Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator - Drum - Zinc - 12" Adjustable Channel Down - 12,500 lbs

Video Transcript for Demco Brake Actuator - Surge Brake Actuator - DM8101541 Review

Today we're going to be taking a look at the Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator. This brake actuator is designed for trailers with hydraulic drum brakes. The actuator is great for taller trailers because the adjustable channel is actually positioned so that the mounting coupler can sit below the actuator tube which is going to allow for a greater drop than with a standard center mounted channel. This is going to help you line up your tall trailer with your tow vehicle's hitch for a nice level setup. This unit's going to feature a gross towing weight capacity of 12,500 pounds and a maximum tongue weight capacity of 1,250 pounds. The hydraulic actuator activates the trailer's brakes when your tow vehicle slows or stops. You'll notice that this one's going to feature an adjustable channel design.

This is going to offer five different mounting positions for a coupler. Couplers are sold separately. It's going to feature a total of six adjustment holes which again offers five different mounting positions. You can mount almost any type of coupler to this unit from a standard ball coupler to a lunette ring or clevis attachment. You can't see underneath it but if I turn this around you'll notice that it's going to feature your master cylinder. This a composite master cylinder that's durable and efficient.

It's going to feature glass reinforced nylon construction that resists rust and corrosion. It's also going to feature a large reservoir that provides increased capacity for brake fluid. Here's your connection point right here for your brake line. It's going to feature an automotive style diaphragm cap that creates a completely enclosed system to help prevent contamination of the fluid. This unit's made from a heavy-duty steel construction. It's going to feature a zinc plating that's going to offer offer corrosion and rust resistance.

It actually features a 200 hour salt spray rating. It does come with a breakaway system. You're going to have your breakaway cable and your hook. This would attached to the tow vehicle. In the event where your trailer and vehicle would separate it would pull this cable right here which would pull this lever and then it would engage the trailer's brakes bringing the trailer to an eventual stop.

Breakaway's included. It's a bolt-on installation. It's going to require a half inch by four and a half inch Grade five bolts for mounting. Those are not included. They do need to be provided separately. The product's made right here in the USA. Right here on the channel this is going to have an internal width of approximately three inches so it will accept couplers that are designed for three inch wide channels. Channel height is going to be about twelve inches tall. Your adjustment holes on the unit are separated on center by two inches and they have a diameter of five eighths of an inch. When it comes to mounting this on your trailer it's going to be designed for a three inch wide trailer tongue and then you're going to have three mount holes on each side. The mount holes, these two are separated on center by three inches. This one and this one are separated on center by twelve and a half inches and then this one and this one are going to be separated on center by nine and a half inches. If we take a measurement from this portion here to the top right here that's going to sit above the trailer frame. Just measuring that portion right there, about six inches. Really nice design. Again very strong construction with that steel construction. It's going to last a long time with that zinc plated finish. I do want you to know that because this actuator does not include a reverse lockout it is recommended that you equip your trailer with free backing brakes. That way you can drive in reverse without the actuator triggering your trailer's brakes. That's going to do it for today's look at the Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator.