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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
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$190.85
Trailer Brakes
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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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Ratings & Reviews

4.8

1421 reviews
5 Stars
(1241)
4 Stars
(115)
3 Stars
(25)
2 Stars
(15)
1 Star
(25)
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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  • Recommended Replacement Electric Trailer Brakes For 7000lb Dexter Axle
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    Yes, we can get your 2014 Heartland Gateway 3200RS 5th wheel trailer set up with the Dexter hub and drum and electric brakes. What you'll need is the following, and you can choose from either manually adjusting brakes or self-adjusting brakes: - Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # 8-219-4UC3 - Manual Adjust Brakes: Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 or - Self-Adjust Brakes: Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-464-465 The hub and drum comes with the bearings,...
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  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for a Dexter Axle Part # 60826
    It looks like the Dexter axle part # 60826 is a 7,000 lbs capacity axle. To replace the brake assemblies, I recommend the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181. You will need one set per axle. I have linked an installation video below.
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  • Can 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies be Used in 6k Trailer Axle Hub/Drums
    Yes, 7k trailer axle brake assemblies like # 23-180-181 will fit 6k axle hub/drums. They use the exact same dimensions and bolt patterns which allows that. The difference is the strength or sensitivity of the magnets in the assemblies. The 7k axles have a magnet that is more sensitive and will pull harder on the drums. This might seem like it would give you more stopping power but in reality a 6k assembly set would just as easily lock up the brakes so there is no more stopping power gained....
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    You have some options with the 8-219 for replacement parts. These kits will include new brake hubs, bearings, races, seals, caps and wheel nuts. 1/2" Wheel Studs Grease Cap # 8-219-4UC3 1/2" Wheel Studs EZ-Lube Cap # 8-219-4UC3-EZ 1/2" Wheel Studs Oil Bath Hub # 8-219-9UC3 9/16" Wheel Studs Grease Cap # AKHD-865-7-1-K 9/16" Wheel Studs EZ-Lube Cap # 8-219-13UC3 9/16" Wheel Studs EZ-Lube Cap # 8-219-18UC3 The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 will require the brakes to be...
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