I have a 02 Durango 5.9 with towing package.
I also have a 19' Aluminum boat that pushes me down a very long winding steep hill. (To get to the launch.)
I have searched all over the internet and don't have a clear answer for what to upgrade to.
Do I buy new calipers? Performance of some type?
What pads and rotors do I want and made from which material?
I do have newer front oe replacement calipers and brake/rotors on, but i did get them really hot once or twice before I replaced my trailer brakes.
I'm also sure I need to do my rear brakes which are drum so any recommendations would be awesome!!
I just want "Big Dodge Diesel 3500" Stopping power.
I could really use some insight.
Thanks guys!!!

 

Put brakes on the trailer. I tow 6000 lbs of Jeep+trailer with brakes all over the country with my Durango's stock brakes and a towing package with no issues.

 

I should've stated I did put new brakes on the trailer recently, it did help. But just wanting more.

 

so if you want that kind of stopping power then go buy a big dodge diesel 3500. you will spend way more money than its worth to get the Durango there and it still wouldn't tow as well as the 3500.

however if you are ok with just improving wha tyou have now, you can put the larger disc brakes on the front off an 03 Durango, you do need to change quite a few parts including the knuckle and everything outboard of the A-arms. and you can also swap a rear wheel disc brake axle from an 03 Durango/Dakota into the rear end if the front upgrade alone isn't enough.

heres the research I did for it a while back, the part numbers should still be valid, the prices may not be. the swap is going to cost you in the ballpark of $1500 for the front axle, not sure what the rear will cost.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

good luck!

 

Great info!
Thank you

 

So I went with Powerstop Extreme Z36 brake kit on the front, they are supposed to be a decent upgrade.... Ill reply back once I tow the boat.

 

No updhate?

 

Yes! The brakes made a huge difference! No more fade while towing my boat down huge step hills. I also changed out the calipers to aftermarket stock replacements. Also gave the Durango a real nice and thorough brake bleed. I still didn't get my Dodge Diesel 3500 stopping power.... But these pads and calipers do give me a confident pedal.

 

Are you using a brake controller module with the trailer brakes? I once towed a car eight hours on a 4 wheel trailer and if you adjust the controller right, it will yank the truck back.

 

I doubt that trailer has brakes. If it did, and as you said, he had a good controller set right, he wouldn't need these upgrades. I tow 5500 lbs with no problems, just got slotted rotors when I needed new rotors.