Trailer Brakes or 231mm Upgrade? Which is better?

[bass-o-matic]

Good Morning kind people.

I have a 2002 4runner with 15" wheels. I acquired the 16" wheels capable of the 2005 Tundra 231mm Brake upgrade.

I have a 2400lb Single axle Travel trailer.

I want to increase braking.

Which would provide more braking capacity? Doing the 231mm or putting electric trailer drum brakes on the trailer?

I'm leaning towards the 231mm upgrade.

Thoughts?

 

[CDNsldr]

TBU would provide the advantage of having the upgrade even without the trailer attached, and is much simpler of a mod.

IMO trailer brakes would control the braking of the actual trailer much better and would make it less prone to jack knifing in slippery weather, however it would mean a whole second set of brakes that require servicing.

With only a 2400# trailer I would go with the TBU.


Also, FWIW, the TBU will not necessarily provide more "bite". It will provide more resistance to fading and be less prone to changes in run out and disk thickness variations.

 

[alumarine]

Trailer brakes all day long.
A 2400 lb travel trailer gets up to 3000 lbs pretty easy, if not more.

 

[ajordan1975]

Both, but if i had to do one, trailer brakes is what i'd do.

 

[Scramble]

Both

 

[ToyotaBrah]

Neither. Gotta live life on the edge sometimes.

Kidding. I would do both, but at the very least trailer brakes for that much weight.

Also, it's worth flush out the brake fluid if you're unaware of how old the fluid is. That alone makes a considerable difference in brake pedal feel.

A few threads that go over brake fluid flush:


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/121637-change-brake-fluid-2.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/178564-best-way-bleed-flush-brake-fluid.html

And our own very knowledgeable member, Tim, (member name mbtim) has a how-to video on the brake fluid flush:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnyK3V-OGn4

and the Tundra brake upgrade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8zy-j4UBUo

 

[phattyduck]

Most states require trailer brakes on any trailer over 3000lbs gvw - so, not what the trailer actually weighs, but the max it can weigh. You might already be there.

If you are worried about safety when towing, absolutely get trailer brakes first. Being able to control the trailer via brakes makes towing a totally different experience.

For the truck brakes, make sure the stock stuff is in good shape (good pads, good fluid, rear brakes adjusted well, etc.) first before going straight for the Tundra upgrade.

Oh, and if you really did have a 15" wheel truck, you can upgrade the rear wheel cylinders to the 16" wheel cylinders (larger bore) for more rear braking if/when you do the front upgrade.

-Charlie

 

[ThorInc]

Both

My exact sentiment.

 

[HiLife]

make sure the stock stuff is in good shape

I would go with the stock set up and trailer brakes at this moment. Having the redundancy can't hurt. I would make sure the 4r stock set up is up to snuff. Then do the 231 when when extra funds and time free's up.

 

[twitchee2]

At the end of the day, I highly suggest doing both. In your situation, start with the trailer and then doing the 231s. Do both if you plan on towing often.

I have 231s and used to tow a double PWC trailer. 1500-1800lbs I estimate. I had no trouble but certainly knew it was back there when stopping. You have to be smart about it and give your self extra room to stop anyway.