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The 12" adjustable channel gives you room to set things up the way you want. With 5 different mounting positions, it’s easy to line up your coupler so the trailer stays level. The channel works with a standard ball coupler, a lunette ring, or a clevis attachment (sold separately), making it flexible for different setups and applications.
The hydraulic system uses a composite master cylinder made from glass-reinforced nylon that resists rust and corrosion. The large reservoir keeps more brake fluid on hand, which helps prevent the system from running dry. Its automotive-style diaphragm cap seals the system completely to help keep contaminants out of the fluid.
Inside the actuator, an acetal copolymer lining keeps the moving parts gliding smoothly as it telescopes in and out. That smooth action translates into steadier braking response and less wear over time when towing heavy loads up to 12,500 lbs.
This actuator comes primed and ready to weld or bolt onto a 3" straight trailer tongue. The heavy-duty steel housing gives it strength for big jobs, while the primed surface is ready for paint so you can match it to your trailer and protect it from corrosion down the road.
If the trailer ever disconnects during travel, the built-in breakaway lever automatically activates the brakes. The safety cable’s snap hook keeps a solid link to the hitch so the system reacts instantly if needed—an extra layer of peace of mind when hauling.
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 I'm gonna take a look at the Demco 12 inch Adjustable Center Channel Hydraulic Drum Brake Actuator. Has a 12,500 pound gross towing weight capacity and has a nice prime finish to it. Now this hydraulic actuator will activate your trailer's 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. And with a surge brake system, this actuator is triggered as your trailer moves forward once the tow vehicle starts to slow down.
And basically when this happens, the inner slide right up here of the actuator will contract and applies force to the master cylinder in the back here. And then this in turn supplies the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage the trailer's brakes and stop the trailer. Now this one uses an acetal copolymer lining between the inner slide tube and the outer case. And that provides a nice smooth operation as the actuator will telescope in and out. This one is an adjustable center channel, has five different mounting positions for your coupler.
Now the coupler's not included. We do sell that separately on our website. Just to give you a few dimensions on the channel itself. The height, 12 inches tall. And the width that should be measured inside to inside, three inches.
This is a heavy-duty steel construction, has a nice prime finish to it. And in the very back here we mentioned the master cylinder. It is a composite master cylinder, which is durable and efficient. It's a glass-reinforced nylon construction to resist rust and corrosion. And it has a large reservoir to provide increased capacity for your brake fluid.
At the top here, you notice has the automotive-style diaphragm cap, which creates a completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of the brake fluid. Now the breakaway cable, which is this here, and the hook that's attached to it, this is all included and it is required by law because it does prevent a trailer runaway situation. And what happens with this is you take this hook with the keeper on it and this gets attached to your tow vehicle. And then what happens if by chance this happens to detach from your tow vehicle, it would pull on this cable, which would activate this lever, which would then apply force to the master cylinder back here and prevent a trailer runaway situation. So again, this is required by law and it is included. Now, this is a weld-on installation. It does designed to mount to a straight, three-inch wide trailer tongue. This part is made in the USA. Application, it's for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes. Again, the gross towing weight capacity is 12,500 pounds. Maximum tongue weight capacity of 1,250 pounds. This does go by the model number of D-A-10. And one note I do wanna mention on this actuator, because it does not include a reverse lockout, it is recommended that you equip this trailer with either a reverse lockout solenoid, that will attach right back here to the master cylinder. Or to have Free-Backing brakes on your trailer, so that you could drive in reverse without this actuator triggering your trailer's brakes. But that should do it for the review on this Demco 12 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 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 :-)
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.
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
Excellent quality replacement part the fit is perfect. Replacing a damaged original piece of equipment.
Great quality excellent service
Well built just replaced a old unit that been sitting for years and had been jackknifed
Info for this part was:
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Jeff M.
9/3/2025
No problems works as it should