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Same boat, watching this

ok so, for your situation, definitely avoid getting "race" or "track" pads thinking they'll handle the heat better. I made that mistake once and it was wierd... they actually dont grip well when they're cold and the noise was LITERALLY insane. Plus the dust? My chrome was ruined. I would suggest looking into the PowerStop or Hawk truck-specific lines instead. In my experience, the PowerStop tow setup is probably your best bet for a Sierra. I've been towing a heavy boat with mine and the "bite" is sooo much more confident coming down hills. It's like, actually a massive relief not worrying about fade anymore. The dust is pretty minimal too, so your wheels should stay clean-ish. It works really well for a mid-level upgrade without going crazy on a full big brake kit. anyway gl!

Seconding the recommendation above. Race pads are scary when cold!! I was disappointed with stock too, it just isn't safe. Maybe try Wagner SD Severe Duty Brake Pads? I've used them for years and they're usually $55.

* Handles heat well
* Serious stopping bite
* Super affordable

Basically, I think dedicated severe-duty pads are the safest way to go. gl!

+1 to what was said earlier about avoiding race pads! I almost made that same mistake cuz I thought "high performance" meant "better in every way" but man, I'm glad I didnt go that route. I dont want my truck sounding like a freight train every time I hit a stop sign lol.

Sooo, I've been doing a ton of reading on this lately cuz I just started towing a boat with my Sierra and those long grades were giving me major anxiety. I'm still kinda new to the technical stuff but I basically compared three main setups based on what's easiest on the wallet.

Option A is the PowerStop Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads. These are basically the go-to for most Sierra owners. The pros are definitely the price and the fact that they barely make any dust. Honestly, my chrome wheels still look amazing after a weekend trip! The only con is they might not have the ABSOLUTE highest heat range compared to some crazy expensive stuff, but for 7,500lbs, they should be plenty tho.

Option B is the Hawk Performance LTS Brake Pads. These are specifically made for "Light Truck and SUV" (hence the LTS). People say the "bite" is fantastic, but they're a bit more expensive than the PowerStops.

Option C is the EBC Brakes Extra Duty Orange Stuff Brake Pads. These are like the heavy-duty kings but they might be overkill and they're pricy.

I actually went with the PowerStop Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Pad and Rotor Kit cuz it was such a good value and came with the drilled/slotted rotors. It looks so cool!! The difference in confidence is literally night and day compared to stock. If you're looking for a practical upgrade that wont ruin your wheels, those Z36 pads are definately the way to go imo. Hope that helps a bit!! 👍

Totally agree with the sentiment that you need something more robust than stock but less aggressive than a track pad. Ngl, after towing heavy with GMCs for 15+ years, the biggest mistake people make is ignoring the chemistry of the friction material. You want a high friction coefficient (Mu) that stays stable as temperatures climb, which is where "hybrid" pads realy shine. Basically, here is what you need to look for in a long-term setup:
* Friction Stability: Hybrids like Raybestos Element3 Brake Pads with Hybrid Technology combine ceramic and semi-metallic properties. You get the bite of metallic for those long grades without the crazy dust of a pure metallic.
* Thermal Capacity: Look for pads rated for higher operating temps; stock pads glaze over once they hit a certain thermal threshold, which causes that fade you're feeling.
* Hardware: Always replace your clips and pins. If they're sticking or dragging, your new pads will overheat anyway regardless of quality. Also, iirc, if you're hitting fade that bad, you should definitely check your brake fluid. If it looks dark, flush it and swap in a high-quality DOT 4. It has a significantly higher boiling point than the factory DOT 3, which prevents that mushy pedal feel during heavy descents. It makes a massive difference for confidence when youre loaded down.