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Dexter Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator w/ Drop - Drum - 2-5/16" Ball - Bolt On - 20,000 lbs
(42 reviews)
Price: $819.58
In Stock
Dexter
Dexter Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator w/ Drop - Drum - 2-5/16" Ball - Bolt On - 20,000 lbs
Part Number: T4042700
In Stock
$819.58
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- Reviews (42)
- Q & A (0)
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Dexter Brake Actuator - T4042700
Highlights
- Handles Heavy Loads Smoothly: Rated for 20,000 lbs GTW and 2,000 lbs tongue weight for secure towing.
- No Brake Controller Needed: Hydraulic surge action automatically syncs with your tow vehicle’s braking.
- Perfect for Wet Conditions: Zinc-plated steel resists rust and corrosion for long life around water.
- Built for Strength: Durable steel design resists bending in jackknife situations.
- Easy Mounting: Bolts onto a standard 3" channel tongue for quick, secure installation.
- Added Safety: Includes breakaway kit to engage brakes if the trailer disconnects.
Features to know about
Heavy Loads, Smooth Stops: 20,000-lb Surge Power
This hydraulic actuator delivers serious stopping muscle for trailers up to 20,000 lbs GTW and 2,000 lbs maximum tongue weight. The surge-type design automatically applies your drum brakes as momentum pushes the trailer forward during deceleration. Its telescoping roller setup keeps the movement straight and smooth, cutting down on resistance and helping your trailer come to a steady stop without jerking or binding.
Built Tough for Work and Water: Zinc-Plated Steel Protection
Corrosion is no match for the zinc-plated steel body. The coating holds up against wet and salty conditions while the heavy-duty steel construction stays strong under load. Even in tight turns or jackknife situations, the housing is built to resist bending so the actuator keeps working reliably season after season.
Straightforward Fit: 3" Channel Bolt-On Mount
Installing this actuator is simple thanks to its bolt-on design for a standard 3" wide channel tongue. The integrated 2-5/16" ball coupler has a 3" built-in drop that helps line up your trailer level behind your tow setup. Everything bolts up clean without welding or custom fabrication, making it a quick upgrade or replacement for existing drum-brake systems.
Ready for Safety: Built-In Breakaway Kit
A breakaway kit comes included so the trailer can brake itself if it ever disconnects while towing. The system ties directly into the actuator for reliable runaway protection without extra parts to source separately. It’s one of those critical safety details that keeps things controlled when it matters most.
Reliable in Reverse: Works with Free-Backing Brakes
Since this model doesn’t include a reverse lockout, it’s designed to pair with free-backing drum brakes. That setup lets you back your trailer up ramps or around corners without unwanted brake drag. It’s a straightforward way to keep reversing easy while maintaining solid forward braking performance.
Specs
Application
- Application: hydraulic drum brakes
Coupler
- Ball size: 2-5/16"
- Drop: 3"
Mounting
- Mounting: 3" wide channel tongue
Weight and Capacity
- Capacity: 20,000 lbs
- Maximum tongue weight: 2,000 lbs
Warranty
- Warranty: 1-Year warranty
068-116-00 Dexter Axle Model 20 Actuator with 2-5/16" Ball, Drop Coupler - Drum Brakes - Zinc
Replaces Titan 4042700
Customer Satisfaction Score:
89% were satisfied with this product
11% of customers were not satisfied
- Arrived Damaged
- Wrong item was ordered
Ratings & Reviews
4.7
42 reviews
by:
Arthea
06/19/2026
Perfect fit. Ty
by:
Joe
07/25/2018
Fast free Shipping...great communication...Thank you!!!
by:
Norman
09/22/2026
by:
Randal
03/21/2025
by:
Billy
08/17/2022
by:
G Lopez
11/13/2023
Item received with a broken grease fitting on the wet shoulder bolt. I salvaged the bolt from my old actuator used that in the new actuator.
The item was also assembled incorrectly. The emergency brake lever was installed so it did not connect with the plunger on the master cylinder. This makes it so you cannot 'pump' the breaks to bleed the brake system. I took it apart and corrected it.
Other than that it was a duplicate of the one i replaced on this 1999 trailer.
See the videos for more details.
The item was also assembled incorrectly. The emergency brake lever was installed so it did not connect with the plunger on the master cylinder. This makes it so you cannot 'pump' the breaks to bleed the brake system. I took it apart and corrected it.
Other than that it was a duplicate of the one i replaced on this 1999 trailer.
See the videos for more details.
by:
Ryan
08/15/2024
The actuator seems to be good quality and installed easily. Bleeding the brakes was an easy process. The product itself could benefit by having bigger holes for the locking pin. When the latch is closed, the end of the spring is in line with the locking pin path, which makes it difficult to remove the pin. The issue doesn't stop the use of a locking pin, it just makes it difficult to remove.
The only negative comment is that product was not securely packaged and showed up with a damaged box. Luckily there wasn't any damage to the Actuator, which is quite heavy for shipping.
The only negative comment is that product was not securely packaged and showed up with a damaged box. Luckily there wasn't any damage to the Actuator, which is quite heavy for shipping.
by:
Alanson
09/25/2020
Awesome exactly what I needed for replacement. The price; well the trailer hitch guy in town said he could order me the same thing for $790.00 plus $100.00 shipping cost and it would take three weeks to get here. Obviously he didn't get my business and and big thanks for a great product at a great price!
by:
Mark
03/22/2018
I ordered the Titan Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator to replace the rusted out old one on my boat trailer. The item I ordered showed up sooner than anticipated and was exactly as represented on the website.
I can't wait to install it and have the brakes on my boat trailer working again for many safe trips to the boat ramp.
