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Anodized aluminum electric-hydraulic actuator lets you use your brake controller (sold separately) to activate your trailer's hydraulic disc brakes. Vented end plate releases heat. Hydraulic lines and breakaway sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
Note: Do not power wash the Hydrastar actuator or take it through a commercial car wash. High-pressure water may damage the seals on the actuator.
The Hydrastar electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake actuator applies pressure to your trailer's hydraulic brake system in response to the electrical signals sent from your in-cab brake controller. As a result, your trailer's hydraulic brakes will be activated every time you apply the brakes in your vehicle or press the manual override on your controller.
Pair the Hydrastar electric-over-hydraulic actuator with your trailer's disc brakes to get the best possible braking setup. With disc brakes, you already have more consistent braking at higher speeds and a shorter stopping distance than you'd get with drum brakes. In addition to more reliable braking, you also have less cost to maintain the brakes as there are fewer moving parts. Combine these benefits with an electric brake controller and you'll get greater control over your already superior brakes, providing you with the best braking performance.
Hydrastar Electric-Over-Hydraulic Actuator vs. Standard Surge Brake Actuators
With the Hydrastar electric-over-hydraulic actuator, you can get all the benefits of towing with an electric brake controller while using hydraulic brakes. Because this actuator will activate according to the settings you have chosen for your brake controller (sold separately), you will have more control over when and how your trailer brakes engage. Depending on the features of your brake controller, you may be able to control both the rate and intensity with which your trailer's brakes activate. You can also use the manual override on your brake controller, which allows you to engage the trailer brakes without having to apply the brakes in your vehicle. And perhaps most impressive, if you have a proportional brake controller, your brakes will be activated with an intensity that matches the braking speed and power of your rig.
This pump-and-motor-based system increases response time compared with traditional actuators because the trailer brakes are triggered when you apply the brakes in the tow vehicle, as opposed to when the trailer pushes against the hitch ball. This not only gives you faster, more efficient braking, but it also eliminates the pushing sensation that occurs in setups that use standard surge brake actuators.
Hydrastar actuators are also beneficial because, unlike standard surge couplers, they allow you to activate your brakes when reversing down an incline, such as a boat ramp. Having the ability to brake in reverse gives you more control and prevents wear on your tow vehicle.
Hydrastar Installation
This Hydrastar electric-over-hydraulic brake actuator will give you years of trailer-stopping performance. The actuator mounts on your trailer's frame with the included hardware. Then it splices into the trailer's wiring and connects to your hydraulic brake lines from the 3/16" female port. Lines and fittings are sold separately.
Durable Construction
Just like other Hydrastar electric-over-hydraulic actuator models, this system is built of extruded anodized aluminum for excellent corrosion resistance. In addition, the weathertight seals protect internal components from the elements.
This actuator also has a vented end plate that releases pressure, moisture, and heat to help prevent any internal damage. Unlike models that are unable to release heat and pressure, this vented actuator can be safely mounted inside of a compartment on your trailer. As a result, this actuator is great for gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers where finding space on the tongue can be nearly impossible.
Brake Controller Compatibility
Not all electric trailer brake controllers will work with this electric-over-hydraulic brake actuator. See the following table to determine compatibility with common models of brake controllers. For best performance, it is recommended that you use an aftermarket electric brake controller rather than an OEM factory-installed controller.
