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Electric-hydraulic brake actuator works with your brake controller (sold separately) to activate your trailer's disc brakes. Vented housing releases heat and moisture. Enhanced wiring protection safeguards internal electronics.
Features:
Specs:
The Dexter DX Series electric-over-hydraulic actuator is a dependable choice for your trailer braking needs. It is capable of up to 1,600 psi of pressure output to provide strong stopping power for your disc brakes. The lightweight, corrosion-resistant housing has fins and vents built in to shed excess heat. Inside the housing, the unit features enhanced wiring protection, allowing it to detect dangerous current levels to prevent damage from surges or improper wiring. Another internal highlight is the solid-state electronics, which regulate the actuator's electrical components to ensure consistent performance. All of this is cleanly secured within the aluminum housing by stainless steel fasteners, while Goretite seals protect the internal electronics from exposure to water and other elements. The DX series also remains compatible with most aftermarket and OEM-integrated electric brake controllers on the market.
With the DX series electric-over-hydraulic actuator, you can get all the benefits of towing with an electric brake controller while using hydraulic brakes. Because this actuator will activate according to the setting you have chosen for your brake controller (sold separately), you will have more control over when and how your trailer brakes engage. Depending on the features of your brake controller, you may be able to control both the rate and intensity with which your trailer's brakes activate. If you have a proportional brake controller, your brakes will be activated with an intensity that matches the braking speed and power of your tow vehicle.
This gives you multiple benefits over a standard surge-type actuator. Your trailer's braking will be tied to the braking activity of your vehicle instead of the momentum of your trailer. This will help to limit stress on the tow vehicle, and it will give you the ability to reverse without the trailer's brakes kicking in.
You can also activate the manual override on your brake controller to send out full braking power to the actuator. This will activate your trailer's brakes with full intensity. This is especially useful when traveling down steep hills with a fully loaded trailer. In instances like this, the trailer may require maximum braking power to avoid a jackknife situation.
The large brake fluid reservoir in this actuator ensures that there'll be enough hydraulic fluid to handle a single-, tandem-, or triple-axle trailer regardless of its size. A self-priming pump reduces the time needed for bleeding the brakes and prevents the brake fluid from emptying back into the reservoir when the actuator is not in use.
Before installing this actuator, be sure that you have an electric brake controller with an output capacity of at least 5 amps.
You will also need enough 3/16" diameter automotive brake line (sold separately) to connect the unit to your brakes.
Mount the actuator level and upright in a dry area on your trailer. It is recommended that you mount the actuator near the front of your trailer. Do not mount it near the trailer axles or at the rear of the trailer.
The Dexter DX Series actuator splices into your trailer's wiring. Follow the diagram below when connecting the wires. 12-Gauge wire is required, but 10-gauge wire is recommended to ensure the best performance.
California residents: click here
I've been using this brake actuator for a year now and it works great with no issues. I'm using it on a 40' gooseneck flatbed trailer with 12,000# Dexter axles and disc brakes.
The actuator works flawless and connected right up to where the previous unit was. The orginal unit had been submerged under water by the previous boat owner. I highly recommend E trailer for all your parts.
When the OEM steel brake lines wore out on my boat trailer I decided to upgrade the surge brakes to electric over hydraulic (EOH). I replaced the damaged lines and wired up this Demco actuator and now I can stop my trailer on a dime -- should have done this 10 years ago. The actuator works flawlessly with my 2017 GMC's built in controller -- nothing else was needed!
Please note though that the GM controller does not apply the brakes when depressing the pedal if the vehicle is not moving (duh). So don't be surprised if you try to test it sitting in your driveway and think that it's not working -- it's designed that way to save wear on the pump if you're not moving. Pressing the manual control does apply the brakes though. (The brakes also apply if you're on an incline).
I fabricated a mounting plate out of 3/8 aluminum since the trailer tongue was not wide enough and attached the pump using 4 countersunk 1/4" stainless bolts and then used two 1/2" square u-bolts to affix it to the trailer. If I set the gain on the truck to max, I can actually lock the trailer's wheels, something that surge brakes can't do on their best day!
Back in 2010 I upgraded my disc brakes to Kodiak all stainless steel rotors, mounting plates and calipers -- 8 years old and they were still like new -- also well worth the money!
Doctor F. 
7/26/2019
Every trailer should be set up like this! Imagine power disc brakes on the trailer, just like your car. Theres a reason that drum brakes arent used anymore. Trailer manufacturers are just too cheap to build then right. Heres your opportunity to fix that!
we are used many of this Actuator for the past 15-20 years
Easy to order, quick response and delivery time. Customer service was very helpful with some questions on the installation of the product.
No problem with the Dexter master cylinder, but I sent an email to customer service about potential product issues but never received a reply, thus the 4 star rating. Cannot get the Dexter master cylinder to operate with either of my Ford trucks.
