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  1. Trailer Brakes
  2. Dexter
  3. Electric Drum Brakes
  4. 7000 lbs Axle
  5. 12 x 2 Inch Drum
  6. 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
  7. 15 Inch Wheel
  8. 16 Inch Wheel
Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs

Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs

Item # 23-180-181
Our Price: $207.12
Trailer Brakes
Shipping Weight: 30 lbs
Quantity: 
23-180-181 - 12 x 2 Inch Drum Dexter Electric Drum Brakes
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12" x 2" Driver's-side and passenger's-side electric trailer brake assemblies fit 7,000-lb axles. Mounting flanges have a 5-bolt pattern. Fit 14.5" to 16" wheels. Great Prices for the best trailer brakes from Dexter. Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs part number 23-180-181 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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  • Reviews (283)
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Dexter Trailer Brakes - 23-180-181

  • Electric Drum Brakes
  • 7000 lbs Axle
  • 12 x 2 Inch Drum
  • 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
  • 15 Inch Wheel
  • 16 Inch Wheel
  • Camper
  • Car Hauler
  • Snowmobile Trailer
  • Utility Trailer
  • Manual Adjust
  • Dexter

12" x 2" Driver's-side and passenger's-side electric trailer brake assemblies fit 7,000-lb axles. Mounting flanges have a 5-bolt pattern. Fit 14.5" to 16" wheels.


Features:

  • Electric brakes are easier to install and offer more user control than hydraulic brakes
    • Require only an electric brake controller (sold separately) - no actuator or hydraulic lines necessary
  • Adjuster plugs (included) cover access holes to keep dirt and grime out of the assemblies and off of the shoes
  • Left-hand (driver's-side) brake assembly, right-hand (passenger's-side) brake assembly, and mounting nuts included
    • Mounting bolts sold separately
  • Made in the USA


Specs:

  • Dimensions: 12" diameter x 2" wide
  • Mounting flange bolt pattern: 5 bolt
  • Wheel size: 14-1/2", 15" or 16"
  • Axle rating: 7,000 lbs


23-180 12" Dexter Electric Brake Assembly, LH - 7,000 lbs

23-181 12" Dexter Electric Brake Assembly, RH - 7,000 lbs





Customer Satisfaction Score:


Customer Reviews

Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs - 23-180-181

Average Customer Rating:  4.8 out of 5 stars   (283 Customer Reviews)

12" x 2" Driver's-side and passenger's-side electric trailer brake assemblies fit 7,000-lb axles. Mounting flanges have a 5-bolt pattern. Fit 14.5" to 16" wheels.

by:

I was very happy with the customer service. The order arrived in different boxes one packed really well the other just thrown into a large box. I thought that was strange.



by:

I am a big believer is sticking with original equipment parts when possible. Locally here in Canada the parts thatbI purchased frome etrailer were much more expensive. It took much longer than expected for the parts to arrive, but the quality, fit and finish was excellent. Following the burnishing in procedure the brakes functioned excellent. My trailer is a 7 Ton dump trailer with an empty weight of around 5000lbs. My gain was set @ 2 empty with excellent results is slowing the truck and trailer. I haven't pulled a full load yet, but I expect to have full confidence in the brakes ability stop the trailer safety in annorderly manner.



by:

I am building a tiny house and I am using the axleless suspension that I purchased from Etrailer. Now that I have purchased the brakes, I will be purchasing the hubs next. I probably won't be installing everything until this summer. I will let you know how it goes and I will send photos. Thank you for everything so far and your prompt delivery of all parts so far.



by:

They work far better than the 50 year old units I took off, I should have done it years ago. Having all of the components mounted made the unit swap very simple. I pictured both the old and new.



by:

I purchased these for my 2015 Heartland Bighorn RV. Easy to install after removing tire and old brakes. highly recommend for DIY trailer owners, saves on labor.



by:

Perfect fit, very easy to replace worn,rusted old brakes. Quality in manufacturing and everything tested prior to assembly. After assembly worked perfectly. The price was very good as well. If your brakes looked like the attached photo, just replace the whole assembly and save yourself a headache.



by:

Etrailers makes it easy to get the parts I need to keep my equipment running. We have several trailers and have use them for all our needs.Excellent product and fast service.



by:

