Converting From Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes To Just Electric For a 12k Axle

Updated 01/08/2026 | Published 01/04/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Hydraulic Trailer Brakes - Duo Servo - 12-1/4" - Left/Right - 15K

(92)

$946.72

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(109)

$1.81

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 15K

(1882)

$822.92

Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for Heavy-Duty 15K Axles - 8 on 275mm Oil Bath

(75)

$931.10

Question:

Good Evening. I currently have a 2021 Lucon tilt-bed container trailer that is running 12k Dexter Serial 125422506 with oil bath hubs and elec/hydraulic brakes. Im looking to convert these to electric drum brakes with oil bath hubs. Im not a fan of the disc brakes due to actuator issues and generally how expensive the pads/rotors and hardware are! Also the brake lines have been changed multiple times because they appear to be too weak/fragile. Im looking to see if a kit is available, or if i would be better off buying entirely new axles and swapping them out? The trailer is rated for 25,9xx pounds and im running 17.5 rims on the current setup as well.

asked by: Chris K

Trailer
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey, Chris!

Happy to help out! We don't have a full kit that would come with everything but we do have the parts. The electric brakes you would need for that capacity of axle would be the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brakes part # 23-446-447. The hub/drum you would want to use is the Dexter Heavy-Duty part # DX78QR. You will want to confirm what your bolt pattern is just to make sure

You will need to run wires that are 10 gauge, part # 10-1-1. This is going to be the best sized wire for running power to the magnets. It sounds like you already have a brake controller since you are currently running electric over hydraulic brakes.

Usually we are asked to convert to disc. While the initial set up can be expensive, maintenance over time is easier because you can replace individual parts where as on electric drum brakes, you're replacing the whole brake when needed. There are some replacement parts for electric brakes, but its not an easy of a job.

What are you usually loading and hauling on your trailer?

expert reply by: Gwendolyn Y

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust
(click to enlarge)

Chris K.

1/6/2026

Yea i figured most people would be converting from drum to disc but for these trailers im generally hauling empty shipping containers. 20’ 40’ and 45’. I will check out the part numbers you sent. Silly question but could you verify what size axle i have by the serial number?? I thought we went with 12k axles but im seeing 10k on some documents. The tag is not legible on the axles unfortunately

Gwendolyn Y.

1/6/2026

@ChrisK I'll reach out to Dexter and see what I can find out for you. Usually we can get a build sheet from them with the number. Just to make sure, you do have 2 axles on the trailer right? That's what the picture looked like but I just want to make sure my eyes are not failing me just yet.

Chris K.

1/6/2026

@GwendolynY Yes correct 2 axles. Both are the same and have hutch 9700 suspension