The 8" adjustable channel gives you three mounting positions so you can fine-tune the coupler height and keep your trailer level. The channel-up design adds extra rise, which helps when you’re working with low trailers or taller tow setups. You can mount a standard ball coupler, lunette ring, or clevis attachment (each sold separately) and get the fit you need without guesswork.
This surge-type actuator automatically applies your trailer’s hydraulic drum brakes whenever the tow vehicle slows down. As the trailer moves forward, the actuator telescopes smoothly to pressurize the master cylinder and deliver steady braking power. It’s rated for up to 8,000 lbs gross towing weight and 800 lbs maximum tongue weight, giving dependable braking for heavy hauls.
The composite master cylinder uses glass-reinforced nylon to stand up to rust and corrosion. Its large reservoir carries more brake fluid, reducing refill needs and helping maintain consistent pressure on long trips. The automotive-style diaphragm cap seals out moisture and debris, keeping the system clean and the braking response reliable over time.
The heavy-duty steel construction is primed and ready for welding onto a 3" straight tongue. Since it’s unpainted, you can weld it in place without worrying about damaging a finish, then paint it to match your trailer once installed. The result is a solid, permanent mount built for tough farm or construction use.
A built-in breakaway setup helps stop your trailer if it ever disconnects from the tow vehicle. It engages automatically when pulled, using the same smooth hydraulic motion that powers your brakes during normal towing. That extra protection gives peace of mind every time you head out with a load.
Because this actuator does not include a reverse lockout, it is recommended that you equip your trailer with free-backing brakes so that you can drive in reverse without the actuator triggering your trailer's brakes.
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 eight-inch adjustable channel up hydraulic drum brake actuator. Has an 8,000 pound gross towing weight capacity and a nice primed 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. So with the surge brake system, the actuator is then triggered as your trailer moves forward once your tow vehicle starts to slow down, and when this happens, the inner slide portion of this actuator will contract into the outer case and it applies force to the master cylinder in the back here.
This in turn will supply the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage your trailer's brakes. This does use an acetal copolymer lining around the inside here between the inner slide and the outer case, so it provides a nice smooth operation as the actuator telescopes in and out. We mentioned it's an adjustable channel, has three different mounting positions for your coupler. Now the coupler is not included. We do sell those separately on our website.
We mentioned it's a channel-up design. You can see the adjustable channel is sticking more up and that allows for a greater rise for any low-riding trailers. Channel height on this, if we put a ruler on it, eight inches tall, channel width, which is measured inside to inside, three inches wide. This is a heavy-duty steel construction, has a nice primed finish to it. We mentioned the master cylinder back here.
It is a composite master cylinder which is durable and efficient. It's a glass-reinforced nylon construction, resists rust and corrosion, and it offers a large reservoir, which provides increased capacity for your brake fluid. The very top here, it has an automotive-style diaphragm cap, which creates a completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of your brake fluid. The very top right here, if you notice, it does include this breakaway cable and the hook with the latch, and this is required by law because it does prevent a trailer runaway situation. Basically what you do with this cable is when you hook your trailer up to your tow vehicle, then you take your hook with the latch, hook this to your tow vehicle also.
So with that hooked to your tow vehicle, if by chance this ever comes detached from your tow vehicle, it'll pull that cable which will activate the lever, which again applies the pressure to the master cylinder back here and it engages your trailer's brakes. Again, this breakaway kit cable is included and it is required by law. Go ahead and hook that up, keep it out of the way. Oops. There we go. Now this is a weld-on installation. It is designed to mount to a straight three-inch wide trailer tongue. This part is made in the U.S.A. A few specs on this, the application, this is for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes, gross towing weight capacity again is 8,000 pounds, maximum tongue weight of 800 pounds. This does go by a model number of DA 91. One last note I do wanna mention on this. If you look at the back here, this actuator does not include a reverse lockout on the back here, and it is recommended that you either equip it with a reverse lockout solenoid, which will screw right into the back right here, or that you 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 up hydraulic drum brake actuator with the 8,000 pound gross towing weight capacity in a primed finish.
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.
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 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.
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
It is mounted in process of bleeding brakes. It looks good on the trailer.
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