Are etrailer Branded Trailer Brakes Good?

Question

Question:

You sell brand name Dexter electric trailer brake assemblies and aftermarket brake assemblies for the same application. How are the aftermarket ones holding up?

asked by: Kevin S

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I'm glad you asked. Our etrailer brand brakes are holding up very well. We actually have an agreement with the same company who manufacture's Lippert's OEM brake assemblies, so our brakes are exactly the same as the brakes that come on over 80% of the travel trailers and 5th wheel trailers that are on the road today. Lippert makes the chassis/frames and other chassis components (axles, brakes, suspensions, etc.) for about 80% of the travel trailer and 5th wheel market. In fact, only about 3 percent of our brakes have been returned and the primary reason for those returns was due to people purchasing the wrong size for their trailer.

If you can give me more information about your trailer, mainly the axle capacity, I'd be happy to make a specific recommendation for you.

I attached a link below to our entire selection for you to check out.

expert reply by: John H

1

Answer 1

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 2

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Answer 3

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 4

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

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Answer 5

You will need to measure the diameter of the spindles where the seal and bearings ride. Check out the picture I attached that shows where this is. You will need an exact measurement so either a digital or dial caliper will be needed. To pick out the…

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Answer 6

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 7

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection. These days, more and more manufacturers are using…

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Answer 8

Trailer wheel bearings are specific to the spindle that is installed on the axle that is on your trailer. You will need to safely support the trailer, remove the wheel and tire, remove the grease cap, remove the cotter pin and washer that secures the…

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Answer 9

To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that…

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Answer 10

There really isn't a particular maximum trailer weight that is used to determine when brakes need to be added to both axles of a tandem axle setup. While I do still recommend checking your local laws, I am also not aware of any general laws that…

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Answer 11

The torque for the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 6,000-lb and 7,000-lb Axles - 12" - 5 Spoke Utility #8-174-5UC3 is not specified by the manufacturer. For 9/16 inch studs, the typical lug nut torque will be 120-140 ft lbs based on most…

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Answer 12

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brakes can be manually adjusted. There are a couple teeth of the adjustment wheel that are exposed just under the lever that you referenced. I have attached a photo showing the teeth. You will likely need a…

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Are etrailer Branded Trailer Brakes Good?

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