This hydraulic surge actuator is rated for 12,500 lbs gross towing weight and 1,250 lbs maximum tongue weight, giving you dependable braking power for serious hauling. It’s made from heavy-duty steel with a primed finish that’s ready for paint or extra protection. Whether bolted or welded onto a straight 3" wide tongue, it’s built to handle years of use under tough conditions.
The 8" adjustable channel makes setup straightforward. You can mount a coupler (sold separately) in one of three vertical positions to fine-tune the trailer height and get a level tow. The channel design works with different attachment types, from ball couplers to lunette rings or clevis mounts. Bolt-on installation uses standard 1/2" x 4-1/2" Grade-5 bolts (not included), or you can weld it on if that fits your build better.
The composite master cylinder is made of glass-reinforced nylon that won’t rust or pit like metal. It’s paired with a large fluid reservoir that holds more brake fluid, reducing the chance of running low. The automotive-style diaphragm cap seals the system completely to help keep out dirt and moisture so your brake fluid stays clean and your brakes stay consistent.
Inside the actuator, an acetal copolymer lining gives smooth telescoping motion under braking so the system engages predictably every time. A built-in breakaway adds safety by applying the brakes automatically if the trailer ever disconnects. Together they deliver steady hydraulic pressure and dependable stopping power whenever you need it.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hello, everybody, this is Jeff at etrailer.com. Today we're gonna take a look at this Demo eight-inch adjustable center channel hydraulic drum brake actuator. It has a 12,500-pound gross towing weight capacity and has the primed finish to it. Now, this hydraulic actuator will activate your trailer brakes when your tow vehicle slows or stops. Basically, what happens is, when you apply the brakes in your tow vehicle, deceleration will occur, and the momentum will push your trailer toward the rear of your vehicle, and with a surge brake system, that actuator is triggered as your trailer moves forward once the tow vehicle starts to slow down, and when this happens, this inner slide portion of the actuator will contract and applies force to the master cylinder in the back here, and this in turn supplies the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage your trailer's brakes and stop the trailer. Now, this actuator here uses an acetyl copolymer lining, and that's between the inner slide tube and the outer case, so it provides a nice, smooth operation as the actuator telescopes in and out.
On this one you can see it has an adjustable center channel; it has three different mounting positions for your coupler. Now, the coupler is not included. The couplers we do sell separately on our website. The channel height on this one is gonna be right at eight inches. The width, which will be measured inside to inside, is three inches.
And this is a heavy duty steel construction, has a nice primed finish to it. Also, in the very back, we mentioned the master cylinder, they use a composite master cylinder, which is very durable and efficient; it's a glass-reinforced nylon construction, so it'll resist rust and corrosion, and it provides a large reservoir to provide increased capacity for the brake fluid. The very top here where you put your brake fluid in, you can see it uses an automotive style diaphragm cap; creates a completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of the brake fluid. Now, the breakaway cable right up here you can see is included, and the hook, and this is required by law, and the reason is is, this will prevent a trailer runaway situation, and the way it does that is, you take your hook, has a keeper on it, this will attach to your tow vehicle, and with it attached to the tow vehicle, in the instance of if this comes disconnected from your tow vehicle, it will pull this cable, which would activate this lever, and that lever will supply the necessary hydraulic pressure back here in the master cylinder to engage your trailer's brakes and then stop the trailer in a runaway situation. So, again, it is included, and it is required by law.
Now, this is a bolt-on or weld-on installation, it does mount to a straight three-inch wide trailer tongue, and this part is made in the USA. A few specs on this. This is for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes. Gross towing weight capacity is 12,500 pounds, maximum tongue weight of 1,250 pounds. This does go by the model number of DA10.
And one last note I do wanna mention is, because this actuator does not include a reverse lockout, it is recommended that you equip your trailer with either a reverse lockout solenoid that would install right here, or to use free backing brakes on your trailer so that you can drive in reverse without the actuator triggering your trailer's brakes. But that should do it for the review on this Demco eight-inch adjustable center channel hydraulic drum brake actuator with the 12,500-pound gross towing weight capacity.
Ratings & Reviews
I purchased the 20k lbs surge brake.So far really good. Heavy duty.
Thanks you! a great experience with the ordering and receiving my parts that I needed. I would recommend Etrailer.com to anyone needing competitively priced and quality parts fast.
Etrailer is the best store for parts.best prices,fast deliver,on time and safe,300 per cent hapy.the etrailer be mi store for ever.
Really happy with customer service and flexibility with shipping to Hawaii.
I think the demco actuator is grate
excellent quality, unbelievable delivery time.
Excellent product,service and price. I was notified at every stage where my item was on its journey without contacting etrailer other than placing my order. They have their "stuff " together.
Package wasn't the greatest, it was a heavy item and should have been packaged a little better, box was torn and one of the clips that holds the pins in place was missing
We're replacing old brake units on our fleet of tank trailers. These Demco actuators have a longer adjustment channel than the ones we could get locally, and they were cheaper. Great customer service also!
It does the Job. I tried to talk them in to going with an electric over hydraulic Disc system but the did not want to spend the money with this set up at least is has some brakes.
It worked out very well for us and was very affordable.
Anna did a GREAT job on getting the trailer parts I needed give her a raise :-)
Great quality excellent service
The product delivered was exactly what we ordered. It arrived within only a few days and the package showed up with zero damage. We will continue to order from eTrailer. 5 Stars!!
Quality is great and exactly what I was looking for in a Brake Actuator. Customer service was super friendly and online invoice and tracking was speedy and easy to obtain! Highly recommend.
Worked perfect, exactly as described.
A perfect fit and it took paint beautifully. Upon brake testing, it performed as an OEM! Customer Service was extraordinary.
Welded it together, haven't used it yet.
I am building a very strong utility trailer for a Mustang Skid Steer- I'm a welder by many years- and strong matters. I will put a 'dully' axel under a dump truck body with hydraulic breaks- thus you product was a perfect fit- strong, functional and safe. Thank you for your design intelligence and craftsmanship. I am set up for two trucks- a big one, Mack B-81SX, and a pick-up.
Well built just replaced a old unit that been sitting for years and had been jackknifed
Great service, Thanks Bill D. Fast service parts are great, Lots of work to do.
we received in the hitch, we installed it without a problem.
the tech tried to beleed the brakes.
the tech was having problems with the master cylinder sticking.
we ordered in a replacement master cylinder in. after the new master cylinder was installed the tech bled the brakes with no issue. we received the hitch in with a bad master cylinder
Info for this part was:
At etrailer we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.