I was advised by my Airstrem dealer that my brake backplates needed to be replaced. After getting their quote, I went online to see if I could get a better deal. Sure enough, e-trailer had a much better price than the dealer. So I ordered the parts, received them in the promised timeframe and had them installed by the dealer. They've been working fine, I would recommend checking with e-trailer before buying anywhere else.



by:

Excellent parts. Made in USA! Just as advertised. I have ordered other parts since with confidence.



by:

Excellent service. Excellent delivery timeline. Expert assistance. Everything was exactly what I needed and furthermore I can now adequately stop my trailer and mitigate running over the stray- animals that run out in front of me (<-- thats a joke!). I would highly recommend etrailer for all of your camper needs!

Comments
Still helping me stop to avoid the strays
DickTator - 01/23/2023


by:

I would have preferred you waiting for the 1 bolt & 7 washers you were short instead of sending them separately . Did me NO good to get a partial shipment & have to wait for 2 more shipments to have the parts I needed to start reassembling the brakes. My opinion, maybe you should have asked what I would prefer . You could have saved on shipping 2 other packages !!



by:

The web site was easy to navigate and find what I was looking for. Delivery was on time. The follow up and follow thru was excellent. The product was received as described. Thank you.



by:

Very fast shipping. Products were packaged to avoid damage. Instructions were straight forward and easy to understand. Excellent products.



by:

Starlight all in one system and they cut down on repair time with everything being there in a new

Comments
The brakes are working perfect thank you very much for following up
Randy - 08/26/2023


by:

The brakes work really well and were super easy to install. I no longer fear the truck unable to stop with a full load. After installing, the brakes didn’t work well. I had to pull the trailer about 5 miles constantly exercising the brake box to get the trailer brakes really hot. After they were literally smoking, the worked great.



by:

Perfect replacement for the Lippert system. Quality and workmanship is definitely better.



by:

Works like it great, installation had a little hiccup with the mounting bolds being a different tread. But wasn't a big deal. I would buy again and I already have.



by:

Received my order.....2 Dexter electric brake sets. Evidently the 2 boxes, left and right, did not fit in the shipping box. So they took one out of the box, slid it beside the boxed set, no plastic bag, padding, etc. Then they left the hardware kit out of the side they unboxed.....no nuts, plugs, etc.....! Called Customer Service, they said they would put something together and send it to me. Haven't received a shipping notification as of yet. Good luck on my part! Will not order from etrailer again!

Comments
I would be frustrated as well! I am sending this to our customer service team to make sure they update you on that shipment. Thanks for letting us know.
-- Etrailer Expert Brooke M - 08/23/2022


by:

looks well made, will see how they hold up.

Comments
everything has been great
Ed - 07/10/2023


by:

I called to make sure I was getting the right part. Joshua the rep made sure it was right and in stock. It's really nice to immediately get a smart and helpful rep, especially in these days of overseas call centers.



by:

Great fit, work as they should. Be sure to break in per Mfr. It really seats brake pads and allows breaks to function as they should on trailer. Much easier to replace backing plate with pads, etc. couple electrical connections and back in business.



by:

Good product good price, been a year now and working good.



by:

Thank you ETrailer, parts all installed today on My Grand Design Reflection Fifth Wheel, the whole buying process was great and a Paul helped me get the parts I needed on the phone. I would highly recommend this company for trailer parts,, Great people, Thanks Again look forward to future purchases; John Donovan



by:

I have used my RV only a handful of times, but so far so good



by:

