Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator - Drum - Black - 12" Adjustable Channel Center - 12,500 lbs

Video Transcript for Demco Brake Actuator - Surge Brake Actuator - DM8101523 Review

Today we're going to be taking a look at Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator. When you apply the brakes in your tow vehicle, the vehicle slows down and momentum actually pushes the trailer towards the rear of your vehicle. The hydraulic actuator is triggered as the trailer moves forward. When this happens the actuator contracts and applies force to the master cylinder. That, in turn, supplies the necessary hydraulic pressure to engage the brakes on the trailer. Ultimately, this unit, this hydraulic actuator activates the trailer's brakes whenever the tow vehicle slows down or stops. Some of the features about this one in particular, it's going to feature the adjustable channel.

This is going to offer five different mounting positions for a coupler. Couplers are sold separately but it really allows for ultimate versatility. These holes are going to be separated on center by two inches. The unit is constructed of a really nice, heavy-duty steel construction. It has a black, powder coated finish on it. It's going to do a great job at resisting rust and corrosion.

It's going to feature a composite master cylinder that's durable and efficient. It's going to feature a glass reinforced nylon construction to resist rust and corrosion. It has a nice, large reservoir on the unit. I'm actually going to try to turn it around here. Nice, large reservoir which you gain access to with the automotive-style, diaphragm cap. That's going to create a completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of the fluid. The large reservoir provides an increased capacity for brake fluid. This right here is your connection point for the brake line. The unit also comes with the breakaway and what that is is that's this cable that runs to this lever arm right here.

This hook attaches to the tow vehicle and if the trailer and tow vehicle disconnect, and if the safety chains fail, the tow vehicle is going to pull on that which is going to pull the cable which would move this lever to the brake "on" position. What that does is that activates the trailer's brakes which would bring the trailer to an eventual safe stop to prevent a complete runaway situation. Breakaway is included. This is a weld-on installation. It's designed to mount on a straight, three inch wide, trailer tongue. The product is made here in the U.S.A.

It's designed for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes. The gross towing weight of the unit, when it comes to the capacity, is 12,500 pounds. Maximum tongue weight capacity is 1,250 pounds. The channel width, right here, if we take an internal measurement, inside edge to inside edge, that's going to give us a measurement of about three inches. Overall height of that channel bracket area is going to be twelve inches tall. The overall length of the unit from front to back is about twenty one inches long. Please note that because the actuator does not include a reverse lockout, it is recommended that you equip your trailer with Free-Backing brakes so that you can drive in reverse without the actuator triggering your trailer's brakes. Again, nice, solid, dependable unit and weld-on application. Steel construction in a really nice black powder coated finish to keep it safe and protected for a long time. That's going to do it for today's look at the Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator.