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  1. Trailer Brakes
  2. Dexter
  3. Electric Drum Brakes
  4. 7000 lbs Axle
  5. 12 x 2 Inch Drum
  6. 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
  7. 15 Inch Wheel
  8. 16 Inch Wheel
Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs
Dexter

Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs

Part Number: 23-180-181
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$190.85
Trailer Brakes
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Trailer Brakes 23-180-181 - 12 x 2 Inch Drum - Dexter
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Whether you're replacing your trailer brakes or installing some on a new brake axle, these are easy to work with from start to stop. 12" x 2" Assemblies fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. 5 bolt pattern backing plate. Made in the USA. Great Prices for the best trailer brakes from Dexter. Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs part number 23-180-181 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Dexter Trailer Brakes - 23-180-181

  • Electric Drum Brakes
  • 7000 lbs Axle
  • 12 x 2 Inch Drum
  • 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
  • 15 Inch Wheel
  • 16 Inch Wheel
  • Standard Grade
  • Manual Adjust
  • Dexter

Whether you're replacing your trailer brakes or installing some on a new brake axle, these are easy to work with from start to stop. 12" x 2" Assemblies fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. 5 bolt pattern backing plate. Made in the USA.


Features:

  • Easier to install and gives you more control than hydraulic brakes
    • Requires only an electric brake controller (sold separately) - no actuator or hydraulic lines needed
  • Periodic manual adjustment required
    • Can be done in minutes
  • Long-lasting brake pads offer excellent braking torque
    • Fully bonded to shoes for more consistent braking compared to riveted pads
  • Adjuster plugs (included) protect internal components from dirt, grime, and road debris
  • Left-hand (driver's-side) and right-hand (passenger's-side) brake assemblies included
    • Includes mounting nuts (bolts sold separately)
  • Made in the USA


Specs:

  • Application: most standard hub-and-drum assemblies, including etrailer, Dexter, and Lippert (LCI)
  • Dimensions: 12" diameter x 2" wide
  • Mounting flange bolt pattern: 5 bolt
  • Wheel size: 14-1/2", 15" or 16"
  • Axle rating: 7,000 lbs
  • Limited 5-year warranty


Quick Tip: There's really not a whole lot to getting new drum brakes. If you've confirmed that all of the specs listed above line up with what you need for your trailer, you can be pretty sure these will work for you.


How to Manually Adjust Trailer Brakes

The more miles you put on your trailer, the more your brake pads will wear down. As they lose contact with the drum, stopping distances get longer and longer. To keep your brakes working great, it's important to adjust them pretty routinely. For this job, grab a floor jack and either a brake adjustment tool (sold separately) or just a standard flathead screwdriver.


Jack up your trailer enough to get the wheel(s) off the ground. Remove the adjuster plugs from the backing plate on the brake, and insert the flat end of the tool through the back of the assembly.


Screenshot from an instruction video shows how to manually adjust the the alignment on a drum brake

Push in on the star gear and lift it up. Keep doing this until the brake pads catch on your drum. When you can't spin your wheel by hand anymore, back the gear off by about 10 clicks by pushing down on the star gear. Does the wheel now spin freely (even if it sounds like the brake pads drag slightly on the drum)? Great! Then you're all done with that one and ready to adjust the rest.


How to Break In New Brakes

After you get these brakes installed and adjusted, you'll need to break them in. First, find a long stretch of road or a big, empty parking lot. Once you're there, set your brake controller to its maximum setting and get moving. Speed up to about 40 mph and brake to slow to about 20 mph. Repeat this 15-30 times. The goal is to get the brake shoes and magnet properly seated into your drum. You'll know you've done that when it feels less jerky (and more consistent) each time you apply the brakes.


Note: The brakes will be very hot after doing this, so after every 10 stops you'll want to wait about 10 minutes to let the brakes cool off before continuing. If you don't, you might cook and crack the pad material.



23-180 Dexter Electric Brake Assembly - LH - Driver Side - 12" x 2" - Manual Adjust - 7,000 lbs

23-181 Dexter Electric Brake Assembly - RH - Passenger Side - 12" x 2" - Manual Adjust - 7,000 lbs




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Customer Reviews

Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs - 23-180-181

Average Customer Rating:  4.8 out of 5 stars   (1365 Customer Reviews)

Whether you're replacing your trailer brakes or installing some on a new brake axle, these are easy to work with from start to stop. 12" x 2" Assemblies fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. 5 bolt pattern backing plate. Made in the USA.

