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This actuator is built to handle serious weight. With a 20,000-lb gross towing rating and up to 2,000-lb tongue weight, it’s made for heavy equipment and farm or construction trailers. The surge-type hydraulic design automatically applies the trailer brakes when the tow vehicle slows down, so you get steady, proportional stopping power without any electrical hookup or controller needed.
The 12" adjustable channel gives you five mounting positions to match different couplers or setups. Whether you’re using a standard ball coupler, lunette ring, or clevis attachment (each sold separately), you can set your height and keep your trailer level. The bolt holes are spaced 2" apart, and the channel fits a straight 3"-wide tongue for solid alignment and easy installation.
The composite master cylinder is made from glass-reinforced nylon, so it won’t rust or corrode like metal cylinders can. The large fluid reservoir holds more brake fluid for consistent braking and fewer refills on long hauls. An automotive-style diaphragm cap seals out dirt and moisture to keep the brake fluid clean and the system performing smoothly every time you stop.
The heavy-duty steel body comes primed and ready to paint or finish the way you want it. It can be bolted on with 1/2" x 4-1/2" Grade-5 bolts (not included) or welded directly to your trailer tongue. The primed surface makes it easier to match your trailer’s finish while protecting against rust during setup.
If the trailer ever disconnects from the hitch, the built-in breakaway system steps in to apply the brakes automatically. It’s a simple layer of protection that keeps things steady when it matters most, giving you confidence every time you hook up and roll out.
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 Demco 12 inch adjustable Center channel hydraulic drum brake actuator has a 20,000 pound gross towing weight capacity and 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 the trailer toward the rear of your vehicle. And with a surge brake system this actuator is then triggered as your trailer moves forward. Once your tow vehicle starts to slow down and when this happens, this inner slide portion of the actuator will contract and it applies force to the master cylinder back here, which will then in turn supply the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage the trailer's brakes and stop the trailer.
This actuator here has a nice acetal co polymer lining and that's between the inner slide tube and the outer case provides a nice smooth operation as the actuator telescopes in and out. The adjustable channel up front here does have five different mounting positions for your coupler. Now the coupler is not included. We do sell that separately on a website. To give you an idea of the measurements here, the height of the channel out up here, it's gonna be 12 inches tall.
The width, which will be measured inside the inside is gonna be right at three inches. And this is a heavy duty steel construction has a nice prime finish to it. The very back here you have your composite master cylinder which is durable and efficient. It does use glass reinforced nylon construction helps resist rusting corrosion and it has a very large reservoir which provides increased capacity for the break fluid. And if you notice on the top here, it uses an automotive style diaphragm cap, which will create a completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of the brake fluid.
Now the breakaway cable and hook right here, it is included and it is required by law to you have a breakaway cable. And the way that works, basically what it's gonna do is prevent a trailer runaway situation. So your hook here will attach to your tow vehicle. So when you're towing, if by chance your trailer would come detached, it would pull on this cable which would move the lever this way. And then that would supply the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage the trailer's brakes and stop a runaway situation.
So it is included and it is required by law. Now the, this is a bolt on or a weld on installation. It does mount to a straight three-inch wide trailer tongue. It is made in the USA. Application, again, this is for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes gross towing weight capacity, 20,000 pounds maximum tongue weight, 2000 pounds. This does go by the model number of DA 20. And one last note I do wanna mention to you is because this actuator does not include a reverse lockout on the back here, it is recommended that you equip the trailer with either a reverse lockout solenoid which you'll install right here 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 of this Demco 12 inch adjustable center channel hydraulic drum brake actuator with the 20,000 pound gross towing weight capacity.
Ratings & Reviews
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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
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
I think the demco actuator is grate
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
Do you have a question about this Brake Actuator?
Info for this part was:
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Victoria H.
11/19/2024
Hi Holger, this should've been packaged better. Let me make this right for you.