Comparing the eTrailer and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kits

Question

Question:

Considering replacing the standard electric brake assemblies on my boat trailer with the self adjusting style. I would of course want the highest quality product for the money. There really isn’t anything wrong with what I have, however NOT having to manually adjust my brakes from time to time looks appealing to me. Could you give me a list of options as to what’s available? Thank you 10 inch drum, 2-1/4 shoes

asked by: Dean

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I currently have three diffrent self-adjusting assemblies for your boat trailer with 10" x 2-1/4" electric drum brakes which are attached for you below.

eTrailer Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # AKEBRK-35-SA (3,500 Axles)
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # 23-468-469 (3,500 Axles)
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # K23-478-479 (4,400 Axles)

The eTrailer brand is going to be the economy line and the Dexter brand is going to be the premium line. The Dexter brakes have a five year warranty and come with mounting hardware whereas the eTrailer brakes have a one year warranty and do not come with mounting hardware, but can be obtained with part # BRKH10B. The Dexter brakes also offer options for both 3,500 lb and 4,440 lbs axles which will vary in braking aggression.

I have attached a sample install video for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

1

James

8/3/2020

I am in a battle with the dealer and have decided to price the braking correction with aftermarket (if you will) not the factory equipped LCI. I have twin 4400# LCI axels with 3500# brakes (as described on their repair order) on a 10,000# GVW travel trailer. My complaint was / is that it simply does nit stop. Gain has to be set at 10 max) to feel any braking action. My question is do the 4400# brakes (K23-478-479) have a more aggressive stop then the 3500# (23-468-469) and do the fit LCI axel flanges. Or are they the same brake with different backing plates? I am thinking that the extra 1800# stopping force would correct my issue?!!! I would love to know that there was a 12” simple bolt up option (brake assemblies and hub/drum (to add some redundancy to my braking)), but working out of my retirement pockets, after just spending $26k on a trailer really really hurts!!!! HELP

Reply

Jon G.

8/12/2020

The 4.4K Brake Assemblies # K23-478-479 will fit your application and have more of a bite to them than the 3.5K Brake Assemblies # 23-468-469 which is really just due to their design as they are meant for heavier trailers. You might try adjusting the brakes on your end before shelling out some more money because even though these are "Nev-R-Adjust" sometimes there is an initial adjustment that needs to be made. You can see how this is done towards the end of the attached video.

Helpful Links

tv-install-dexter-nev-r-adjust-electric-trailer-brakes-left-right-23-468-469.aspx

Reply

Todd F.

8/19/2020

This information is not correct...the 4400# lippert axles have a 2 7/8 pattern and 4" diagonal that will not fit the 4400# dexter brakes. I have seen this info passed along several times on your site. This is why James got 3500# brakes because thats what fits this axle. In fact any 3500# brake setup will fit it. I also learned today that the only difference between the 3500 and the 4400 dexters is the stud pattern on the backing plate of these self adjusting axles...same magnet although dexter lists different part number for 4400 and 3500 magnet. That is the ONLY piece that could cause a more aggressive action. Same shoe same drum same contact area. I have tried to reach your tech service to discuss as I need to replace my brakes on my Eagle HT with 4400# lippert axles. I measured and they ARE in fact the 2 7/8 pattern top and bottom.

Reply

Jon G.

8/31/2020

UPDATE - Check out the link below to confirm what you have.

Helpful Links

question-470347.html

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See All (5) Replies to James ∨

Answer 1

The biggest difference between Dexter brake assembly #23-459 and etrailer/AxleTek assembly #AKEBRK-7L-SA is the pad material. The Dexter assemblies use pads that are snapped off of a long strand of the material. The ones on the etrailer assemblies…

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Answer 2

The Dexter Braking Assemblies like the #23-464-465 are widely regarded as the highest quality assemblies due to them being manufactured right here in the USA and using the highest quality materials available. With that said we have sold a lot of the…

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Answer 3

Dexter and Hayes/Al-Ko make quality brakes and one isn't necessarily better than the other. The majority of the time, the biggest factor in determining the life of a brake is going to be the load it is asked to help stop, the ruggedness of the…

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Answer 4

Yes and no. The first thing to note is that the etrailer brake kit you were looking at is part #AKEBRK-6 and is just a regular brake kit while the Dexter Axle kit you were looking at is part #23-464-465 which is their Nev-R-Adjust kit that adjusts…

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Answer 5

Really the only way to tell if you have manual or self-adjusting brakes is to remove the hub and take a look inside. If you can see a cable running at an angle (see included photo), then you have self adjusting brakes like the Electric Trailer Brake…

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Answer 6

You are going to want either our Bearing Kit #BK2-100 or the Timken Kit #TMK52VR. Both of these kits will give you the inner/outer bearings and races along with a grease seal and cotter pin/D-washer for one hub. You always want to replace the race…

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Answer 7

With your 7,000LB Lippert axles already having a zerk fitting on the end they are designed to use the Grease Cap #TRU66FR to easily access the grease zerk. While the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors 1.98" #BB1980A are to small for your hub we do…

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Answer 8

The difference really comes down to brand recognition, price, and warranty, but apart from that they are very similar. Dexter is a leading brand and people know they are getting quality, hence the higher price. They Dexter also do have a 5-year…

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Answer 9

The 205/65-10 and the 20.5 x 8-10 would be very close in size. Assuming that 20.5 is the diameter of the tire and 8 is the width. The Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10 inch White Wheel, #AM3H390, for example, is 8.3 inches wide with a…

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Answer 10

Replacing just one brake on your trailer axle is okay, but it can mean that the original unit will require maintenance/repair much sooner than the new one. So, potentially another trip to the shop. Since a complete electric drum brake assembly is not…

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Answer 11

For your Dexter 12x2" Brakes, you can use the Electric Trailer Brake Kit #AKEBRK-7-SA for the right side, and #AKEBRK-7L-SA for the left side, as a replacement.

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Answer 12

The Lippert shock kit part #LC281281 that you referenced would do a great job cushioning the ride quality of your 2020 Forrest River Heritage Glen 300BH. This is a single axle kit so you'd need to order a quantity of two. In order to see if…

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Comparing the eTrailer and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kits

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