| Manufacturer | Vehicle Years/Controller Models | Compatible | Compatible if Used with HBA-CAM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles | Ford | 2005-2006 | Yes | |
| 2007-2008 | No | Yes | ||
| 2009-2015 | Yes | |||
| Dodge | 2010-2015 | Yes | ||
| GMC/Chevy | 2007-2015 | No | Yes | |
| Brake Controllers | Draw-Tite | Activator (5100) | Yes | |
| Activator II (5500 or 5510) | Yes | |||
| Activator III (5520) | Yes | |||
| Activator IV (5504) | Yes | |||
| Hayes | Energize III (81741B) | Yes | ||
| Energize III+ (HA81742B) | Yes | |||
| Energize XPC (HA81745) | Yes | |||
| Engage (HA81760) | Yes | |||
| G2 Brake Boss (81792BB) | Yes | |||
| Syncronizer (HA81725) | Yes | |||
| Endeavor (81770) | Yes | |||
| Genesis (HA81790) | Yes | |||
| Blackbird (HA81726) | Yes | |||
| Hopkins | Impulse Digital (47325) | Yes | ||
| Insight (HM47297) | Yes | |||
| Brake Force (47225) | No | |||
| Reliance (47284) | No | |||
| Agility (47294 or 47295) | No | |||
| Maxbrake | Brake Controller | Yes | ||
| Redline | Redline TA900 | Yes | ||
| RedlineTA900A | No | |||
| RedlineTA1000 | No | |||
| RedlineTA1100 | No | |||
| RedlineTA1200 | No | |||
| Tekonsha | Prodigy (90185) | Yes | ||
| Prodigy P2 (90885) | Yes | |||
| Prodigy P3 (90195) | Yes | |||
| Primus IQ (TK90160) | No | |||
| PowerTrac (39523) | Yes | |||
| Voyager (39510 or 9030) | Yes | |||
| Valley | VA32812 Blackbird | Yes | ||
| VA32811 Phantom | Yes |
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (165 Customer Reviews)
Anodized aluminum electric-hydraulic actuator lets you use your brake controller (sold separately) to activate your trailer's hydraulic disc brakes. Vented end plate releases heat. Hydraulic lines and breakaway sold separately.Ordered the HBA16 to install on 2013 Dutchmen Rubicon 2900 TH with 7K Lippert axles, feeding the Kodiak Disc Brakes also purchased from etrailer. Unit was received with out any problems, installed and worked as advertised. The only real issue I had was prior to the order finding out for sure if this Actuator would work on my 2014 F-350 with or without the HBA-CAM. Once I received the HBA-16 the documents that came with it from Cargo Towing solutions provided me with another resource to verify what my truck would need. I contacted Nick Ruehlman with Cargo Towing Solutions and he assured me the HBA16 would work on 2014 F-350's with built in controller without the HBA-CAM. Installation was done by a brake tech and went in without any problems. etrailer customer support was very helpful in completing this project. Brakes are outstanding now that the electric's disc's are out.
Excellent service, exceptional shipping speed. One tab was bent when received but no other damage was apparent. I straightened the aluminum in a bench vise and will have it installed..
Always have a good experience with etrailer. I have bought several items from them. Always get what I expect, fast shipping, very helpful staff. I can't say enough good stuff about etrailer. When I need rv parts, they are who I think of first.
5 Year Follow-up:
Worked GREAT until...
Failed after 3-4 years (3000+/- miles). Sent back to Hydrastar for a rebuild, but was told that it was too far gone & I'll need a new actuator. The only possible cause of failure that I can think of would be water mixed in the brake fluid, so CHANGE YOUR BRAKE FLUID at least yearly. Especially if you live in a humid state like Florida. Apparently it's not sealed like an automotive system and allows moisture from the air to mix with the brake fluid. Wish I had known this before.
I don't recall a marine version when I bought this, so I'll look at that for my next actuator.
Couldn't be happier with this brake system along with my Kodiak disc brakes. System works perfect.
Eddie
7/1/2019
Love love this brake system, going to put one on my other trailer I’m restoring.
I've been using this brake controller with a disc brake conversion I got from Kodiak Trailer Brakes for about a year and the results have been fantastic. Prior to doing the disk conversion, I'd been through about 3 sets of the old electric drum brakes on my 18,000 lb. dual axle toy hauler and I'll never use drums again.
The stopping distance is noticeably shorter and I anticipate the maintenance to be super simple since they are discs. The electric controller takes some getting used to since there's about a 1-1.5 second delay between hitting the pedal and the brakes engaging. That can be a little unnerving until you get used to the fact that when the brakes come on, the REALLY come on.
After owning my toy hauler for ~10 years, this is easily the most important modification I've done. I will be stripping off brand new drum brakes on my next trailer and replacing them with discs before even the first trip.
The HydraStar unit worked fine, easy to install and hook up.
I hauled several 10 ton loads of hay with no problems, after replacing a brake controller that was defective, I got another controller that was supposed to be compatible with electric/hydraulic brakes but wasn't, a newer one of the same model was compatible.
E-Trailer lived up to their slogan, great products,low prices and they have good service too.
I have put three on these on different trailers and they work great!! They install easily and stop on a dime!! I highly recommend the purchase of the optional HBA-CAM. All the newer trucks can be a little tempromental with the intergrated brake control box. I have an "09" GMC 3500HD
Laura E.
5/31/2017
Thanks for your business and your review, Chris! For your reference, the # HBA-CAM is a required rather than optional add-on for 2007-2015 Chevy and GMC trucks and will not work with the OEM factory-installed brake controller.
