So as a truck enthusiast, I can't help but think the new Sierra looks good from a distance. Earlier today, I saw the local dealer had one on the lot, and decided to stop and take a closer look (don't worry Dodge, as a Power Wagon owner, I have NO desire to make a switch!). Initially, I thought it looked pretty good -- maybe GM will finally make a vehicle that an enthusiast would want to buy. But upon closer inspection, I saw it had rear DRUM brakes. It was a 40K truck, and is the only brake package they offer!!!! If they're going to put drum brakes on there, what other extinct technology are they using? Will GM ever learn?

 

I was also amazed about the drum brakes. I talked to my GM engineer buddy who worked on that truck and the Silverado, and of course GM Stopped using 4 wheel disk a few years ago to cut costs. I'm sure we will see it eventually when some German gets it up his butt to save a few dollars on each truck.

 

DRUMS? That is a definite shocker. I was curious and looked it up on the website. Sure enough, front discs and rear drums across the board. Take a look for yourself. Sad thing is, most people probably couldn't tell you by looking, much less to understand the benefits of discs all around.

 

If you ask me, this an example of "one step forward, two steps back"...

 

I guess they needed to cut corners somewhere, and decided to on the brakes. Now instead of complaining about interior rattles, hard plastics, piston slapping motors, etc; the GM crowd will be complaining about poor braking.

I guess it probably won't make a difference in day to day driving, but after a few repeated down hill stops, the heat soak is going to take its toll. I feel better knowing I have discs at all 4 corners.

 

Well as usual GMC has screwed up again...personally I think it looks cheaper than the new Ford, hands down this year Dodge has the truck.

 

Poor braking????, yes not as good as 4 wheel disk, but hardly poor braking. My 01 Ram had rear drum and it braked just fine.

 

 

1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Clubcab
Edmunds
"Of course, the majority of Ram 2500s will expend their energy towing race vehicles to the track, rather than doing any racing of their own. For the most part, this Dodge was up to such tasks, with the possible exception of its brakes. The power discs/rear drum setup got awfully hot and smelly during brake testing. One hundred and ninety feet passed before the beast came to a halt from 60 mph, and this was without a loaded cargo bed or trailer. Research suggests that 150 to 170 feet is the typical stopping distance for this class of vehicle, which had us wondering if our test unit's brakes were functioning properly."

2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Quadcab
Edmunds
"Brake performance was an issue, too, as the Ram needed 149 feet to stop from 60 mph. The Silverado's best stop was 7 feet shorter, the F-350's 14 feet shorter. The four-wheel disc brakes didn't feel underpowered on the road, however, although we did cook them pretty good on the way down the mountain with the trailer in tow."


These were the only 2 Dodge trucks that I could find that were similar that had the drums vs disc for the rear and tested by the same people. I'm not sure of the weight, but I'd venture to say that the 3500 may weigh a touch more. It also brakes 41 feet shorter. That is a long way.

I'm not trying to bash drum brakes at all here. I'm just pointing out how odd it is that GM is "going backwards" by outfitting thier "new" trucks with "old tech" drums in the rear.

 

I had it with Ford. When it came time to go to a new brand, GMC and Chevy were a strong option against dodge. Stock for stock the 5.3 vers the 5.7, chevy has the best engine going, thier better on flue, quicker and way more room to work on ( coil packs spark plugs )

Smaller cab and drum brakes sold me into a dodge, the Gm trucks ride like nice cars and thier allmost to light for a truck. I really like the looks of the 07 and surprised to hear Gm has the drum brakes. I heard the problem with rear disc's on the chevy's were the parking brake assembly's.