I can't wait to install it and have the brakes on my boat trailer working again for many safe trips to the boat ramp.
by:
Frank B
04/26/2013
I had originally ordered just the replacement master cylinder for my actuator but after taking mine apart, there were way more parts that were needed to repar it. I called the service center and they were very helpful in cancelling the master cylinder order and guiding me to this assembly. It was in my hands in 3 days and in time to get the boat in the water.
by:
JAMES
07/22/2019
High-quality product easy install other than bleeding the system sure is nice when the trailer brakes work.
by:
Lazaro
03/23/2025
Great product, extremely easy installation.
by:
Stuart
11/05/2016
Outstanding product that works as advertised, replaced a surge brake system and the improvement was dramatic.
by:
Ryan
07/15/2015
Got this product had it before love them but the box was all torn up and the grease fitting was broken off the top roller probably no e trailer fault but ups
by:
Gary
05/10/2021
Fantastic actuator works great perfect fit for my trailer
by:
Donald
05/16/2021
They had exactly what I needed at a great price and quick free shipping!
by:
Ray L.
02/17/2011
this company a pleasure to deal with. Also the free shipping made your product stand out.
Thanks
Thanks
by:
Scott
03/24/2022
Glad I was able to find this Actuator. It is identical to the38 year old unit on the trailer I’m rebuilding. They work great.
by:
Scott
08/17/2023
Shawnee provided great information to help me get the right parts with tracking info
by:
Ben
10/04/2022
Hitch has to be in just the right place to come off the ball. Not as good of quality as the older same model I replaced. But it works well. Just finiky.
by:
Alan
08/09/2022
Product came on time and as described. After a while of use is still working properly and looks great
by:
Jeffrey
02/17/2019
Awesome product had it for yr now. Like it was brand new. Numerous trips to keys for sc not a flaw
by:
Ian
10/04/2022
Amazing service, best price on the internet, best shipping rate and fast shipping.
I live in British Columbia Canada and was told by local suppliers it would take 6 weeks to get one in. I received this in just over a week from the other side of the USA. AMAZING
I live in British Columbia Canada and was told by local suppliers it would take 6 weeks to get one in. I received this in just over a week from the other side of the USA. AMAZING
by:
Jeffery
11/28/2018
Great product! Cheaper to replace then rebuild.
by:
Ed B
01/10/2014
Used this to replace an existing unit that was rusting away. This product arrived quickly, in perfect condition and was easy to install.
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Show More Reviews
See what our Experts say about this Dexter Brake Actuator
- How to Identify Brake Assembly for Triple Axle Boat TrailerHi Scott; I don't have a way of knowing the exact brakes you need, but I can help you figure it out. Based on the 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern you have 3,500 lb - 6,000 lb axles. I would look on the trailer axles to see if you can find an axle tag to identify them. The capacity is probably listed. but if you don't see it the manufacturer can identify it using the serial number. Assuming you're looking for hydraulic drum brakes you can use the etrailer Hydraulic Trailer Brakes - Uni-Servo -...
view full answer... - Parts to Replace Hydraulic Brake System on a 2004 Magic Tilt TrailerWe can definitely get you started with parts for your Magic Tilt Trailer, but we will need some additional information to complete your parts list. We can start with a coupler. Since your boat trailer will not exceed 10,260 lbs, I recommend looking at a coupler like the Titan Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator for Disc Brakes, # T4750620. This coupler has a 3 inch drop like the coupler you referenced, but it has a 12,500 lb weight capacity which is closer to the weight of your trailer. Using...
view full answer...
- Master Cylinder Needed for the Titan Model 20 Actuator for Drum Brakes with Drop # T4042700We do carry the master cylinders for the Titan Model 20 Brake Actuators. If you have drum brakes, then you will want master cylinder # DX66FR. We also carry the master cylinder with the brackets as part # T2374600. If you have disc brakes, then you will want master cylinder # T4747100, or with the brackets, # T4749501042.
view full answer... - How to Determine if a Trailer Brake Actuator is for Drum or Disc BrakesIf the psi rating is listed on top of the actuator you can tell by that, or it may say drum or disc brakes on it. If the psi rating is there drum brake actuators put out up to 1000 psi. Disc brakes will put out up to 1600 psi. Otherwise they will look identical. The only other way to tell without a part number would be the fitting at the back of the master cylinder. On the inside of the fitting there will be a check valve, a narrower opening, indicating a drum brake actuator. But without...
view full answer... - Disc Master Cylinder and Reverse Lock Out Recommendation for Titan Model 20 ActuatorTo convert your Model 20 actuator to work with disc brakes only requires the master cylinder to be changed to the part # T4749501042. Then for an electric reverse lock out solenoid all you need is the part # T4748800 and your set.
view full answer... - Items Needed to Rebuild Boat Trailer Hydraulic Drum Braking SystemIt sounds like you have a great winter-season project on your hands! Based on your description of the condition of the existing trailer hydraulic drum braking system it sounds like you'll be replacing just about everything. When in doubt, swap it out. A good starting point for your project is the linked article on hydraulic drum brakes. This article covers the process of installing drum brakes from scratch but it will still give you all of the considerations to keep in mind when re-building...
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Do you have a question about this Brake Actuator?
Info for this part was:
Written by:
Lindsey S
Expert Research:
Michael H
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Expert Research:
John H
Installed by:
Jeff D
Updated by:
Adele M
Updated by:
Wilson B
Updated by:
Hannah L
Updated by:
Michael B
Updated by:
Manda E
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Andrew N.
10/12/2022
It sounds like you are having trouble getting the coupler to release the ball. I would make sure you are applying a small amount of grease to the hitch ball prior to coupling the trailer, such as with White Grease Hitch Ball Lube # 58117.