Helpful Links
It was the best upgrade for a new brake system I was replacing the old electric brake!
Good replacement but doesn't seem as effective as my original actuator.
I have a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel, towing a 2017 Pinnacle 36FBTS 5th. wheel. The Pinnacle has a standard drum braking system. On a long trip this year I cracked both rotors on my truck from over heating related to the Pinnacle's drum brakes failing to fully provide proper stopping.
I decided no more, and after much review I replaced the factory drum brakes with the Kodiak Discbrake system. (my first time ever doing something like this) In addition, one of the key items for me was a way not to replace my on-board factory trailer brake controller, (did not want to use an aftermarket product, that would diminish the interior look ) thus I also added the control Adapter Module that enabled me to use the factory installed brake controller. With all this change I decided to also go ahead and add a separate brake away battery. Everything I just described are shown in the attached photos.
I found eTrailer extremely helpful in answering questions, although I did not have a lot of questions since their online videos proved most helpful.
All parts of the Kodiak system worked fantastic following a 2500 mile trip. The improved braking is superior, and I did not need to replace my on board controller, but continued to use it by installing the control adapter. The disc brake picture is one of the disc brakes that I examined following our trip...all in perfect shape with everything working great for the entire trip.
Morris G.
7/26/2021
Working great as well as it did since installation
In stock and delivered in less than 24 hours to Alaska. It doesn’t get better that that.
Thank you for getting this here so quickly. It is the part that I needed and will be back on the road in no time. Great communication. Great parts and great service.
I purchased the HydraStar Electric over hydraulic actuator for disc brakes. I have been very happy with this purchase. Product arrived very quickly . Instructions were clear and installation went smoothly. Brake system is working great for me on my equipment trailer.
Billy K.
8/28/2018
Unit it working well. I am very happy and satisfied with this unit. Thank you
Pump works great!!
I had installed a round 1600 psi pump first,it had a manufacturer defect. The solenoid wire was pinched between the housing ,witch caused the pump to not be able to release pressure.
Excellent product
Very well assembled and top quality. Not excessive in size and fits easily in trailer. Extremely easy hookup and straight forward to do using instructions. Wired into existing break away and 12v RV battery'
Albert
4/6/2020
Always works. Extra bonus was when I realized I could pull the release pin and hook up the fifth wheel without pushing the trailer up on the chocks or wheel lock so much.
I've towed my boat over 4000 miles this year and the electric over oil brakes have performed better than anticipated. The safety and control that I have with this system could not be better.
Henry S.
9/23/2021
excellent
I'm sure the product is great. I wouldn't know. Months waiting for this and the associated controller and my contractor informed me.it arrived after having moved out of my house for months. Finally getting around to finishing this project now that I have resources all in one place. etrailer had no desire to even discuss the matter. I was disappointed with etrailer on this one. Check those lead times if you need it fast.
Kodiak disk brakes on a 95 EBY stock trailer.
Made a real trailer out of it...
JK...
I upgraded the 32" 12,000 lbs rated trailer to Electric/Hydraulic as the electric brakes really were not doing very much to help slow the trailer down. The overall upgrade included new 7,000# axles as well as this hydraulic converter next to the winch in the front of the trailer. If I ever get another trailer, this unit will be spec'd into it
Have been using this brake actuator for a year now with absolutely no issues. Other people who have committed on how much better my trailer brakes better than theirs. I’m looking at ordering another one to be placed on a trailer I’m changing the axles out on. I’m going from electric brakes to the hydraulic brakes. Great product
Packing was in horrible condition although I paid for Tandem axels only received enough for 1 Axle missing 2 rotors backing plates calibers after having help started and have apart realized only 1/2 enough.all bearing small parts for 2 axels were here called etrailer new missing parts arrived in less than 2 days it was a good thing I didn't have to be any place my mechanic can not finish for week.someonr at etrailer dropped the ball.
I installed this product on my fifth wheel RV about a year ago. I tow with a f350 drw truck and was always concerned with the way it stopped. Now there are no issues. Best upgrade I have ever made. Product was excellent. Product arrived as promised. customer service was great. Thanks etrailer
Replaced an original Hydrastar with a new one. Works great on my 28 ft triaxle boat trailer with disk brakes.
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Larryd
9/15/2015
The HBA16 is still performing well after 5K miles. Great product.