Together, I couldn't be happier with my setup. The Dexter K71-651 provides more than enough power to stop my little single axle boat trailer and when the emergency break-away is activated, I can't roll the tires by pulling forward, they lock solid. I love the combination of this unit with the Redarc TowPro Elite, and these two have completely changed the way my trailer handles. If I was starting over, I would buy exactly this setup again. Thank you to ETrailer.com for excellent customer service and quick shipping. I received my unit in 2 days, and my entire order was exactly as purchased. They even emailed me on the day it was delivered to ensure I received it!
I installed this system on my 18,000 lb tri-axle boat trailer. Installation went very well and everything seems to be a great fit. I will not hook the truck to it until spring but I am very anxious to see the improvement over surge brakes. I was able to make a neat clean install and wiring directions were great.
All went great as always when I buy from trailer
Product has worked flawlessly since I installed 15,000 miles ago.
Forget surge brakes, this should be the standard setup. Liked it so much I bought it again for my new to me boat and trailer.
easy install, works great
Joshua
9/20/2024
still works wonderfully, installed for a customer about a year ago on his boat trailer and no complaints so far
Pump works great. Disc brakes with this pump work 10 times better that electric drum brakes. 4 stars because it took a couple of months to get
Brad F.
10/16/2023
Brakes are still working great. I have a 9k skidsteer on a 14k dump trailer that I haul with my F150 and have now worries about being able to stop.
Mike L.
11/8/2023
The product was great the shipping not so great I paid for overnight shipping 88.00 to get it next day, we didn’t revive it until a day later. But spent 88.00 for overnight. This is the only issue I have you pay to get something next day for a reason you need it. Let’s see if someone contacts me and says we’re going to make this right. That will tell really how well this company works with its customers. I’ll be waiting on that call with a resolution on the shipping expense and experience.
The Dexter Electric over Hydraulic break actuator is amazing!!! It connects directly to my 2023 Ford F150 which has the trailer towing option that includes braking gain adjustment by brake pedal pressure. I had surge brakes on my boat trailer and that was MISERABLE. Changing from surge to the Dexter system is a massive relief of problems, worries and safety. I am going to purchase a second system for my utility trailer. Thanks etrailer!
Item was very easy to install and seems to be working well. I was surprised at how loud the unit is under full activation (e.x. pulling the breakaway switch). Also I found out the hard way that I needed a heavier high temp breakaway switch, as mine started smoking and the wires started to melt when I puled the breakaway during a test. I ordered the Dexter K71-691-00 switch to hopefully resolve the issue.
Art
5/28/2016
Unit works well, Im very pleased with it.
I love this thing! I live in the Santa Cruz mountains in California and that is not where you want surge brakes, had those, they burned up (I go from 1800 feet to sea level).
Upgrading to electric over hydraulic has been amazing, so much better. It's work but so worth it if you have to go down hills.
It works great, no issues.
Like the DX brake actuator first time I used one it was simple to install. Thank every much for electric over hydraulic.
Terry
4/28/2022
Yes the brake actuator is working very fine. Easy to install.
Terry
4/28/2022
Yes the brake actuator is working very fine. Easy to install.
Only 3 stars because the unit is not repairable. After a lightning strike nearby may be what damaged my controller I had to get a totally new unit. Upon opening the old unit up I could see there was just one component on the circuit board that was damaged. There should be an option to buy just the circuit board along with a gasket kit. It is a very expensive unit and I question the durabilty of the unit. There is a warning in the instruction manual that warns about sensitive electronics and also says the complete unit must be REMOVED from the trailer before any welding repair is made. If this thing is so sensitive you had better hope it does not crap out when you need your trailer brakes the most. I wish there was another option other than this "SENSITIVE" piece. etrailer was OK to buy from no issue there.
these were installed on my Landmark fifth wheel. you have to know what you are doing to install the hydraulic brake actuator and hydraulic lines. But WOW what a difference. I think that my Landmark has more braking power than my pickup truck now. thanks
I have had these on a few trailers now and they work great. However this time I had to purchase another component to make my 2018 GMC sense the brake actuator was there. I’m not sure if they have corrected this yet however my buddy recently purchased the same from etrailer and it worked perfect on the same year exact same truck. Other than this it’s a great product.
Seems to work quite well even though I only have gotten to use the trailer for a couple of times. The garage I had taken it to to get work done left it sit for over 10 months before finally getting to it.
1600 PSI electric over hydraulic brake actuator -- very easy installation. Brake Fluid reservoir holds quite a bit and made bleeding the brakes an easier task.
Kudos go to eTrailer.com for their quick delivery of the brake actuator - Juanita T was especially helpful in both the selection and follow-up on the product. Special thanks go to her.
Product is good, only had issues with the shipping which is not etrailers fault. So I would suggest paying extra for next day and not do regular.
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Chris T.
11/3/2024
I had a problem with the actuator in the summer that I diagnosed was a faulty unit. E trailer sent a new unit free of charge and got me back on the road. Thank you E trailer again for the great service.