Comparing the eTrailer and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kits

Question

Question:

Considering replacing the standard electric brake assemblies on my boat trailer with the self adjusting style. I would of course want the highest quality product for the money. There really isn’t anything wrong with what I have, however NOT having to manually adjust my brakes from time to time looks appealing to me. Could you give me a list of options as to what’s available? Thank you 10 inch drum, 2-1/4 shoes

asked by: Dean

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I currently have three diffrent self-adjusting assemblies for your boat trailer with 10" x 2-1/4" electric drum brakes which are attached for you below.

eTrailer Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # AKEBRK-35-SA (3,500 Axles)
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # 23-468-469 (3,500 Axles)
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # K23-478-479 (4,400 Axles)

The eTrailer brand is going to be the economy line and the Dexter brand is going to be the premium line. The Dexter brakes have a five year warranty and come with mounting hardware whereas the eTrailer brakes have a one year warranty and do not come with mounting hardware, but can be obtained with part # BRKH10B. The Dexter brakes also offer options for both 3,500 lb and 4,440 lbs axles which will vary in braking aggression.

I have attached a sample install video for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

1

James

8/3/2020

I am in a battle with the dealer and have decided to price the braking correction with aftermarket (if you will) not the factory equipped LCI. I have twin 4400# LCI axels with 3500# brakes (as described on their repair order) on a 10,000# GVW travel trailer. My complaint was / is that it simply does nit stop. Gain has to be set at 10 max) to feel any braking action. My question is do the 4400# brakes (K23-478-479) have a more aggressive stop then the 3500# (23-468-469) and do the fit LCI axel flanges. Or are they the same brake with different backing plates? I am thinking that the extra 1800# stopping force would correct my issue?!!! I would love to know that there was a 12” simple bolt up option (brake assemblies and hub/drum (to add some redundancy to my braking)), but working out of my retirement pockets, after just spending $26k on a trailer really really hurts!!!! HELP

Reply

Jon G.

8/12/2020

The 4.4K Brake Assemblies # K23-478-479 will fit your application and have more of a bite to them than the 3.5K Brake Assemblies # 23-468-469 which is really just due to their design as they are meant for heavier trailers. You might try adjusting the brakes on your end before shelling out some more money because even though these are "Nev-R-Adjust" sometimes there is an initial adjustment that needs to be made. You can see how this is done towards the end of the attached video.

Helpful Links

tv-install-dexter-nev-r-adjust-electric-trailer-brakes-left-right-23-468-469.aspx

Reply

Todd F.

8/19/2020

This information is not correct...the 4400# lippert axles have a 2 7/8 pattern and 4" diagonal that will not fit the 4400# dexter brakes. I have seen this info passed along several times on your site. This is why James got 3500# brakes because thats what fits this axle. In fact any 3500# brake setup will fit it. I also learned today that the only difference between the 3500 and the 4400 dexters is the stud pattern on the backing plate of these self adjusting axles...same magnet although dexter lists different part number for 4400 and 3500 magnet. That is the ONLY piece that could cause a more aggressive action. Same shoe same drum same contact area. I have tried to reach your tech service to discuss as I need to replace my brakes on my Eagle HT with 4400# lippert axles. I measured and they ARE in fact the 2 7/8 pattern top and bottom.

Reply

Jon G.

8/31/2020

UPDATE - Check out the link below to confirm what you have.

Helpful Links

question-470347.html

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See All (5) Replies to James ∨

Answer 1

Dexter brake assemblies like the #23-464-465 are widely considered to be the best and highest quality trailer axle/suspension components which is why they cost more than the #AKEBRK-7-SA. Some of the quality difference wouldn't make much of a…

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Answer 2

Hello Braden, thanks for getting in touch. I reached out to my contact at Dexter to see what kind of fluid they recommend for the Single Hydraulic Jack System w/ Double Acting Pump #DX62CR. While they could not recommend a specific brand of fluid,…

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Answer 3

Linda yes, you are going to also need a hanger kit like the Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit for Double-Eye Springs #APT9 to install the 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 3,500-lb Trailer Axles #DX23CR you'll just need to let me know what size hangers…

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Answer 4

The biggest difference between Dexter brake assembly #23-459 and etrailer/AxleTek assembly #AKEBRK-7L-SA is the pad material. The Dexter assemblies use pads that are snapped off of a long strand of the material. The ones on the etrailer assemblies…

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Answer 5

To replace just the brake pads that come on the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 4,400 lbs #K23-478-479 you need the Replacement 10" x 2-1/4" Kit #K71-698-00 for the left-hand side…

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Answer 6

For your AL-KO T44 axles, the brake assemblies you need are the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 4.4K #K23-478-479 or the manual adjust #K23-462-463-00 along with spoon adjuster #W80630. The…

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Answer 7

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 8

What is the diameter of the axles/axle capacity and what is the wheel bolt pattern of the wheels? With that I can determine what you'd need.

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Answer 9

Not all bearings are created equal, but you would be hard-pressed to find one that is vastly superior than another. Whether it is TruRyde, Timken, or some other brand, if the bearings are properly maintained, used in the correct hub, and within the…

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Answer 10

For the brake circuit of your trailer you will want to run 10 gauge wire like our part #10-1-1 which is sold by the foot and is standard copper primary wire. We use it all the time here on trailers and it works great. For bonded 14 gauge wire that…

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Answer 11

While brake assemblies have a distinct left and right hand side the hub/drums do not and can fit on either side of the trailer like with the part #84556UC3.

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Answer 12

If you have a 3,500 lb Dexter EZ Lube spindle we for sure have the parts needed to add brakes to your trailer or replace ones that you currently have. For a set of 10 inch assemblies that would fit and work well you'd want the part #AKEBRK-35-SA…

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Comparing the eTrailer and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kits

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