Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs
(319 reviews)
Price: $194.93
In Stock
Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs
Item # 23-180-181
Our Price: $194.93
In Stock
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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
- 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.
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
Customer Satisfaction Score:
99% were satisfied with this product
1% of customers were not satisfied
- Wrong item was ordered
- Product did not meet expectations
- Did not arrive in time
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 (319 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.by: Steven11/05/2022
I am a big believer is sticking with original equipment parts when possible. Locally here in Canada the parts thatbI purchased frome etrailer were much more expensive. It took much longer than expected for the parts to arrive, but the quality, fit and finish was excellent. Following the burnishing in procedure the brakes functioned excellent. My trailer is a 7 Ton dump trailer with an empty weight of around 5000lbs. My gain was set @ 2 empty with excellent results is slowing the truck and trailer. I haven't pulled a full load yet, but I expect to have full confidence in the brakes ability stop the trailer safety in annorderly manner.
by: Paul 10/13/2022
Great fit, work as they should. Be sure to break in per Mfr. It really seats brake pads and allows breaks to function as they should on trailer. Much easier to replace backing plate with pads, etc. couple electrical connections and back in business.
Paul
10/14/2023
Brakes still function as they should. Will purchase again, or for other trailers.
Mike L.
11/5/2023
@Paul We're very happy to hear that your # 23-180-181 brake assemblies are working well for you!
by: Joe T01/12/2024
I received my shipment with my new brakes. I chose to go with the manual adjust version for my trailer. The units are Dexter and made in the USA. While not installed yet, i have to give kudos to Phillip with etrailer for the great help and etrailer for the promplt shipping and packaging.
by: Greg12/16/2022
I am building a tiny house and I am using the axleless suspension that I purchased from Etrailer. Now that I have purchased the brakes, I will be purchasing the hubs next. I probably won't be installing everything until this summer. I will let you know how it goes and I will send photos. Thank you for everything so far and your prompt delivery of all parts so far.
by: Steve 02/21/2024
I've tried many different manufacturer's of trailer brakes/assemblies. To me, it's worth the potential extra cost to go with Dexter.
by: Rick07/20/2023
I was very happy with the customer service. The order arrived in different boxes one packed really well the other just thrown into a large box. I thought that was strange.
by: Corey L09/08/2023
Perfect fit, very easy to replace worn,rusted old brakes. Quality in manufacturing and everything tested prior to assembly. After assembly worked perfectly. The price was very good as well. If your brakes looked like the attached photo, just replace the whole assembly and save yourself a headache.
by: Kim02/07/2024
Great product and great service.Went on real easy.Got alot of help making sure I had correct parts for my axles.Will definitely shop there again.
by: Marv07/12/2023
They work far better than the 50 year old units I took off, I should have done it years ago. Having all of the components mounted made the unit swap very simple. I pictured both the old and new.
by: Stephen03/30/2024
These 7000 lb. brakes really made a difference and the fact that they are not self adjusting makes a big difference. These are like the brakes that came on the trailer and those lasted 10 yrs.
by: Russell 08/04/2023
I purchased these for my 2015 Heartland Bighorn RV. Easy to install after removing tire and old brakes. highly recommend for DIY trailer owners, saves on labor.
by: mogpsguy09/11/2023
Works like it great, installation had a little hiccup with the mounting bolds being a different tread. But wasn't a big deal. I would buy again and I already have.
by: Mark 08/29/2023
Perfect replacement for the Lippert system. Quality and workmanship is definitely better.
by: Albert 11/15/2023
Installation was straight forward!
by: Yunier04/25/2024
Excellent products
by: Richard 03/06/2023
I was advised by my Airstrem dealer that my brake backplates needed to be replaced. After getting their quote, I went online to see if I could get a better deal. Sure enough, e-trailer had a much better price than the dealer. So I ordered the parts, received them in the promised timeframe and had them installed by the dealer. They've been working fine, I would recommend checking with e-trailer before buying anywhere else.
by: Richard 04/05/2024
Delivered rapidly and the great quality that I expected!
by: Richard 08/27/2023
Etrailers makes it easy to get the parts I need to keep my equipment running. We have several trailers and have use them for all our needs.Excellent product and fast service.
by: Cory 04/08/2024
Excellent service. Will buy from again
by: David 03/29/2024
Wow fast shipping, everything perfect.
by: DickTator01/11/2022
Excellent service. Excellent delivery timeline. Expert assistance. Everything was exactly what I needed and furthermore I can now adequately stop my trailer and mitigate running over the stray- animals that run out in front of me (<-- thats a joke!). I would highly recommend etrailer for all of your camper needs!