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See what our Experts say about this Dexter Trailer Brakes

  • What Is The Difference Between Dexter Electric Brakes 23-180-181 and 23-105-106?
    The difference between the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 and the # 23-105-106 you mentioned are the strength of the brake magnets. The # 23-180-181 was designed for 7000lb axles where the # 23-105-106 was designed for 6000lb axles so it has slightly weaker brake magnets. They are both 12" x 2" brakes so they are interchangeable, but you will want to match them to the weight rating of your axle to make sure you get adequate...
    view full answer...
  • Recommended Replacement Electric Trailer Brakes For 7000lb Dexter Axle
    I would be happy to help! Since your Dexter axle has a 7000lb rating you will need the Electric Brake Assemblies # 23-464-465 for self adjusting brakes, or # 23-180-181 for standard brakes that you will need to adjust on occasion. I recommended the self adjusting versions as there is nothing to have to manually adjust in the future, but they are a bit more expensive so it will come down to how much you are looking to spend. I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take...
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  • No Trailer Brakes on 2018 Voltage Toy Hauler After New Brake Install
    I really suggest you just take the trailer back to the dealer and have them fix the issue because the second you try to fix their mistake, the warranty for the work they performed goes out the window. That said, if the brakes are humming then that means you are getting power. If the brakes are getting power but not engaging then the most common cause of this after a fresh install is that they have not yet been adjusted. There is a star wheel on the back for adjusting the tension on the...
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  • Are The 23-180-181 Brake Compatible With The AKHD-655-6-EZ-K Hubs?
    Yes, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes # 23-180-181 will indeed be compatible with the Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # AKHD-655-6-EZ-K. The brake assemblies use the standard 12" x 2" brake shoes, and the hubs are designed to work with this same standard sized brake assembly.
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  • Replacement Self Adjusting Trailer Brakes for 023-467-00
    The Dexter Trailer Brake Assemblies 023-466-00 and 023-467-00 will cross-reference to our Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # 23-458-459.
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  • Hub & Drum And Dexter Electric Brakes For 2014 Heartland Gateway 3200RS 5th Wheel Trailer
    Yes, we can get your 2014 Heartland Gateway 3200RS 5th wheel trailer set up with the Dexter hub and drum and electric brakes. What you'll need is the following, and you can choose from either manually adjusting brakes or self-adjusting brakes: - Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # 8-219-4UC3 - Manual Adjust Brakes: Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 or - Self-Adjust Brakes: Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-464-465 The hub and drum comes with the bearings,...
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  • Replacement Components For Dexter Axle S/N 131049141
    Hey Christopher, Thanks for the axle tag info, it makes looking up the replacement parts so much easier. Your axles use the following components: Bearings # 14125A and # 25580 Grease Seal # RG06-070 Hubs/Drums # # 42866UC3-EZ Brake Assemblies # 23-180-181 If you need anything else just let me know and I'd be happy to help.
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  • Comparison of Quality and Weight Rating- etrailer Brand Versus Dexter Brand 12 x 2 Brake Assemblies
    Great question. The etrailer brand # AKEBRK-6 12x2 inch brake assemblies are designed for 5200-7000 lb axles, are manufactured overseas and would work perfectly well for your tandem 7K axle trailer. Dexter, on the other hand makes specific brake assemblies for a 5.2K, a 6K or a 7K axle. The brake assemblies are manufactured in the US and as expected, the quality would be a little better but that additional quality comes at an increased cost. For a 7K axle, you'd use # 23-180-181. If...
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  • Recommended Brake Shoes and Dust Cap for 7,000 lbs Axles
    I do if your 2021 Dutchman Voltage 3915 Toy Hauler has Dexter 7,000 lbs brake assemblies like item # 23-180-181. If you do not have Dexter 7,000 lbs brake assemblies I will need you to email me back part numbers of what you do have because these are manufacturer specific. To replace brake shoes on Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes item # 23-180-181 you will need the Replacement Shoe Kit for Dexter 12" x 2" Manual Adjust Electric Brake Assembly item # DX28FR. These will work for both the...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Brake Assembly For 5,200LB Al-KO Axle
    Yes, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 will fit the 5,200lb AL-KO axles. I recommend the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-458-459. This will allow the brakes to self adjust meaning less hassle for you adjusting brakes.
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  • Difference Between Brake Assemblies for 7,000 lb Axle
    The difference between Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Right Hand # 23-465 with Left Hand # 23-464 and the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Left and Right Hand Assemblies # 23-180-181 is that the former is self-adjusting while the latter is manually adjusting and will require Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes # W80630. There is an economy version of these as well: - Self-Adjusting: Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Left and Right Hand Assemblies # AKEBRK-7-SA -...
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  • Is Using Electric Brakes on a Boat Trailer Recommended
    You can indeed use electric brakes on a boat trailer. At one time it wasn't a recommended practice, but then the boat manufacturers started using electric brakes on trailers and found that it works fine. I would urge you to unplug the trailer before backing it into the water, and when pulling out allowing a few minutes to drain and dry out somewhat before plugging back in. The Dexter # 23-180-181 brake assemblies are meant for 7K axles using 12x2 inch brake assemblies. The assemblies...
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  • Replacement Brakes, Hub/Drum Assembly and Bearing Kit For 2019 Jayco North Point W/ Dexter Axles
