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  1. Trailer Brakes
  2. Dexter
  3. Electric Drum Brakes
  4. 7000 lbs Axle
  5. 12 x 2 Inch Drum
  6. 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
  7. 15 Inch Wheel
  8. 16 Inch Wheel
Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs
Dexter

Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs

Part Number: 23-180-181
In Stock
$207.06
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Brakes 23-180-181 - 12 x 2 Inch Drum - Dexter
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Whether you're replacing your trailer brakes or installing some on a new brake axle, these are easy to work with from start to stop. 12" x 2" Assemblies fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. 5 bolt pattern backing plate. Made in the USA. Great Prices for the best trailer brakes from Dexter. Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs part number 23-180-181 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Dexter Trailer Brakes - 23-180-181

  • Electric Drum Brakes
  • 7000 lbs Axle
  • 12 x 2 Inch Drum
  • 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
  • 15 Inch Wheel
  • 16 Inch Wheel
  • Standard Grade
  • Manual Adjust
  • Dexter

Whether you're replacing your trailer brakes or installing some on a new brake axle, these are easy to work with from start to stop. 12" x 2" Assemblies fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. 5 bolt pattern backing plate. Made in the USA.


Features:

  • Easier to install and gives you more control than hydraulic brakes
    • Requires only an electric brake controller (sold separately) - no actuator or hydraulic lines needed
  • Periodic manual adjustment required
    • Can be done in minutes
  • Long-lasting brake pads offer excellent braking torque
    • Fully bonded to shoes for more consistent braking compared to riveted pads
  • Adjuster plugs (included) protect internal components from dirt, grime, and road debris
  • Left-hand (driver's-side) and right-hand (passenger's-side) brake assemblies included
    • Includes mounting nuts (bolts sold separately)
  • Made in the USA


Specs:

  • Application: most standard hub-and-drum assemblies, including etrailer, Dexter, and Lippert (LCI)
  • Dimensions: 12" diameter x 2" wide
  • Mounting flange bolt pattern: 5 bolt
  • Wheel size: 14-1/2", 15" or 16"
  • Axle rating: 7,000 lbs
  • Limited 5-year warranty


Quick Tip: There's really not a whole lot to getting new drum brakes. If you've confirmed that all of the specs listed above line up with what you need for your trailer, you can be pretty sure these will work for you.


How to Manually Adjust Trailer Brakes

The more miles you put on your trailer, the more your brake pads will wear down. As they lose contact with the drum, stopping distances get longer and longer. To keep your brakes working great, it's important to adjust them pretty routinely. For this job, grab a floor jack and either a brake adjustment tool (sold separately) or just a standard flathead screwdriver.


Jack up your trailer enough to get the wheel(s) off the ground. Remove the adjuster plugs from the backing plate on the brake, and insert the flat end of the tool through the back of the assembly.


Screenshot from an instruction video shows how to manually adjust the the alignment on a drum brake

Push in on the star gear and lift it up. Keep doing this until the brake pads catch on your drum. When you can't spin your wheel by hand anymore, back the gear off by about 10 clicks by pushing down on the star gear. Does the wheel now spin freely (even if it sounds like the brake pads drag slightly on the drum)? Great! Then you're all done with that one and ready to adjust the rest.


How to Break In New Brakes

After you get these brakes installed and adjusted, you'll need to break them in. First, find a long stretch of road or a big, empty parking lot. Once you're there, set your brake controller to its maximum setting and get moving. Speed up to about 40 mph and brake to slow to about 20 mph. Repeat this 15-30 times. The goal is to get the brake shoes and magnet properly seated into your drum. You'll know you've done that when it feels less jerky (and more consistent) each time you apply the brakes.


Note: The brakes will be very hot after doing this, so after every 10 stops you'll want to wait about 10 minutes to let the brakes cool off before continuing. If you don't, you might cook and crack the pad material.



