Electric trailer brakes

rpf500 · Jan 31, 2015

I was greasing trailer bearings and see brakes could use replaced. Dexter part # 023-027-00 right hand (026 left). Anyway they sell whole units for $90 each on dexters site. Amazon has Libra and Highton for $52 plus shipping per pair. $200 for good reliable brakes is fine, but if I can get good reliable for approx $75 that's a bonus.

Anyone have feedback/thoughts??

Jpyke15 · Jan 31, 2015

I don't have any experience with them but you usually get what you pay for when it comes to breaks. If it were me I would spend the coin. Better safe than sorry. Especially when other peoples life are at risk

fabricator1 · Feb 1, 2015

I work on trailers almost every day. We usually don't see much difference in performance from Dexter to the cheaper brake assemblies. What we do see here in Michigan is if you run your trailer a lot in the winter months, the steel part of the brake shoe will corrode and the brake lining will pop off as they're just bonded to the shoe. The Dexter shoes seem to have a lot better paint/coating on them and makes the brakes last a lot longer

al1tonyota · Feb 1, 2015

I don't mean to derail but the trailer I just bought has one brake axle on the rear I pulled the drums off and the brake assemblies are on the wrong side small shoe back and arm going the wrong way! I assume it was this way from the factory? I moved the axles forward yesterday and spun the whole axle assembly around will that be a problem with alignment?

rpf500 · Feb 1, 2015

Jpyke15 said:
I don't have any experience with them but you usually get what you pay for when it comes to breaks. If it were me I would spend the coin. Better safe than sorry. Especially when other peoples life are at risk

I guess I'm comparing it to buying from NAPA vs buying from GM. Both are good product just GM jacks up price more. I Dont want to only be buying a "name" to get the Dexter stuff. If Dexter is superior I Dont mind....that's why I posted to see if anyone had info from when they replaced brakes. I'll make some calls tomm to local truck/trailer places and try to buy from them if I can.

fabricator1 · Feb 1, 2015

I doubt you will notice any difference. However dexters backing plates are still currently USA made, the others are not. Dexter has just bought alko axle and axis axle. They are probably eventually all the same

rpf500 · Feb 1, 2015

fabricator1 said:
I doubt you will notice any difference. However dexters backing plates are still currently USA made, the others are not. Dexter has just bought alko axle and axis axle. They are probably eventually all the same

Thank you sir. My current brakes are at what appears about half. They are on the rear axle. I'm going to take those plates off move them to the front axle and buy drums. Then just put new units on the rear. The 1 axle with brakes is OK but I think 2 will be better especially on the hilly, winding roads we all travel to get to the places we wheel.
Thanks again

rpf500 · Feb 3, 2015

If anyone cares or ever changes brakes here are the common (according to local truck/trailer place) for most of our type trailers. Ended up getting genuine Dexter never adjust "upgrade" for $53.35 each. Made in USA just as fabricator1 said.

Caver Dave · Feb 4, 2015

Where did you find them for $53 each? What did the drums set you back?

rpf500 · Feb 4, 2015

Auto wheel and rim. Evansville in. That was with my company discount though. Where I work we buy from and sell to auto wheel.
Drums are good still. Gonna ask buddy of mine to see if he can turn them. If not I'll scuff them and go.