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The EZ-Latch coupler on this actuator takes the guesswork out of connecting to your 2-5/16" hitch ball. Just lower your trailer onto the ball and the latch snaps into place automatically—you’ll hear the metallic *clink* when it’s locked down tight. The low-profile composite handle is tough and resists bending or breaking, and the 4" built-in drop helps line up your trailer with your tow height so you don’t have to mess with extra adapters.
Inside the steel housing, the moving parts glide on a heavy-duty acetal copolymer liner that’s self-lubricating for long life and quiet operation. This design keeps the actuator telescoping smoothly as it compresses under braking and extends again when you pull away, giving your disc brakes consistent pressure without jerking or chatter. It’s built for steady, reliable braking that holds up over years of towing.
Backing a loaded trailer uphill or into tight spots is simpler with the built-in electric reverse lockout. It connects to your reverse light circuit through a 5-pin, 6-pin, or 7-pole plug so when you shift into reverse, the solenoid automatically stops hydraulic pressure to your brakes. There’s no manual pin to fuss with—just back up smoothly without wheel lockup.
The entire actuator is zinc-plated inside and out for rust resistance with a 200-hour salt spray rating, making it ideal for use around water or road salt. A heavy-duty aluminum master cylinder adds strength without corrosion, while the composite latch handle and internal components resist wear from years of exposure. Bolt it to a 3" wide trailer tongue using 1/2" x 4-1/2" Grade-5 bolts (hardware not included) and you’ve got a setup rated for 12,500 lbs GTW and 1,250 lbs maximum tongue weight that’s ready for serious work.
The included breakaway cable with snap hook is built right into the actuator housing. If the trailer ever separates from your hitch, it automatically pulls to engage the brakes and bring everything to a stop. It’s a simple safeguard that adds peace of mind every time you tow.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
96% were satisfied with this product
4% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Bolted right up exactly like the old one, bled the brakes, hooked up 2 wires save time & $ compared to the original one which was b/o till November. Just haven't found a place to grease it yet
It installed easily, fixed my problem, and works well. However, it's nearly inconceivable that it doesn't have a mechanical lockout built in. Since I prefer to maneuver my boat at home with the tractor, I will be fabricating a mechanical lockout - probably by pinning the large hole near the back of the movable portion and fabricating a steel spacer to wedge in the gap to the stationary housing. It will need to wedge in pretty tight since the total tongue movement is only about about 3/8".
Great product but FYI, it is not a direct replacement for the comparable TITAN actuator.
Your brake line may be a few inches too short as mine was.
Super fast shipping!
Works great!! Thank you
Would like a manual with the actuator to insure my correct install.
Very fast shipping. Good price and sales help! Thanks
John R.
9/30/2022
Great !!
Customer service was very good. Excellent.
shipping info was accurate and the suggestion to try a product (actuator ) in stock sped up my getting the part to the mechanic who is going to install in the next couple of days.
Thanks Warren
Great product and quick delivery
Experience with Etrailer was great. They sent the part that I ordered and it was not damaged which was a plus. The actuator has been working great since then. I hope to get several years of service from this actuator without any issues.
Thank you Etrailer!
Happy Customer: Gus Rodriguez
Prior to ordering, I was concerned about the length of the brake. Length end to end was provided, but I would have liked mounting area length (8 1/4"), and length behind the mounting (~11 1/4"). Communication was great and they kept me informed.
John
4/24/2023
I really like this hitch. Even when there is a lot of pressure on the hitch, I have no problem getting it off the ball. With the old hitch it would typically be a struggle to get disconnected.
***BEWARE*** The brake actuator (complete tongue module assembly) was a nightmare to bleed brake system and after less than one year of installation the back up disengage piston exploded as I backed up for refueling the boat sending brake fluid all over my Ram tailgate destroying the paint job!!!
Many emails were sent to etrailer without any answer. Not happy with purchase at all. My boat trailer is now unusable and no reply’s from Etrailer.
Nick S.