    Your Dexter axle under your 2019 Jayco North Point 377RLBH will use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 for both the left and right brake assemblies. For your hub you will need the Dexter Trailer Hub & Drum # 42866UC3-EZ. This will include all new bearings, races, lug nuts, greases cap, castle nut, and a grease seal. We do have the Grease Seal # GS-2250DL or Bearing Kit # BK3-200 for your for your other hubs if they need replaced when you are replacing the brakes. I try...
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  • 7,000 lbs Electric Drum Brakes on a 5,200 lbs Axle
    Yes, you can use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181 on your 5,200 lbs axle so long as you have a 5 bolt flange like the one linked in the diagram below. These brakes fit a 12" x 2" drum. Another option is to use the Dexter Electric Brake Assembly for 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs item # 23-106-09 and the Left Hand item # 23-105-09 which fit both 4 Bolt or 5 Bolt Flanges.
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    Image 1 for
  • Torque For Installation of Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit 23-180-181
    According to Dexter, the torque should be between 25-50 ft. lbs. when installing the # 23-180-181. If you don't already have mounting hardware you'll need the Mounting Bolts and Hardware for 12" Brake Assemblies # BRKH12.
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  • Replacement Hub and Brake Assemblies for Dexter 8-219 Wheel Hubs
    You have some options with the 8-219 for replacement parts. These kits will include new brake hubs, bearings, races, seals, caps and wheel nuts. 1/2" Wheel Studs Grease Cap # 8-219-4UC3 1/2" Wheel Studs EZ-Lube Cap # 8-219-4UC3-EZ 1/2" Wheel Studs Oil Bath Hub # 8-219-9UC3 9/16" Wheel Studs Grease Cap # AKHD-865-7-1-K 9/16" Wheel Studs EZ-Lube Cap # 8-219-13UC3 5/8" Wheel Studs EZ-Lube Cap # 8-219-18UC3 The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 will require the brakes to be...
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  • Electric Brakes and Hub & Drum For Dexter 7,000 lb Axles
    We do have the exact electric trailer brakes as well as the replacement hub and drum you need for your Dexter 7,000 lb axles, with the replacements being the following parts: - Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 - Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # 42866UC3 These are 12" x 2" electric brakes and are the correct replacements for you, and will fit right in the replacement hubs. They are manually adjusting brakes, though...
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  • Can 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies be Used in 6k Trailer Axle Hub/Drums
    Yes, 7k trailer axle brake assemblies like # 23-180-181 will fit 6k axle hub/drums. They use the exact same dimensions and bolt patterns which allows that. The difference is the strength or sensitivity of the magnets in the assemblies. The 7k axles have a magnet that is more sensitive and will pull harder on the drums. This might seem like it would give you more stopping power but in reality a 6k assembly set would just as easily lock up the brakes so there is no more stopping power gained....
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  • Product Comparison Of The K23-181-00 And K23-105-00
    The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit w/ Parking Brakes # K23-086-087-00 is 10" x 2-1/4" is a driver and passenger side brake assembly that fits 3,500-lb axles. Mounting flanges have a 4-bolt pattern. Built-in levers work with manual parking brake. Fit 14" to 15" wheels. The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12 # 23-180-181 is 12" x 2" is a driver and passenger side brake assembly kit that fits 7,000-lb axles. Mounting flanges have a 5-bolt pattern. Fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. The main...
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  • Correct Electric Trailer Brakes For Dexter 7,000 lb Axle
    Thanks for the photo, and you are correct, you do indeed have a Dexter 7,000 lb axle, and are also correct regarding the shoes and magnets for Dexter 7k electric brakes, the Replacement Shoe # DX28FR and Replacement Magnet # BP01-225. That said, replacing the entire electric brake assembly is a good idea, and what you need for your Dexter 7k axle is the following: - Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 - Mounting Bolts and...
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for AL-KO 363233.1 and 363233.2 Brakes
    I just confirmed with Dexter that the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181 you were looking at are the correct replacements for the AL-KO brake assembly part #s 363233.1 and 363233.2. The Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 5.2K & 6K Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 - Pre-Greased item # AKHD-655-6-EZ-K you referenced will fit inner bearing item # 25580 (1.75" inner diameter) and outer bearing item # 15123 (1.25" inner...
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • How to Determine if Dexter Brakes 23-180-181 Fit Camper
    While we don't have any way of knowing specifically what brakes your 2020 Black Series HQ15 needs we can help you determine the right ones. To find the correct brakes, you need to know the weight capacity you need, what brake mounting flange bolt pattern you have, and the inside diameter and depth of your drum. For example, the ones you asked about, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 are for 7,000 lb axles, measure 12" diameter x 2" wide (so that is the drum size they...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for Axletek-12-GG Electric Brakes
    Thanks for the pictures! Yes, you can replace your Axletek-12-GG brakes with a set of Dexter ones. You will want to use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" item # 23-464-465. This kit is a pair of left and right assemblies that are an exact match to what you have that are also self adjusting. If you do not want self adjusting Dexter brakes, then you will need item # 23-180-181.
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for Image 2 for
  • Can You Convert Electric Trailer Brakes To Electric Over Hydraulic
    You can convert your trailer to electric over hydraulic brakes by using hydraulic trailer brakes, hydraulic drums, hydraulic brake lines, and adding an electric over hydraulic actuator like the HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes # HBA-10. You will also need a brake away kit like Hopkins Engager # 20400. The benifits of electric over hydraulic brakes are you get the increased braking strength that hydraulic brakes are known for, but with the smoothness of electric...
    view full answer...


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