This Demco DA10 actuator is made for serious towing. With a 12,500 lb gross towing weight and a 1,250 lb maximum tongue weight, it delivers dependable braking power for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes. The surge-type design automatically activates the brakes when your tow vehicle slows, so you get reliable stopping force without electrical connections. The heavy-duty steel body and primed finish make it ready to weld on and paint to match your trailer once installed.
The built-in 8" adjustable channel gives you flexibility when setting up your coupler. It has three mounting positions that let you fine-tune the height for a level trailer setup. Whether you’re using a standard ball coupler, lunette ring, or clevis attachment (all sold separately), the channel allows a custom fit that keeps your trailer balanced and easy to handle.
The composite master cylinder is made from glass-reinforced nylon, so it resists rust and corrosion that can shorten the life of metal parts. Inside, the large brake fluid reservoir provides extra capacity, reducing refills, while the automotive-style diaphragm cap keeps the fluid sealed from dirt and moisture. That design helps maintain smooth hydraulic pressure for consistent braking over time.
An acetal copolymer liner minimizes friction as the actuator telescopes in and out during braking. That smooth action makes each stop feel controlled and steady instead of jerky. It’s a mechanical system that just works — no electronics required — and stays consistent trip after trip.
For extra peace of mind, a built-in breakaway lever engages your trailer’s brakes if it ever disconnects from the tow vehicle. The safety cable uses a snap hook for a secure link to the hitch, so it’s always ready when you need it most. This detail adds another layer of protection to an already rugged and well-built actuator system.
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 can take a look at the Demco eight inch adjustable channel center hydraulic drum brake actuator. Has a 12,500 pound gross towing weight capacity and is in a nice prime finish. 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 occurs and the momentum will push your trailer toward the rear of your vehicle. So with this surge brake system, this actuator is then triggered as your trailer moves forward once the tow vehicle starts to slow down.
So when this happens, the actuator inside portion right here will contract, which will apply force to the master cylinder in the back here. And this in turn is what supplies the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage your trailer's brakes. Now this uses an acetal copolymer lining around the inner slide and the outer case, provides a nice smooth operation as the actuator will telescope in and out. This one we mentioned is an adjustable channel design, has three different mounting positions for your coupler. Now the coupler is not included.
We do sell those separately. As we mentioned, this is a channel center design which means if you look at it, this channel right here is centered when you compare it to this outer case, it's pretty much centered the same, equally up or down. Now the height on this channel we mentioned from the bottom to the top is eight inches. The inside width is approximately about three inches inside to inside. Now this is a heavy-duty steel construction, has a nice prime finish on it for better corrosion resistance.
We mentioned the master cylinder back here. It is a composite master cylinder which is very durable and efficient and uses a glass-reinforced nylon construction, resists rust and corrosion. Provides an nice large reservoir to provide increased capacity for your brake fluid. And at the top here, you notice it has the cap where you put your brake fluid in. It's an automotive style diaphragm cap, which creates completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of the brake fluid.
Right up at the very top here, it does include this breakaway cable with the hook on it. And this is included and it is required by law because it's designed to prevent a trailer runaway situation. Basically, when you hook your trailer up to your tow vehicle, you'll also hook this hook to it, and you'll have this cable that runs to this lever. So in the case, if your trailer ever comes detached from your tow vehicle, it would pull this cable which would activate that lever, which again would supply the pressure to the master cylinder back here and apply the brakes to a runaway situation. So again, it is required by law, so you do have to hook it up. Now this is a weld-on installation. It does mount to a straight three-inch-wide trailer tongue. This part is made in the USA. Application, again, this is for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes, gross towing weight capacity on this is 12,500 pounds, maximum tongue weight of 1,250 pounds. This does go by the model number of DA-10 and one last note I do wanna mention, if you notice in the back here, this actuator does not include a reverse lockout solenoid, which is usually installed to the master cylinder. So it is recommended that you either equip your trailer with the reverse lockout solenoid, which we do sell separately on our website, or to have free backing brakes on your trailer so that you can drive in reverse without the actuator triggering your trailer's brakes. But that's gonna do it for the review on this Demco eight-inch adjustable channel center hydraulic drum brake actuator with the 12,500 pound gross towing weight capacity.
Ratings & Reviews
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 worked out very well for us and was very affordable.
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.
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!!
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
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
Quick and easy!! Thank you .
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.
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.
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