23-180 Dexter Electric Brake Assembly - LH - Driver Side - 12" x 2" - Manual Adjust - 7,000 lbs

23-181 Dexter Electric Brake Assembly - RH - Passenger Side - 12" x 2" - Manual Adjust - 7,000 lbs




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Customer Satisfaction Score:

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

1550 reviews
5 Stars
(1356)
4 Stars
(123)
3 Stars
(28)
2 Stars
(17)
1 Star
(26)
Whether you're replacing your trailer brakes or installing some on a new brake axle, these are easy to work with from start to stop. 12" x 2" Assemblies fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. 5 bolt pattern backing plate. Made in the USA.

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See what our Experts say about this Dexter Trailer Brakes

  • What Is The Difference Between Dexter Electric Brakes 23-180-181 and 23-105-106?
    The difference between the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 and the # 23-105-106 you mentioned are the strength of the brake magnets. The # 23-180-181 was designed for 7000lb axles where the # 23-105-106 was designed for 6000lb axles so it has slightly weaker brake magnets. They are both 12" x 2" brakes so they are interchangeable, but you will want to match them to the weight rating of your axle to make sure you get adequate...
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    I really suggest you just take the trailer back to the dealer and have them fix the issue because the second you try to fix their mistake, the warranty for the work they performed goes out the window. That said, if the brakes are humming then that means you are getting power. If the brakes are getting power but not engaging then the most common cause of this after a fresh install is that they have not yet been adjusted. There is a star wheel on the back for adjusting the tension on the...
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    Hey Lee. You'll need to pull the hub and measure the inside of it if you can't find a part number on the brake assemblies themselves. You'll need the diameter of the hub and the width. Most modern brakes, like the item # 23-180-181 you were looking at fit a 12 x 2" drum. You'll also need to check and see what kind of mounting bolt pattern they have that attaches them to the axle. It should be a 5 bolt pattern but it could be a 7 depending on the capacity of your axles. Are your brakes...
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  • Do You Carry a 7K Electric Brake with Parking Brake Levers? Difference Between 023-112 & 023-180?
    Hello Tom, The Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 (023-180-00 and 023-181-00) do not have the parking brake lever. I do not see that Dexter makes the 7K brake with the lever, I confirmed this on their site. They do however have a 6K, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - Parking Brake Ready - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 6K # 23-112-113 which is also a 12". The difference between the 023-112-00 and 023-180-00 is the axle rating,...
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  • Best Replacement Brakes for a 7,000 lbs Axle
    Hey Jared! I recommend replacing your brakes over finding replacement shoes today then springs or magnets next time. I would need to know exactly what brake assemblies you currently have (part numbers) to look and see if we have replacement shoes and it's not really a cost or time effective solution compared to replacing the entire assembly. 5 bolts two wires and you're onto the next one is a whole lot easier than dissembling each brake. I do not have a database that shows me part numbers...
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  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for a 2016 Texas Pride Dump Trailer w/ 7k Axles
    They definitely should Artie. However, I do not have a database that shows me what parts are on your trailer and Texas Pride's website is not helpful. What you'll need to do is check and see what mounting bolt pattern is on brake flange and what size your hubs are. If your trailer has a 5 bolt mounting flange and a hub that measures 12" diameter x 2" wide then the Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes item # 23-180-181 are exactly what you need. Are you interested in installing self-adjusting...
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  • Recommended Replacement Electric Trailer Brakes For 7000lb Dexter Axle
    I would be happy to help! Since your Dexter axle has a 7000lb rating you will need the Electric Brake Assemblies # 23-464-465 for self adjusting brakes, or # 23-180-181 for standard brakes that you will need to adjust on occasion. I recommended the self adjusting versions as there is nothing to have to manually adjust in the future, but they are a bit more expensive so it will come down to how much you are looking to spend. I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take...
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    Hello Adam, Yes, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 are the Dexter part number 023-180-00. The # 23-180-181 are the manual adjust brakes, if you wanted to go with the self adjusting so you have one less thing to remember you could go with the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7K # 23-464-465. For the bearings you will want to purchase (4) of the Bearing Kit, 14125A/ 25580 Bearings,...
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  • Replacement Hubs and Brake Assemblies for a 5,100 lbs Axle
