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  1. Trailer Brakes
  2. Dexter
  3. Electric Drum Brakes
  4. 10000 lbs Axle
  5. 12-1/4 x 4 Inch Drum
  6. 16 Inch Wheel
  7. 16-1/2 Inch Wheel
  8. 17 Inch Wheel
  9. 17-1/2 Inch Wheel
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 10K
Up to $50 Online Rebate When You Purchase Up to 6 Qualifying Dexter Brakes.
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Dexter

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 10K

Part Number: 23-438-439
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$665.72
$645.72 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate
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23-438-439 - 16 Inch Wheel,16-1/2 Inch Wheel,17 Inch Wheel,17-1/2 Inch Wheel Dexter Trailer Brakes
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These brakes automatically adjust as you tow so you don't have to crawl around on the ground to do it manually. 12-1/4" x 4" Assemblies fit 16" or larger wheels. Backing plate has a 7-bolt pattern. Made in the USA. Great Prices for the best trailer brakes from Dexter. Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 10K part number 23-438-439 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Dexter Trailer Brakes - 23-438-439

Highlights

  • Always Brakes Evenly: Self-adjusting design keeps shoes aligned—no manual tuning needed.
  • Stops Smooth and Strong: Bonded, tapered pads give full friction contact and resist lockup.
  • Bolts Right On: 12-1/4" x 4" assemblies fit 7-bolt flanges and 16" or larger wheels for easy swap.
  • Built for Heavy Loads: Rated for 10,000-lb axles to maintain stopping power under weight.
  • Simplifies Wiring: Electric setup works with a brake controller—no hydraulic lines required.
  • Certified Safe: CSA certification confirms reliability and road-ready construction.
Made in USA

Features to know about

Reliable Stopping Every Time You Tow: Self-Adjusting 12-1/4" x 4" Electric Brakes

Keeping your trailer brakes properly adjusted can be a hassle, but these Dexter Nev-R-Adjust assemblies handle it automatically. The self-adjusting mechanism keeps the pads aligned as they wear, maintaining consistent contact with the drum for smooth, dependable braking. No manual tweaking or uneven shoe wear—just steady, predictable performance every time you hit the brakes.

Smooth, Quiet Operation: Bonded Brake Pads with Tapered Edges

Screeching or jerky stops usually mean worn or riveted pads. These bonded brake pads are fully attached to the shoes for more friction surface and better braking torque. The tapered edges help prevent stuttering or lockup as they wear, giving you quieter and more controlled stops mile after mile.

Close-up view of Dexter electric drum brake showing bonded and tapered brake pads for consistent braking performance.

Strong Build for Heavy Loads: 10,000-lb Axle Rating and 7-Bolt Mount

Designed for serious towing strength, each assembly fits most standard hub-and-drum setups that use a 7-bolt mounting flange and are rated for 10,000 lbs axles. The sturdy stamped steel housing and durable magnets provide consistent braking power under heavy loads, while compatibility with 16" or larger wheels ensures a solid fit on heavy-duty rigs.

Simple Electric Setup: No Actuator or Hydraulic Lines Needed

These electric drum brakes give you more control than hydraulic systems without the extra parts. All they need is a compatible electric brake controller to deliver immediate response from the cab—no pumps, lines, or fluid maintenance required. That means faster wiring and fewer moving parts to worry about down the road.

Built for Peace of Mind: CSA-Certified Safety

Dexter tests these assemblies to meet Canadian Standards Association requirements, confirming they’re safe and reliable under real-world conditions. It’s one less thing to second-guess when you’re counting on your brakes to do their job every time you tow.

Specs

Application

  • Application: most standard hub-and-drum assemblies, including etrailer, Dexter, and Lippert (LCI)

Dimensions

  • Dimensions: 12-1/4" diameter x 4" wide
  • Mounting flange bolt pattern: 7 bolt

Wheel and Axle Compatibility

  • Wheel size: 16" or larger
  • Axle rating: 10,000 lbs

Warranty

  • Limited warranty: 5-year warranty

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brake assembly showing red callout indicating tension cable and pulley for self-adjusting brake mechanism.