Good brakes delivered fast


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283
Show More Reviews

See what our Experts say about this Dexter Trailer Brakes

  • How To Determine Replacement Electric Trailer Brakes For Trailer
    I would be happy to recommend the correct replacement electric trailer brakes for you, but the 3175030707 did not cross reference to any brake assemblies. To determine the correct brake assemblies I would need to know the weight rating of your axle which can be found on the axle tag on the axle tube, and the diameter and width of your current assemblies as shown in the included picture. For example the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs...
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  • Will Dexter 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies Fit 5,200 lb Trailer Axles
    The 7k Dexter brake assembly set part # 23-180-181 will fit on your 5,200 lb axles and will have a bigger magnet. The problem you may find is that the bigger magnet might make it harder to get the brakes dialed in perfectly as they might come on too strong or too weak.
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  • At What Interval Should Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies Be Replaced
    There's really no set hard and fast rule on the interval of time at which trailer brake assemblies should be replaced, but once the friction material on the brake pads gets down to about 1/16 of an inch or the magnet gets grooved or worn to the point where the copper wire inside of it is visible, that's the point where you'll want to replace them. If the face of the magnet has grooves worn in it, take a good look at the armature surface of the brake drum where the magnets ride against....
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  • What is Bolt Pattern of Trailer Brake Assemblies 23-180-181
    I attached a picture that shows the bolt pattern of the trailer brake assembly part # 23-180-181 that you referenced.
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  • How Long to Do Install of New Trailer Left and Right Brake Assemblies
    I'd set aside about two hours or so to do a brake assembly install like with the Dexter Trailer Brake Kit part # 23-180-181 if it's your first time doing so. It's not a hard process but if you wanted to take your time with it I am sure two hours or so would be adequate.
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  • What Replacement Brakes do I Need for My Dexter 7k Axles?
    It sounds like you are looking for 2 sets of left/right side brakes for your 7k trailer. If that is the case, we unfortuantely do not carry the 23-181-00 because these are an older brake model that was discontinued from Dexter. However, the new models fit as well. Those are 2 sets of the # 23-180-181. These are direct replacements of your current brakes.
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  • How To Determine The Correct Replacement Electric Drum Brake Assemblies For Your Trailer
    To find the correct replacement electric drum brakes for your 2007 Weekend Warrior LE3105 you'll need to know the axle capacity. To find yours you'll just need to look on the axles for the axle tag, which will tell you the capacity. Given that you have triple axles you most likely have 5,000 to 7,000lb axles, but you'll definitely want to check before purchasing anything. For example, if you had 7k axles then you could use the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181, which will...
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  • How Many Brake Assemblies are in the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit 23-180-181
    The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 comes with a left hand and a right hand assembly. If you are needing 4 assemblies you will need to purchase 2 sets of this kit. You can check out the assemblies in the review video I linked for you.
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  • Troubleshooting Dexter 6,000 lb Axle Electric Drum Brake Adjustment
    What you describe for your brakes after adjustment is not normal. You should have a slight drag on your brakes when spinning the hubs by hand when they are adjusted properly. There shouldn't be any difference when rotated in the opposite direction, so having brakes engage makes me think there is a spring issue or a shoe alignment issue. There should not be any locking so that is a sure sign of an issue. If you put the assembly on the wrong side, that would give you stronger braking...
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  • Thickness of Brake Pads for 12" Dexter Electric Brake Kit and What is Minimum Safe Thickness
    The brake pads on the 12" Dexter Electric Drum Brake Kit # 23-180-181 are 3/16" thick. Dexter Axle recommends replacing them once they get down to 1/16" thick.
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  • Help! Trailer Brakes Are Only Hooked Up On One Side of Axle
    Yes, you should be concerned about your trailer brakes being connected on just one side, but before you reach out to a dealership let's double check first. Electric brakes, like the Dexter Axle # 23-180-181, use magnets so when the brakes are activated there is a slight "hum" noise. Sometimes wiring is ran along the axle from one side to the other so you may only see the brake circuit going down one side of your trailer but all of the brakes are still connected to the circuit. If you have...
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  • Tandem Axle Trailer Brakes Won't Lock Up with Full Power
    It sounds like you're having issues with the brakes not locking up on the trailer during full power. If that's the case and you have verified full power (11.5-12 volts) going to each of the magnets, the only thing left to check would be the brake adjustment. If the brakes are self-adjusting you only need to do this once for the initial setup whereas if they are manual adjusting you need to do this every few months as you use the trailer. If the brakes have been adjusted properly, there's...
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  • Troubleshooting Circuit Breaker For Trailer Brake Controller Tripping On Dump Trailer When Turned Up
