Comparing Dexter and etrailer Brand Electric Trailer Brakes for 10K Axles

Updated 02/08/2016 | Published 02/06/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Electric Trailer Brake with Dust Shield - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Right Hand - 10,000 lbs

(44)

$162.04

Electric Trailer Brake with Dust Shield - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Left Hand - 10,000 lbs

(49)

$112.73

Question:

what is the quality of the e trailer compared to the dexters brand also where are they made both of them

asked by: Mike C

Expert Reply:

We recently had a short training session in which the difference between our brakes such as # AKEBRK-10R and Dexter brakes were revealed. The biggest difference is the brake pad material. It is thicker on our house brand brakes. Also, on our brakes the pads are machine cut whereas on the Dexter brakes the sections are snapped off.

The benefit to having them machine cut is a smoother edge. Snapping off the pad sections leads to chipped edges and fine cracks in the material. The performance is so much better than major axle and trailer manufacturers are switching to the same house brand brakes that we carry.

I had both manufacturers brakes in my hand last week and the material of the pads is also a higher quality on our house brand brakes. You can go with either brake but it is my honest opinion that brake # AKEBRK-10R is superior. Plus it costs a little less. The matching left side is # AKEBRK-10L.

Our brakes are certified by USSAE standards and CSA, which is the Canadian Standards. And the company that makes these brakes is pushing for these standards in the trailer braking industry so they really are high quality brakes.

The Dexter brakes for now are made in the USA. Our house brand brakes are made overseas.