23-438 Dexter Electric Brake Assembly - LH - Driver Side - 12-1/4" x 4" - Self-Adjusting - 10,000 lbs

23-439 Dexter Electric Brake Assembly - RH - Passenger Side - 12-1/4" x 4" - Self-Adjusting - 10,000 lbs





Customer Satisfaction Score:

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

1906 reviews
5 Stars
(1649)
4 Stars
(158)
3 Stars
(35)
2 Stars
(22)
1 Star
(42)
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by:
It was so easy to work with the sales group to find the parts I was needing and place the order and the shipping was fast.
by:
Great quality and price!
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All good
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We are an handy couple and like performing our trailer maintenance when we can. Updated our 25ft Airstream Intl from original 12x2 Dexter brakes 4500 lb (cracked and spilt brake wiring from age and noticing very little braking power). Updated to 6000 lb self adjusting versions. Extreme difference once burnishing in and braking for 30 miles. Have a few 300mile trips behind us now and the trailer brake gain dropped for 7.5 down to 5 mostly loaded. Possibly need to turn the brake gain down further as the braking is SO much more positive than ever before. Even when the old brakes were better working. Much less worry and stress now towing at any incline or highway speeds.
Lazer S. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Lazer S.

3/24/2026

Glad they are working well for you guys, Dirk! Stopping is pretty important and being able to do so comfortably definitely makes towing less stressful. ^___^ Cool Airstream as well! What the next trip you guys have planned?

by:
Super easy to install and easy to wire in. Did a full new install, mounting to factory brake flanges. All it takes to install these is a small amount of mechanical ability and a knowledge of vehicle wiring. Just remember that these are the brakes only, and you’ll need to add drums as well, replacing your hubs.
by:
Everything was as needed Carter helped locate all items and made sure all was correct t for my axles highly recommend for any trailer parts needed
James D. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

James D.

5/11/2026

Glad Carter could help you track down everything you needed and let us know if you ever need anything else! Appreciate you choosing etrailer Bud!

by:
It has been about a year since installing these trailer brakes, and the install was straightforward on our 2 horse/w-tack room -Featherlite gooseneck as direct replacement parts. We have towed a lot of miles over the past year and they have performed great.

Ordering through etrailer was easy, and the customer service was excellent. When I had questions, I was able to send photos for clarification and get clear answers. Solid product and great support. I would definitely order from etrailer again.
by:
First time buyer from etrailer. I was having a hard time navigating through the website as I wanted to make sure I got the correct parts. Kayleigh was the representative that I got. She did an excellent job answering my questions and making sure I got the right parts. I installed the complete tandem axle replacement pieces and everything installed just like it should. Kayleigh made this a great experience and I will use etrailer for any future camper needs.
by:
Easiest brake job I ever have done. Product arrived on time and was packaged well. I would recommend these brake replacements to everyone who needs new brakes on there Dexter never adjust system. As you can see in the photo, many of the parts on the this right side were missing. Springs,self adjuster,cable. Removed the drum and five nuts later the whole backer plate was in my hand. Much easier than trying to figure out what's missing then order and replace those parts. Now I have the confidence of having new brakes on that axle. In the spring when I bring my fifth wheel back from Florida I replace the brakes on the front axle too. Hope this helped anyone on the fence about doing this job.
Gwendolyn Y. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Gwendolyn Y.

9/25/2025

Install looks fantastic, Frederick! I know your review will help others when they come across it. Also... where do you keep your 5th wheel at down in Florida?

