Backing down a ramp or into a tight spot is simple with these free-backing hydraulic drum brake assemblies. They’re built so the shoes don’t fully catch when you’re in reverse, meaning your wheels keep turning freely even if your surge actuator is activated. You get smooth backing without wheel lockup or dragging—ideal for trailers where the actuator doesn’t have a reverse lockout.
If you want to park your trailer confidently on an incline or during loading, these brakes are ready for it. The backing plates include the lever and linkage points needed for a tongue-mounted handbrake system (sold separately). Once connected, pulling the handbrake keeps your setup steady so your cargo stays put.
Each assembly provides the stopping power expected from a 12" diameter x 2" wide drum brake rated for up to 7,000 lbs axles. The long-lasting brake pads are fully bonded to the shoes for even contact and reliable braking torque compared to riveted designs. Adjuster plugs are included to keep dirt and debris out of the mechanism, helping maintain smooth braking performance over time.
When it’s time for routine service, these brakes make it easy. The manual-adjust design lets you keep stopping distances short by turning the star wheel through the backing plate until the pads seat just right. Once dialed in, you’re back on the road with confidence knowing your brakes are set up correctly for consistent performance.
Designed for most standard hub-and-drum assemblies—including etrailer, Dexter, and Lippert—these brakes mount easily to a 5-bolt flange and fit wheel sizes from 14-1/2" and larger. Left-hand and right-hand brake assemblies plus mounting nuts are included; mounting bolts (BRKH12) are sold separately.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi everyone, Steven here with etrailer.com. Today we're looking at a set of our Dexter hydraulic drum brakes compatible for parking brake, and they are free backing, and you're gonna have one left and one right hand assembly. Now these are 12-inch rated at 7,000 pound capacity, and the free backing. Free backing brakes let you back up without having to lock up the trailer brakes. So you are required that your surge actuator does not have a reverse lockout on it for these to work properly. Now these are parking brake ready, so they have a built-in parking brake, and they even have the mounts on the backside here for those parking brake cables to go in, one on both sides.
Now that kit is sold separately. If you need that, it's part number T2385200, and that requires a tongue amount of activating lever and cables for that to work. Now there are some periodic manual adjustments required. You've got adjuster plugs included. They're left off here for demo.
That's the hole you would use your brake adjuster tool in. And then obviously, you would be spinning that star wheel at the bottom of that yellow spring. And then you got the two plugs here to plug up the hole, and you got the five lock washer nuts there included for installing these. Now you should have the same old bolts to reuse, and that's the five-hole pattern here that would mount to the brake flange. Again, you get the lock nuts and lock washers included.
If you need new bolts, you could source them locally, or we carry them here as well, part number BRKH12. Now these fit most standard hub and drum assemblies including etrailer, Dexter, and Lippert, or LCI. These are 12-inch diameter by about two inches wide, and they are a five-bolt mounting flames there on the front. Now the pads are nice bonded pads. They're not riveted or anything, and they are the same quality as automotive grade.
So very nice quality here as always by Dexter. Again, axle rating up to 7,000 pounds. And these are the left and right hand as a kit. Well, folks, that's gonna wrap it up for a quick look together. I'm Steven. Thanks for watching.
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