    I am sorry to hear that! Since your issue is only on your one dump trailer when it's loaded, It sounds like the connections to the magnet on it's brakes are bad, or the magnet itself is worn and shorting when power is added. I recommend removing the drum and checking your brake magnets for wear/damage, because I'm betting you're going to see them really worn. If you do find they are worn, I'd just replace the entire brake assemblies because it's likely other components are worn if the...
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  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for a Dexter Axle Part # 60826
    It looks like the Dexter axle part # 60826 is a 7,000 lbs capacity axle. To replace the brake assemblies, I recommend the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs item # 23-180-181. You will need one set per axle. I have linked an installation video below.
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  • Difference Between the Two Types of 12x2 7000 lb. Brake Assemblies
    The difference between the two brake assemblies comes down to one being self adjusting and one that is manually adjusted. I recommend the self adjusting because you will never have to crawl under the trailer to adjust the brakes. This can be a headache and we tend to not do it as often as we should which leads to poor performing brakes. With the self adjusting it automatically tightens as the shoes wear down keeping your trailer's braking performance optimized and working as safely as...
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  • Can You Use Either the 23-180-181 or 23-105-106 12 Brake Kit & What Bearing Kit Do I Need
    The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 (7,000 lbs.) and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-105-106 (6,000 lbs.) are both 12" x 2" brakes so they are interchangeable, but they have different axle ratings. The # 23-180-181 is rated for 7,000 lb. axles and the # 23-105-106 is rated for 6,000 lb. axles. You will want to match them to the weight rating of your axle to make sure you get adequate braking for your trailer. I was able to locate a bearing that fits with the outer...
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  • Replacement Brake Assembly For 5,200LB Al-KO Axle
    Yes, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 will fit the 5,200lb AL-KO axles. I recommend the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-458-459. This will allow the brakes to self adjust meaning less hassle for you adjusting brakes.
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  • What Is The Difference Between Dexter Electric Brakes 23-180-181 and 23-105-106?
    The difference between the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7,000 lbs # 23-180-181 and the # 23-105-106 you mentioned are the strength of the brake magnets. The # 23-180-181 was designed for 7000lb axles where the # 23-105-106 was designed for 6000lb axles so it has slightly weaker brake magnets. They are both 12" x 2" brakes so they are interchangeable, but you will want to match them to the weight rating of your axle to make sure you get adequate...
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  • How to Choose the Correct Electric Brakes for 20 Foot Flat Bed Trailer
    In order to find the correct electric brakes for your trailer you are going to need to know the axle capacity. You should be able to find this on your axle tag. Once you have this information you will be able to choose the correct brake assemblies for your trailer. For example, if you have tandem 3,500 lb axles then you could use the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K # 23-468-469. These are self-adjusting brakes that fit a 10...
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  • Do Dexter 7k Trailer Brake Assemblies Require Manual Adjustment
    When adjusting trailer brake assemblies like the Dexter 7k set part # 23-180-181 you want to tighten them down till there is a light drag on the wheel as you turn them by hand. To see how to manually adjust trailer brake assemblies check out the video I attached, fast-forward to the 4:35 mark of the video. Another option is a set of self-adjusting brake assemblies like the part # 23-464-465 which actively tighten as needed when you use them. These require no adjustment ever.
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  • Replacement Brake Assemblies for Axletek-12-GG Electric Brakes
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  • No Trailer Brakes on 2018 Voltage Toy Hauler After New Brake Install
    I really suggest you just take the trailer back to the dealer and have them fix the issue because the second you try to fix their mistake, the warranty for the work they performed goes out the window. That said, if the brakes are humming then that means you are getting power. If the brakes are getting power but not engaging then the most common cause of this after a fresh install is that they have not yet been adjusted. There is a star wheel on the back for adjusting the tension on the...
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  • Can Dexter Brake Assemblies 23-180-181 Work in Place of 23-105-106
    Yes the Dexter brake assemblies part # 23-180-181 would work in place of the # 23-105-106. They are the same size and the capacity range matches as well.
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  • Can 7K 12 Inch Electric Brakes be Used for 8K Trailer Axles
    The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-180-181 will work for your 8K axles if indeed your current brakes are electric, have a 12" diameter, and measure 2" wide. Standard 8K brakes like part # 23-402-403 though are hydraulic, have a 12-1/4" diameter, and measure 3-3/8" wide. As long as your specs match the 7K electric brakes you're good to go.
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Info for this part was:

Employee Mike L
Expert Research:
Mike L
Employee Jameson C
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Employee Lindsey S
Edited by:
Lindsey S
Employee Jeff D
Installed by:
Jeff D
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
Wilson B
Employee Alexander C
Written by:
Alexander C

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