by:
I'm real happy with the upgrade from surge to electric brakes on my boat trailer. I only do fresh water and only a couple trips a year, but the upgrade was well worth it for me. There is but one thing I wish were different with these brakes. The studs are pressed into the backplate, and on my trailer axle, the welds on the back wouldn't let the nuts sit flat on the bottom bolts, when tightening them. This forced me to remove the bottom studs, buy some 3/4" bolts of the same thread (grade 8) and put nuts on the brake-internal side of the plate. That left the nuts very close to the magnet wires on the arm that holds the magnet, and I had to adjust the clips to flip the wires over the arm at a higher up spot to avoid the nuts. All in all it worked, but I would love to see them come up with a better routing path for those wires. As it is I'm going to have to inspect them regularly to make sure nothing is moving and pinching, or I'll have some shorting of the wires if they moved drastically. I did have one brake that after assembly, I found that the bottom adjuster wasn't snapped in properly (my fault) but otherwise the rest of the process went well.
by:
Went with this new setup to have the auto adjustment feature, and the install went perfectly. I have been running them for 2 years now and haven’t ran into any issues.
Thanks to all at etrailer for all your help and fast shipping.
by:
One of this L/R set arrive broken As always, etrailer's customer service is outstanding! I had a replacement part in two days and UPS came already to pick up the bad one. Th brakes are of excellent quality and very easy to install.
by:
Carter was very helpful, and the backing plates fit perfectly. The shipping was very fast, and FREE! I buy from etrailer rather than Amazon these days if I need trailer parts. Installation was straightforward. I should have bought new grease seals at the same time, wish they were included! But I got some locally and installed them while I had the brakes apart. Five stars, service, parts, and shipping!!!
by:
Parts showed up super quick. All the parts were the correct parts that the Representative helped me order. I’ll definitely order from them again.
Heather A. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Heather A.

4/9/2026

I’m glad everything showed up quick and that we got you the right parts the first time, especially with brakes where you definitely don’t want any guesswork. That makes a big difference when you’re ready to get everything back together. Also, that looks like a pretty serious RV you’ve got there. What are you running?

Jeffery C. profile picture

Jeffery C.

4/9/2026

@HeatherA That’s a 22 Keystone Fuzion 427. It’s big AF. 44 ft 5 in. When it’s loaded down, it’s about 18k pounds. So braking is clearly essential to the safety of my family and everyone else on the road. Thanks for your help. We nailed it first try and you were key to getting the right parts.
by:
E-trailer was great deal with and shipped these Dexter brake assemblies within a couple days They offered us another brand to save money, but we chose to use the genuine Dexter brand We were able to install them on our fifth wheel camper with no issues.
by:
After making sure the brake adjusted itself and burnished them, the brakes do not stop well at all. I'm getting 12v to them, so don't know what the issue is. With the brake controller on 20, it should lock up the brakes, but they barely stop.
Mike L. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

6/23/2026

What's the wire gauge used in the brake output circuit on your trailer? 12ga is acceptable, but I'd rather see 10ga.

Mike profile picture

Mike

6/24/2026

@MikeL The brake magnets are only wired with 20 or 22 ga. The wire to them is what came in the Dexter axle, 16 or 18 ga. There isn't significant voltage drop at the magnet wires when the brakes are at full current.
by:
The description of the brake assembly should be more specific to them being sold as pairs, I accidentally ordered 4 when I needed 2 for a dual axle trailer. The parts and fit are perfect.
by:
Super fast shipping and excellent packaging. Straightforward install and all parts (minus the electric crimp connectors) included. Original Dexter parts guarantee quality and safety. Thank you!
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See what our Experts say about this Dexter Trailer Brakes

