they handle specific road and weather conditions.
For instance, slotted brake rotors are perfect for off-road trucks because they have slots that can eliminate water, dirt, sand, and other debris. Because of this, the brake rotors won’t get clogged and stop working if you attempt to use them. The cross-drilled brake rotors have smaller holes for allowing heat to escape and cool air to enter. That reduces the overall wear and tear of the rotors.
Therefore, the best choices for trucks and towing are slotted and drilled & slotted brake rotors. The blank rotors and cross-drilled are cheaper options more suitable for smaller vehicles.
2) Materials
Brake rotors are not all made from the same materials either. You’ll find rotors made of steel, cast iron, aluminum, carbon and ceramic-carbon. Some materials are better for certain types of vehicles.
Trucks and towing should have carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Since truck braking systems produce a lot of heat, you’ll need the best brake rotor material for cooling and dissipating heat. Carbon-ceramic happens to be the best material to accomplish this task. Look for it the next time you shop for brake rotors.
3) Coating
The best brake rotors are coated with special protective chemicals to sustain their longevity. These chemicals allow rotors to be more resistant to corrosion and rust, which are common problems that truckers experience.
If you do a lot of driving every day with your trunk, you’ll need the best protection possible for your brake rotors. Look for coated rotors whenever you shop for new rotors.
4) Size
Brake rotors are not all the same size. Make sure your new brake rotors match the size of your old brake rotors. You cannot use small brake rotors when you have to manage the speed of a truck. They need to be the proper size to withstand the weight and power of the vehicle.
Check the manufacturer’s manual to see which size brake rotors are appropriate for your truck. Then match that size when you shop in the store for them.
5) Brand
The best aftermarket brake rotors come from popular brands which have been around for a long time. Three top brands include Brembo, EBC Brakes, and Power Stop. Each one is known for producing high-quality brake rotors and other braking components for cars and trucks.
You might have to pay a little more money for a branded brake rotor set, but it will be worth it in the long run. Your brake rotors and braking system will have more longevity if the quality of the rotors is good.