D
1/23/2023
Still helping me stop to avoid the strays
by: John 02/05/2024
Great products - Fit the axles perfectly
by: Greg 12/06/2023
Perfect direct replacement
by: Dustin 11/17/2023
Excellent product! Very easy to install and very well put together. Had zero issues with the install and so far after a year of use no issues either!
by: Chris I07/26/2023
Excellent parts. Made in USA! Just as advertised. I have ordered other parts since with confidence.
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See what our Experts say about this Dexter Trailer Brakes
- How to Determine if Dexter Brakes 23-180-181 Fit CamperWhile 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... - How Long to Do Install of New Trailer Left and Right Brake AssembliesI'd set aside about two hours or so to do a brake assembly install like with the Dexter Trailer Brake Kit part # 23-180-181 if it's your first time doing so. It's not a hard process but if you wanted to take your time with it I am sure two hours or so would be adequate.
view full answer... - What Replacement Brakes do I Need for My Dexter 7k Axles?It sounds like you are looking for 2 sets of left/right side brakes for your 7k trailer. If that is the case, we unfortuantely do not carry the 23-181-00 because these are an older brake model that was discontinued from Dexter. However, the new models fit as well. Those are 2 sets of the # 23-180-181. These are direct replacements of your current brakes.
view full answer... - Replacement Brake Assemblies for a Dexter Axle Part # 60826It looks like the Dexter axle part # 60826 is a 7,000 lbs capacity axle. To replace the brake assemblies, I recommend the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181. You will need one set per axle. I have linked an installation video below.
view full answer... - At What Interval Should Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies Be ReplacedThere's really no set hard and fast rule on the interval of time at which trailer brake assemblies should be replaced, but once the friction material on the brake pads gets down to about 1/16 of an inch or the magnet gets grooved or worn to the point where the copper wire inside of it is visible, that's the point where you'll want to replace them. If the face of the magnet has grooves worn in it, take a good look at the armature surface of the brake drum where the magnets ride against....
view full answer... - Replacement Braking Assemblies For A Tandem Axle 1963 Avion T27Yes, that is correct. For a tandem axle trailer, you'd need two of the left and right hand assemblies # 23-180-181. These braking assemblies measure 12" in diameter, 2" wide, has a 5 bolt mounting pattern, will fit wheels sizes 14-1/2" to 16", and will work with axles rated 7,000lbs.
view full answer... - How To Determine Replacement Electric Trailer Brakes For TrailerI would be happy to recommend the correct replacement electric trailer brakes for you, but the 3175030707 did not cross reference to any brake assemblies. To determine the correct brake assemblies I would need to know the weight rating of your axle which can be found on the axle tag on the axle tube, and the diameter and width of your current assemblies as shown in the included picture. For example the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs...
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- Will Dexter 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies Fit 5,200 lb Trailer AxlesThe 7k Dexter brake assembly set part # 23-180-181 will fit on your 5,200 lb axles and will have a bigger magnet. The problem you may find is that the bigger magnet might make it harder to get the brakes dialed in perfectly as they might come on too strong or too weak.
view full answer... - Troubleshooting Dexter 6,000 lb Axle Electric Drum Brake AdjustmentWhat you describe for your brakes after adjustment is not normal. You should have a slight drag on your brakes when spinning the hubs by hand when they are adjusted properly. There shouldn't be any difference when rotated in the opposite direction, so having brakes engage makes me think there is a spring issue or a shoe alignment issue. There should not be any locking so that is a sure sign of an issue. If you put the assembly on the wrong side, that would give you stronger braking...
view full answer... - Tandem Axle Trailer Brakes Won't Lock Up with Full Power It sounds like you're having issues with the brakes not locking up on the trailer during full power. If that's the case and you have verified full power (11.5-12 volts) going to each of the magnets, the only thing left to check would be the brake adjustment. If the brakes are self-adjusting you only need to do this once for the initial setup whereas if they are manual adjusting you need to do this every few months as you use the trailer. If the brakes have been adjusted properly, there's...
view full answer... - How To Determine The Correct Replacement Electric Drum Brake Assemblies For Your Trailer To find the correct replacement electric drum brakes for your 2007 Weekend Warrior LE3105 you'll need to know the axle capacity. To find yours you'll just need to look on the axles for the axle tag, which will tell you the capacity. Given that you have triple axles you most likely have 5,000 to 7,000lb axles, but you'll definitely want to check before purchasing anything. For example, if you had 7k axles then you could use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181, which will...