    Hey Jarrett, thanks for the information! To replace your hubs, bearings, and brake assemblies you'll need the following parts: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 5,200-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 item # 8-201-5UC3-EZ - Sold individually Manual Adjusted - Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies item # 23-180-181 - Sold as a pair Self Adjusting - Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies item # 23-458-459 - Sold...
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    Hey Paul, for your 2022 Grand Design Momentum 351MS you can use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes # 23-180-181 for replacement brakes. These brakes will work with Dexter 7k axles, measures 12" x 2", and has a 5 bolt mounting flange.
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  • Looking for Info On Replacing Hub on Trailer Axle
    Hey Tom, if you can get me the axle capacity on your trailer that would be all I would need to pick out a replacement hub. Since it's a 5 lug I would guess and say it's probably a 3,500 lb axle.
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  • Timken Replacement Bearing Kit for a Dexter 5,200 lbs Axle.
    Hey Roland thanks for the information! To replace the bearings and seals on your Dexter 5,200 lbs with TImken bearings you'll want the Timken Bearing Kit 15123/ 25580 Bearings, 15245/25520 Races, 412920 Seal item # TMK42VR. This kit has everything you need to replace all the bearings, races, and seals in a single hub. It also includes a new cotter pin. If you have any additional questions go ahead and throw them in the comment box below.
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  • Looking For Replacement For 8-219 Hubs
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    Hey Thomas. To replace your brakes you'll need new hubs and brake assemblies. I am going to need some information from you to get you the correct hubs. There is no database I can look up that shows me this information like you can find on cars and trucks. What you'll want to do is pull one of the hubs and look at the two bearings inside. They should have numbers stamped into the sides of them. I'll need those part numbers to identify your spindle size which will tell me what hub you need....
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  • What Drums and Brakes do I Need for My Nexhaul Enclosed Trailer with 3,500LBS Axles?
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  • Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Brakes - One Brake Is Much Tighter Than The Other 3
    Hello Kevin, thanks for reaching out. Since you have already driven with these brakes a lot, the shoes should be properly seated to the drum. New breaks do need to be broken in to get full braking power. This is usually done by speeding the truck up to about 40 mph then using the manual override on your brake controller to slow the vehicle to about 20 mph. Repeating this process 30 or so times until the brakes are nice and hot and this should allow the brake shoes to seat into the hub....
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  • Correct Electric Trailer Brakes For Dexter 7,000 lb Axle
    Thanks for the photo, and you are correct, you do indeed have a Dexter 7,000 lb axle, and are also correct regarding the shoes and magnets for Dexter 7k electric brakes, the Replacement Shoe # DX28FR and Replacement Magnet # BP01-225. That said, replacing the entire electric brake assembly is a good idea, and what you need for your Dexter 7k axle is the following: - Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 - Mounting Bolts and...
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  • Can 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies be Used in 6k Trailer Axle Hub/Drums
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    I just confirmed with Dexter that the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181 you were looking at are the correct replacements for the AL-KO brake assembly part #s 363233.1 and 363233.2. The Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 5.2K & 6K Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 - Pre-Greased item # AKHD-655-6-EZ-K you referenced will fit inner bearing item # 25580 (1.75" inner diameter) and outer bearing item # 15123 (1.25" inner...
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  • Replacement Hub and Brake Assemblies for Dexter 8-219 Wheel Hubs
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  • 7,000 lbs Electric Drum Brakes on a 5,200 lbs Axle
    Yes, you can use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181 on your 5,200 lbs axle so long as you have a 5 bolt flange like the one linked in the diagram below. These brakes fit a 12" x 2" drum. Another option is to use the Dexter Electric Brake Assembly for 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs item # 23-106-09 and the Left Hand item # 23-105-09 which fit both 4 Bolt or 5 Bolt Flanges.
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    I reached out to Lippert and the correct hub and drum assembly for your Dutchman Voltage 3200 is the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 7,000-lb Axles - 12" Diameter - 8 on 6-1/2 - Pre-Greased # LC53UD. This hub has 1/2" diameter x 1-5/16" long wheel studs. It uses a # 25580 inner and # 14125A outer bearing. This hub and drum is compatible with 12" x 2" brake assemblies like the # 23-180-181.
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