New Stopping Rule May Spur Larger Drums

ew, stricter federal stopping distance rules on the horizon may push growth in the market for disc brakes but not enough to surpass drum brakes as the dominant equipment in the market.

At issue is a proposed rule published last December by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calling for a 20% to 30% reduction in braking distance, which will require the use of either larger drum brakes or air disc brakes.

Brake manufacturers said that, for most trucks, larger but more powerful drum brakes would be able to meet the tougher standards, but they also said certain types of rigs, such as heavier-use vehicles, may need disc brakes.