  • Are The Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # DX68QR Sold as a Set Or Individual Quantity?
    The Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # DX68QR is for a single hub. These are not sold as pairs as they do not always have to be replaced as a set. We do offer the brakes for this either as a Set # 23-438-439 or the Left # 23-438 and Right # 23-439 separately.
    view full answer...
  • Brake Assemblies for Dexter 10k Trailer Axles of 1999 Eager Beaver
    Is there a capacity listed anywhere on the axle? I can give Dexter the serial number of your axle but it may take a couple days and if you could get me the diameter of your axles or the capacity I could much quicker get you what you need.
    view full answer...
  • What Is the Weight Capacity Of a Dexter D100G Axle
    The spoke with Dexter and the code "D100G" tells me you have two 10,000 lb trailer axles. I have attached some parts you may need for the axle below. Dexter Trailer Hub Drum Assembly (After July 2009) - part # 8-430-5UC3 Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly (Before July 2009) - part # K08-288-90 Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit (12-1/4" x 4") - part # 23-438-439 Dexter Hydraulic Drum Brake Kit (12-1/4" x 4") - part # 23-404-405 Inner Bearing - part # 387A Inner Race - part # 382A Outer...
    view full answer...
  • Brake Pads/Brake Shoes For Gatormade Trailer With 10,000 lb Dexter Axles
    Hi Armando, Thanks for the photo showing the sticker on your trailer, and from what I was able to find you have 10,000 lb Dexter axles with disc brakes. You'll want to verify this just to be certain, but for replacement 10k disc brake pads you can use the Replacement Brake Pads for Dexter Disc Brakes - 10,000 lbs and 12,000 lbs # BP04-395. The # BP04-395 is for one axle so if you're replacing the brake pads on both axles you'll need to order two (2) of this part.
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Hub/Drum Assembly and Brakes for Dexter 10k Axle on Eager Beaver Deckover Trailer
    Hey Garrett! With a 387A outer bearing you may be able to use the # DX68QR you were looking at which uses the same 9-27 drum. Make sure the 387A was the outer, and not the inner bearing. Your inner bearing would be the 395S and then for the seal it is a 10-56 with an inner diameter of 3.125". I don't know of a pre-greased option with the bearings and seals installed for 10k hubs so this is the best we can offer. For brake assemblies you can use the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer...
    view full answer...
  • Looking For Parts For Older AL-KO Drum Brakes
    Hey Brad, thanks for reaching out. What parts are you looking for specifically? We may have the parts you need like brake shoes for example. Let me know what you are looking for and I can see if we have it. Honestly though, there are not a lot of parts available for these older AL-KO brakes, but it never hurts to check. If the parts you need are not available, we would next look at replacing the brake assemblies entirely. What we carry are the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Brake Magnets For Dexter 10,000 lb Electric Brakes
    The D1012 is a Dexter 10,000 lb axle, so it'll have 10,000 lb Dexter electric brakes like the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-438-439. Many do not work, as they do need specific brake magnets, and the correct replacement brake magnets for these brakes is the following: - Replacement Magnet Kit for Dexter 12-1/4" Electric Brake Assembly # BP01-301
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Bearings, Seal, and Brake Assembly for Dexter D1012 HD Axle
    The bearings you need for a Dexter D1012 HD axle would be: Inner bearing # 387A Outer bearing # 25580 Oil seal # 10-51 For brake assemblies you'd need the # 23-438-439 which are a 12-1/4 inch by 4 inch wide assembly.
    view full answer...
  • Electric Trailer Brake Assembly for 10k & 12k Axle
    To find the correct electric trailer brake assembly for your 10k or 12k axle, you need to know what brake mounting flange bolt pattern you have, and the inside diameter and depth of your drum. The only option for 10k and 12k axles we have are from Dexter and each has a 7-bolt brake mounting flange. The 10k is 12-1/4" diameter x 4" wide (so that's the size drum it fits) while the 12k is 12-1/4" diameter x 5" wide: - 10,000 lb Brakes: Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes # 23-438-439 -...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for Rockwell 10k Trailer Axle
    Rockwell trailer axles use standard trailer brake components so yes a 10k Dexter brake assembly like the Dexter Electric Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 9K to 10K # 23-450-451 if your hubs are 12-1/4 by 3-3/8 inches. If your hubs are the 4 inch width, then you will use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-438-439.
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Hub/Drums and Brake Assemblies for Dexter 10k Trailer Axle
    Since your trailer has Dexter 10k axles the correct hub/drum you need is the part # 8-430-5UC3 which comes with bearings, races and seal. Since you need shoes and magnets it would be easiest to go with new assemblies altogether like with the part # 23-438-439. Otherwise for shoes you'd need the part # BP04-325 for the left hand side and # BP04-335 for the right hand side. Then for a replacement magnet # BP01-301.
    view full answer...
  • How to Tell if 10K Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes Are for Driver or Passenger Side