9/15/2025
I am sorry to hear about your experience with us and the actuator. I will have someone from our Customer Service team reach out and see if there is something we can do to help you out with this issue.
I didn't give all five stars because Demco has changed the design of the master cylinder, again! My first hitch from 2009 had a cast iron (I think) master cylinder casting which was very strong. Then they went to cast aluminum when the original was replaced in 2018. When I lost brake fluid during two different trips to the lake because of broken brake lines, it resulted in not handling the pounding when the hitch retracted on braking and the master cylinder cracked. The first two hitch attachments of the master cylinder to the underside of the hitch was via "blind" hole drillings and threaded so that it wasn't exposed to the brake fluid reservoir. This most recent design now has attachment holes drilled all the way through (probably to decrease production costs) and a rubber seal that mates up to the underside of the hitch. The bolts were coated with a sealant but I had to remove two of them to facilitate using my pressure bleeder thus causing the brake fluid to weep out until having to reseal them with silicone seal. I wish they had kept the blind hole drillings and cast iron instead of counting on thread sealant and a rubber gasket...!!!
The actuator itself has been operating flawlessly but as previously documented via emails, the backup solenoid failed on the first usage (i.e., wouldn't release the brake fluid pressure when energized). I had to swap out my old solenoid and reuse it so that the actuator was fully functional. It seems that cheaper solenoids are prone to failure and are being installed on new actuators. I disassembled the failed solenoid, connected the solenoid to a 12.5 VDC power source, and found that the electromagnet wasn't strong enough to lift the valve plunger upon energizing when pressurized by brake fluid. I would suggest that the purchasing department return back to the older style, more reliable solenoids. That is why I only gave three stars on this review.
Easy ordering online, prompt shipping and delivery. No issues at all. We will order from Etrailer again when parts are required.
Thanks
Mitchell
9/28/2020
The brake actuator works as it should. The mounting points matched up perfectly with the old original unit.
Works ok. The reverse actuator lockout is a bit iffy and heavily depends on good ground connection. Using the trailer itself as ground wasn’t sufficient, so I had to splice it to a dedicated ground wire. No manual bypass like other brands.
Packaging of the product was very poor and the packaging arrived wide-open at my house with missing hardware. I emailed back Etrailer and I have yet to receive a response a week later.
Mike L.
5/21/2026
If you're speaking of the 1/2" x 4-1/2" Grade-5 bolts used to mount the coupler to the trailer tongue, they aren't included. You'll want to source those from your favorite hardware store.
The hitch was replacing a 18 year old hitch that had rusted out. It fit the existing holes without having to drill them out. I'm restoring a 19 year old Grady White 232 Golfstream. I'm looking forward to seeing how well the breaking system works.
Good price and in time delivery.
Found better pricing here, than any other place.
Works great and even lined up with existing holes on my trailer.
Great quality ,service,easy installation and fast shipping.
Quality built unit that dropped for a perfect fit. Could not have been easier!
Haven't installed yet, but superfast shipping! Love the features of the dropping on the ball with the hitch closed, and the addition of the solenoid lockout for reverse. This will replace the Titan 10 on my trailer now. Very happy with the quality of the unit. Joy was very helpful in the ordering process. Thanks
After finishing my 4th and final boat trailer I purchased the hydraulic break actuator, Demco,12,500 lb. for 200.00+ cheaper than I could find anywhere, the etrailer staff helped with advise and follow-up; exceptional service.
51 years of commercial diving was all I work to restore now @ 80, but the spirit of the sport divers we work with, like this company, keeps me 'inspired', and I hope this inspires you too.
Brooke M.
7/10/2025
Consider me inspired! You've redone 4 trailers? I hope when I am 80 I'll be doing amazing stuff still, like you! What sorts of jobs did you work on as a professional diver?
Do you have a question about this Brake Actuator?
Info for this part was:
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Gwendolyn Y.
10/18/2024
Hey Robert! I have the instructions linked for ya.
Helpful Links
https://cdn.demco-products.com/documents/bh20022.pdf