waysidecharlie wrote:
I've been driving for over 55 years, and I've seen rear pads wear twice as fast as the front -- but in this case we have worn out pads in 17,000 miles and roughly 30% wear on the front pads. New pads have 11mm of material. The existing pads still have 8mm of material. Thus there is accelerated wear on the rear and I'm just trying to figure out if Jeep used crap pad or there is something else going on, like a proportioning valve, or for all I know the computer is controlling the pressure when a trailer is plugged in.
The 2012 with the factory tow package does have programming that will control the throttle if it senses trailer sway.
I have a manual trany, No tow-Haul button(All the Tow-Haul button does is to lock out overdrive.). OEM trailer tow package, W/sway mitigation programming.
I replaced the rear brakes last year, fronts are still fine.
I also tow a 5x12x4' tall, open trailer (no trailer brakes) loaded with wet firewood from up in the mountains to home. 3-6 loads a year. 45 miles one way, 900' drop in elevation on a winding road.
With my trailer on my rig, the trailer anti-sway programming will automatically apply the brakes (via the ABS) if I take a corner to fast. When this happens, I can clearly hear(makes a rapid vibrating sound, almost sounds like grinding it is so fast) and feel the ABS activating.
There is a system called "EVBP" Electronic Variable Brake Proportioning. It is standard on all rigs with the ESP programming. EVBP is used to balance front-to-rear braking. The EVBP system controls slip of the rear wheels when braking at a low to moderate deceleration. If more control is needed the ABS kicks in. EVBP is controlled by the lower part of the ABS valves.
17,000 miles is very soon to have to replace the brake pads even with EVBP. But with 70% left on the front, it is pretty much in line with my rig. (except for the miles 45,000 when I changed them.)
14 loads a year with 3000 Lbs per load is a lot of weight to be stopping. About 2+ times the weight my rig has to stop per year.
Comparing your miles to mine that would be close to 50% sooner(+/-) for your rear pads to wear out. Seems comparable to me.
But, even folks who don't tow, find themselves replacing the rear pads 2/1 to the fronts.
Part of that, I believe, is because the rear pads are smaller (Less Sq.In. contact surface) then the front pads. Take a look at the 2 side by side and you will see what I mean.
Part could also be the composition of the pads themselves.
Electric trailer brakes, and a controller, will lower the rigs usage of it's brakes to slow the trailer down. So yes, electric trailer brakes and a controller will reduce the wear on the rigs brake pads.