Comparing Dexter and etrailer Self-Adjusting Electric Trailer Brakes

Question:

Is there a difference between 3500# and 4400# self adjusting electric brakes? K23-478 and AKEBRK-35 The price is more than significantly more. I have a Fleetwood Wilderness RV, tag along. 27foot 8200# max weight.

asked by: Bruce

Helpful Expert Reply:

Brake assembly # K23-478-00 is a Nev-R-Adjust assembly. Like you said it is rated for 4,400 so it has a bigger magnet than a 3,500 pound assembly would have. The etrailer self-adjusting assembly is # AKEBRK-35L-SA rated for 3,500 pounds.

One of the biggest differences besides price and capacity is the pad material. On the Dexter assembly the pad material is snapped off of a long strip of the material. On the etrailer assembly the material is actually cut. What happens when it is snapped off is that the material can chip and crack at the edges. That doesn't happen when it is cut so I recommend the etrailer assemblies if they will work for you.

The matching right hand side is # AKEBRK-35R-SA.

expert reply by: Michael H