view full answer... - How Many Brake Assemblies are in the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit 23-180-181The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 comes with a left hand and a right hand assembly. If you are needing 4 assemblies you will need to purchase 2 sets of this kit. You can check out the assemblies in the review video I linked for you.
view full answer... - Troubleshooting Circuit Breaker For Trailer Brake Controller Tripping On Dump Trailer When Turned UpI am sorry to hear that! Since your issue is only on your one dump trailer when it's loaded, It sounds like the connections to the magnet on it's brakes are bad, or the magnet itself is worn and shorting when power is added. I recommend removing the drum and checking your brake magnets for wear/damage, because I'm betting you're going to see them really worn. If you do find they are worn, I'd just replace the entire brake assemblies because it's likely other components are worn if the...
view full answer... - What is Bolt Pattern of Trailer Brake Assemblies 23-180-181I attached a picture that shows the bolt pattern of the trailer brake assembly part # 23-180-181 that you referenced.
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- Help! Trailer Brakes Are Only Hooked Up On One Side of AxleYes, you should be concerned about your trailer brakes being connected on just one side, but before you reach out to a dealership let's double check first. Electric brakes, like the Dexter Axle # 23-180-181, use magnets so when the brakes are activated there is a slight "hum" noise. Sometimes wiring is ran along the axle from one side to the other so you may only see the brake circuit going down one side of your trailer but all of the brakes are still connected to the circuit. If you have...
view full answer... - Thickness of Brake Pads for 12" Dexter Electric Brake Kit and What is Minimum Safe ThicknessThe brake pads on the 12" Dexter Electric Drum Brake Kit # 23-180-181 are 3/16" thick. Dexter Axle recommends replacing them once they get down to 1/16" thick.
view full answer... - Difference Between the Two Types of 12x2 7000 lb. Brake AssembliesThe difference between the two brake assemblies comes down to one being self adjusting and one that is manually adjusted. I recommend the self adjusting because you will never have to crawl under the trailer to adjust the brakes. This can be a headache and we tend to not do it as often as we should which leads to poor performing brakes. With the self adjusting it automatically tightens as the shoes wear down keeping your trailer's braking performance optimized and working as safely as...
view full answer... - How to Choose the Correct Electric Brakes for 20 Foot Flat Bed TrailerIn order to find the correct electric brakes for your trailer you are going to need to know the axle capacity. You should be able to find this on your axle tag. Once you have this information you will be able to choose the correct brake assemblies for your trailer. For example, if you have tandem 3,500 lb axles then you could use the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K # 23-468-469. These are self-adjusting brakes that fit a 10...
view full answer... - Can 7K 12 Inch Electric Brakes be Used for 8K Trailer AxlesThe Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 will work for your 8K axles if indeed your current brakes are electric, have a 12" diameter, and measure 2" wide. Standard 8K brakes like part # 23-402-403 though are hydraulic, have a 12-1/4" diameter, and measure 3-3/8" wide. As long as your specs match the 7K electric brakes you're good to go.
view full answer... - Can Dexter Brake Assemblies 23-180-181 Work in Place of 23-105-106Yes the Dexter brake assemblies part # 23-180-181 would work in place of the # 23-105-106. They are the same size and the capacity range matches as well.
view full answer... - Do Dexter 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies Require Manual AdjustmentWhen adjusting trailer brake assemblies like the Dexter 7k set part # 23-180-181 you want to tighten them down till there is a light drag on the wheel as you turn them by hand. To see how to manually adjust trailer brake assemblies check out the video I attached, fast-forward to the 4:35 mark of the video. Another option is a set of self-adjusting brake assemblies like the part # 23-464-465 which actively tighten as needed when you use them. These require no adjustment ever.
view full answer... - Can You Use Either the 23-180-181 or 23-105-106 12 Brake Kit & What Bearing Kit Do I NeedThe Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 (7,000 lbs.) and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-105-106 (6,000 lbs.) are both 12" x 2" brakes so they are interchangeable, but they have different axle ratings. The # 23-180-181 is rated for 7,000 lb. axles and the # 23-105-106 is rated for 6,000 lb. axles. You will want to match them to the weight rating of your axle to make sure you get adequate braking for your trailer. I was able to locate a bearing that fits with the outer...
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- No Trailer Brakes on 2018 Voltage Toy Hauler After New Brake InstallI 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...
view full answer... - 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...
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Do you have a question about this Trailer Brake?
Info for this part was:
Expert Research:
Mike L
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Edited by:
Lindsey S
Installed by:
Jeff D
Updated by:
Wilson B
Written by:
Alexander C
Written by:
Ryan F
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Steven
11/5/2023
Excellent product. Excellent value Excellent performance on my application