Demco Brake Actuator - DM8669113

Bolt it on your boat trailer and get it back into action! The plating on this actuator is 2 times stronger than standard zinc, and EZ-Latch is a step above the usual trigger latch, making hitching up practically automatic. Proudly made in the USA.

Features:

• Activates your trailer's drum brakes when tow vehicle slows or stops - no brake controller needed
• Makes hitching up fast, safe, and super-easy
  • EZ-Latch coupler lets you hook up when latch is in closed position
  • Latch will snap into place when you lower the coupler onto your hitch ball
  • Built-in drop helps you match tow vehicle height
• Provides you with years of smooth, durable, and efficient operation
  • Automotive-style diaphragm cap prevents fluid contamination
  • Large reservoir allows for increased brake fluid capacity
  • Glass-reinforced, nylon, composite master cylinder
  • Inner member glides on a heavy-duty, self-lubricating plastic liner
• Constructed of heavy-duty steel
• Includes breakaway cable with snap hook
• Holds up against corrosion 2 times longer than a standard zinc plating - 200-hour salt spray rating
• Bolts onto your trailer tongue
  • Hardware not included
• Made in the USA

Specs:

• Application: trailers with hydraulic disc brakes
• Designed to bolt on top of a 3" wide trailer tongue
  • 1/2" x 4-1/2" Grade-5 bolts (not included)
  • See below for bolt pattern dimensions
• Ball size: 2"
• Gross towing weight: 8,000 lbs
• Maximum tongue weight: 800 lbs
• Drop: 4"
• Model number: DA91
• 1-Year warranty

If your trailer isn't married to just one tow vehicle, this Demco actuator will be a great option for you. Just keep in mind that because it doesn't have a reverse lockout on it to keep your brakes from locking up, either you will need to add a manual one (DM5939 - sold separately) or have free-backing brakes instead.

Never Second Guess Your Connection Again with the Demco EZ-Latch

Few things matter in towing as much as a secure connection to your hitch ball. The thing of it is, some coupler latches don't really have a way to show you that they have a firm grasp on the hitch ball. You either just have to eyeball it or try to wiggle the coupler latch until it closes. And if you opt for just trusting your coupler and assuming it's on there, you might not notice the gap between the ball and your coupler's ball socket, an issue known as highballing, until it's too late and you lose your trailer on the highway.

That won't be an issue with the EZ-Latch on this Demco actuator. Just center your coupler over the hitch ball, and lower your trailer tongue as you normally would.

As the coupler's socket slowly accepts the hitch ball, you'll see the latch rise. Keep lowering your trailer tongue until you hear the metalic clink . When you do, you'll know for certain that you've got a good, strong connection, without the need to tug or wiggle the latch into place. This gets you on the road a little bit quicker and with a lot more confidence.

The other neat thing about the EZ-Latch is the low-profile design of the handle itself. It waterfalls onto the coupler's socket. This contour does 2 things: it deflects anything that might accidentally get under the latch handle to release the ball, and it limits any damage to the coupler should anything hit it. Because it's not sticking up like a sore thumb, it's much less likely to get bent or broken by flying road debris or your tailgate.

When we first saw the latch, we, like most people, wrote it off as it being "just plastic." Turns out it's actually a nylon composite, which Demco said was pretty durable. So we tested it in the same way that any sensible (albeit skeptical) person would - we beat it with a hammer. When we couldn't get the latch to break, we were sold. (Someone probably did lose a bet, though. It was a while ago, so who can really say?)

The EZ-latch is so easy to use that you don't even need a safety pin to keep the ball secured inside the socket. But you can, as a theft deterrent, put a locking pin through the dedicated hole on the side of the coupler.

Hard Plastic Lining for a Smooth Towing Experience

You might see the phrase "hard plastic" and think, how durable could that really be? But the truth is, it's tougher than it looks and you'll probably never break it.

Its real name is acetal copolymer. It has a self-lubricating surface. It's extremely resilient, durable, and smooth. And it wears well over time. In fact, this same can even be found in some automotive applications, making it perfectly suited for a telescoping brake actuator on a boat trailer.

How Does a Surge Brake Actuator Work?

When you slow to a stop as you're towing, momentum pushes your trailer toward the rear of your vehicle. When this happens, the surge brake actuator compresses the master cylinder inside, which forces it to push hydraulic fluid out to your brake lines, ultimately engaging your trailer brakes. When you start moving again, the actuator will telescope back out, stopping the flow of fluid back to the brakes and allowing your trailer's wheels to start rolling again.

8669113 Demco DA91 Hydraulic Trailer Brake Actuator for Disc Brakes - 2" Ball Easy-Latch Drop Coupler - 8,000 lbs