    Hi Chad! There are 2 ways to tell the difference between driver side and passenger side Dexter Axle brake assemblies; the first is by looking at the sticker on the inside, and the second is by looking at the brake assemblies as a whole. For example, the 10K Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes # 23-438-439 have the magnet arms on different sides of the assembly so you just have to compare what you have with the attached photo. If you have something else please let me know! The...
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • Recommended Brakes, Bearings and Seals for Dexter 10k General Duty Axle
    I reached out to Dexter and found that your axle is a 10,000 lb general duty axle. The correct inner bearing and race is the # 387A and # 382A, the correct outer bearing and race is the # 25580 and # 25520. For a replacement seal you want the # 10-51. For electric brakes I recommend the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 10K # 23-438-439. These are self-adjusting brakes so there will be no need for manual adjustment. I have attached...
    view full answer...
  • Recommended Brakes for a Dexter 10,000 lbs Axle
    Thanks for the information! I just heard back from Dexter and your axle has a 10,000 lbs capacity. For brakes you will want the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes item # 23-438-439.
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Drum Brakes Assembly for 10,000 lb Dexter Axle
    We have drum brake assemblies for your 10K Dexter axles. If you want the electric assemblies, we have the Dexter Electric Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 9K to 10K # 23-450-451 if your hubs are 12-1/4 by 3-3/8 inches. If your hubs are the 4 inch width, then you will use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-438-439. If you have hydraulic brakes we have the following: # 23-410-411 for 12-1/4 x 3-3/8 inch drum # K23-524-00-2 for 12-1/4 x 3-1/2...
    view full answer...
  • Brake Assembly for Dexter 10k Axle with 12 1/4 x 4 Brakes
    I have a solution for you but part # AKEBRK-10 is not what you are looking for. Instead the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit Left/Right Hand Assemblies part # 23-438-439 is the set you need. The others are just a little too narrow for your application.
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for Trailer with Dexter 10k Axles
    If you can measure the width of your current brake assembly pads I can get you the correct brake assembly set for your Dexter 10,000 lb axles. If the pads are 3-3/8 inches wide you'd want the part # 23-450-451 or if they are 4 inches wide you'd want the part # 23-438-439. I tried looking up the numbers on the tag you sent a picture of and was not able to find anything.
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • Replacement Recommendation for AL-KO 12-1/4" Electric Brakes
    To replace your 10K AL-KO electric brakes you'll need the Dexter Electric Brake Kit # 23-450-451 which are self-adjusting 12-1/4" x 3-3/8". These are also available as 12-1/4" x 4" brakes with the kit # 23-438-439 instead. Dexter Axle owns AL-KO so while these are branded as "Dexter" brakes, they are essentially the same thing. Attached are some videos for you to check out.
    view full answer...
  • Disc Brake Kit For 10K Dexter Axle
    Disc brakes are only going to be available in a hydraulic application like the Brakes # KD94FR you found. The ones you found are for AL-KO axles and we do have the Kit # K2R1058D11DAC for a 10K Dexter axle. You can use an Electric over Hydraulic Actuator # HBA16 to control the brakes with an electric brake controller. If you can provide me with some additional information about your trailer I can help you determine what all parts you will need including brake lines to replace your Drum...
    view full answer...
  • Availability of 10,000 lb Axle Dexter Trailer Brake Assemblies
    The only option we have for 10k axle rated Dexter electric brake assemblies is the part # 23-438-439 that you referenced. 10k trailer axles with drum brakes just aren't as popular as other options so there isn't as much competition for this size.
    view full answer...
  • Will Dexter 12-1/4" x 4" Brakes Fit in Place of Old Brakes with Stamped Backing Plate
    Provided that your existing brakes are 12-1/4" x 4" and use the same 7-bolt mounting pattern then you can use Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-438-439. I have included a link to a video review of this kit for you.
    view full answer...
  • Electric Drum Brakes for 10K Axle Conversion from Hydraulic Brakes
    Your choice of electric drum brakes to replace your hydraulics will be based on axle weight capacity. We do have electric brakes rated for 10K axles and these have the same 12-1/4 x 4 dimensions as your current hydraulics. You can see all of these electric brakes on the linked page. For example, Dexter Self-Adjusting brake set # 23-438-439 uses the same 7-bolt mounting pattern as the item you referenced, # AKEBRK-10R, but will properly fit your drums. These brakes work with wheels sizes...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement 10K Dexter Brake Assemblies
    Hi Dean! The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 10K # 23-438-439 is sold as a pair (one left and one right). Since you are needing two left and two right, you will just need to order two of the # 23-438-439 kits and you will have brand new brakes on both axles! ^___^ What kind of trailer are you needing these for?
    view full answer...

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Info for this part was:

Employee Lindsey S
Edited by:
Lindsey S
Employee Michael H
Expert Research:
Michael H
Employee Jameson C
Expert Research:
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Employee Jeff D
Installed by:
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Employee David F
Installed by:
David F
Employee Dustin K
Video Edited:
Dustin K
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
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