What Is The Best Way To Tell If Trailer Brake Pads Need To Be Replaced?

Updated 10/26/2026 | Published 10/21/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Kodiak Ceramic Brake Pads w/Stainless Steel Backing Plate - 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs

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$108.10

Kodiak Ceramic Brake Pads - 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs

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$50.19

Question:

Other then physically looking at brake pads, Is there any outside indication to see/tell is pads needs changing, I have Kodiak 225 calipers for a 6000 lb axles.

asked by: Larry P

Expert Reply:

Hey Larry, welcome back, and good question. A visual inspection is definitely the best way to tell if your brake pads need to be replaced. If the pads are wearing down, you may notice squealing, grinding, or reduced braking performance. Those can be indicators of worn down brake pads, but those could be signs that something else is wrong also.

Those Kodiak 225 brake pads do have a wear indicator mark on the side. Once that groove is nearly gone, it's time to replace the pads. I recommend checking both the inner and outer pads since they can wear at different rates. That's a much better way to judge their condition than waiting for noise or poor braking performance.

If you are in need of new pads, we do have them available:

- Kodiak Ceramic Brake Pads - 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs # K225CP

- Kodiak Ceramic Brake Pads w/Stainless Steel Backing Plate - 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs # K225CPSS

What kind of trailer are you servicing?

expert reply by: Jesse M

Larry P.

10/22/2026

Hello Jesse I have a 35' 2016 Reflection 5th wheel with 6,000 rated axles. Never noticed the wear indicators, will take a close look. I was kind of hoping you would mention the steel sleeves the 2 attach bolts go thru to secure caliper in place. Most all of my sleeves are flush or near flush with the rubber bushings. I already have new pads, are replacement rubber bushing available? Thank you Larry

Jesse M.

10/22/2026

@LarryP Yes we do have the rubber bushings available as well. Here is the part number: - Replacement Rubber Bushing for Kodiak Guide Bolt Sleeve - ABS Compatible - 2,000 lbs - 8,000 lbs # K225RB

Larry

10/22/2026

Hello Jesse I did not make a clear statement about the metal sleeves. Are the metal sleeves another indicator of worm brake pads? Most all the metal sleeves on my 4 calipers are flush or near flush with the rubber bushings. Thank you

Larry

10/23/2026

Hello Jesse Maybe there have been some changes since I've first installed my electric over hydraulic brake system on our 5th wheel. I see no wear indicator mark on the side of the new pads the P/N of new pads according to number on box is; 59696364 303-225P. There is no scrapper tab to make brakes squeal if pad wear is near it's limit, and the new outer brake pad is a little different shape and smaller in size, looks to be the same thickness just smaller. The original name of the system that was installed was something like Brake Rite, now it is Kodiak or hydrastar. My brakes were squealing but only while brakes are applied. There was a glaze on rotors which has been removed. Perhaps my old pads were/are not ceramic? Will the new ceramic pads cause rotors to wear quicker? Thank you!

See All (5) Replies to Larry P. ∨

B J.

10/23/2026

I have multiple boat trailers in the Florida Keys where salt water is a problem. Most non-stainless brake pad backing plates rust quickly enough that the actual pad material comes loose. I find that the stainless brake pad backing plates are less of a problem. The next issue for me has been bad corrosion and pitting on non-SS rotors. The Kodiak SS rotors largely ibviate that problem. The SS calipers tend to look OK longer than salt water resistant steel calipers and I believe they function longer. I asked the owner of Kodiak Ss disc brakes if the function of SS calipers was guaranteed. As I recall he said no because salt water could still get past the brake puck seals and build up deposits that cause the puck to stick. For use in brackish water I might not pay for SS but is serious salt water, I have been buying KODIAK SS DISC BRAKE SYSTEMS.

Jesse M.

10/26/2026

@BJ Awesome! Glad to hear the stainless calipers and brake pads have been working out. Thanks for sharing!

Jim C.

10/23/2026

I have the pads with stainless backing plates & haven't had any problems with them on the stainless calipers I pull a 10,000 boat on a 3 axle triler in & out of salt water. Give them a good rinse with Salt Away & then move it back & forth a few times to keep the pads from sticking the rotors over winter.