This Demco actuator uses a surge-type hydraulic design that automatically applies your trailer’s brakes when the tow vehicle slows down. With a gross towing weight of 12,500 lbs and a maximum tongue weight of 1,250 lbs, it’s built to handle heavy loads with confidence. The composite master cylinder uses glass-reinforced nylon, which resists rust and corrosion while keeping operation smooth and efficient. The acetal copolymer lining inside the actuator keeps movement steady as it telescopes in and out for consistent braking on every stop.
The 12" adjustable channel-down design makes it easy to match up your trailer height. You can mount different coupler attachments (sold separately) in one of five positions, so you can line up your trailer level with the hitch setup you’re using. Because the channel points downward, it provides extra drop—handy when you’re adjusting for taller trailers or unique setups that need a lower coupler position.
This actuator comes with a primed finish, ready for painting or coating to match the trailer and add protection against wear. Inside, the large reservoir gives more capacity for brake fluid, cutting down on maintenance. An automotive-style diaphragm cap seals the system to help keep out contaminants, while the heavy-duty steel body is tough enough for demanding use on farm or construction trailers.
The actuator fits a 3"-wide straight tongue and can be mounted with either bolts or welds. For bolt-on setups, it uses 1/2" x 4-1/2" Grade-5 bolts (not included). Whether you’re outfitting a new trailer or upgrading an older one, you can pick the mounting method that suits your build best.
A built-in breakaway system adds peace of mind if the trailer ever disconnects while towing. It automatically engages the brakes to bring the trailer to a stop, helping prevent runaway damage and keeping your setup safer when hauling heavy gear.
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 this Demco 12 inch adjustable channel down hydraulic drum break 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 pushes your trailer toward the rear of your vehicle. So with a surge brake system then this actuator is triggered as your trailer moves forward once your tow vehicle starts to slow down. And when this happens, this actuator will then contract meaning this inner slide will go into the outer case and it applies a force to the master cylinder back here.
And then this in turn supplies the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage your trailers brakes. This does use an acetal co-polymer lining between the inner slide and the outer case, provides a nice smooth operation as your actuator telescopes in and out. We mentioned this has an adjustable channel, offers five different mounting positions for your coupler to be installed in. Now the coupler's not included. We do sell that separately.
And we mentioned this is a channel down design. You can see most of the channels going downwards and it allows for a greater drop for tall trailers. The channel height, if we put a ruler on it, right at, oops, there we go, right at 12 inches tall. The channel width, which is measured inside, the inside is three inches wide. And this is a heavy duty steel construction.
Has a nice prime finish on it. A master cylinder we mentioned that's in the back here. This is a composite master cylinder. It's durable and efficient. It's a glass reinforced nylon construction so it does resist rust and corrosion and it offers a large reservoir to provide increased capacity for the brake fluid.
The very top here where you put your brake fluid in offers an automotive style diaphragm cap which creates a completely enclosed system, helps prevent contamination of your break fluid. Right up here you notice it does include this breakaway cable with the hook attached. And basically this is required by law. And the reason it is is this prevents a trailer runaway situation. So what happens is when you hook your trailer up to your tow vehicle, you also take this hook with the latch on it and hook this to your tow vehicle. And what this does, if by chance your trailer would come disconnected from your tow vehicle, it would pull this cable which would activate the lever which again would apply pressure back here in the master cylinder and applies the trailer brakes. So it does prevent a trailer runaway situation. And as I mentioned, it is required by law to be used. Now this is a bolt on. Right down here you can see where it will either bolt on or it can be welded on. 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 breaks, gross towing weight capacity of 12,500 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 1,250 pounds. This does also go by the model number of DA 10 and one last note I do wanna mention, because this actuator does not have a reverse lockout installed on it, it is recommended that you equip your trailer with a reverse lockout solenoid that would screw in right back here, or to have free backing brakes on the trailer so that you can 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 channel down hydraulic drum brake actuator.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
93% were satisfied with this product
7% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Heavy duty steel, quality product. Thank you
Great customer service. Product arrived lightning fast! We would buy again. Thanks!
Very nice working with you guys. Timely response and delivery. Thank you
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.
Really happy with customer service and flexibility with shipping to Hawaii.
I think the demco actuator is grate
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.
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
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.
excellent quality, unbelievable delivery time.
Worked perfect, exactly as described.
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