Dexter EOH Actuator?
 

Anyone have an opinion on the Dexter brake actuator? I'm getting close to ordering my new brake system. A lot of you use BrakeRite but the plastic looks flimsy IMO and the Dexter looks built stout.

Also, how do you bleed the system once installed?

Just replaced my acutator with the Dexter. Looks very good quality. Works great. I bled the brakes by getting my wife to activate the manual control of the in cab brakecontroller. Open the bleed valve until good clean fluid comes through, close the bleed valve and have your second person stop activating the switch. Move on to the next one. Start in the back and work forward. Use a brake bleed clear hose and container to keep from making a mess. Make sure your brake lines are in good shape. I had to replace all mine. Make sure wiring is of the proper guage. I had to upgrade these as well.

Did you have to upgrade your truck tow wire harness to a biger guage or the boat trailer?

Just the trailer wiring.

we have had Dexter on the trailer since 2007 absolutely flawless ...

The plastic is just a cover on the Brakerite. The body itself is cast AL. or SS.

Do you guys all have steel brake lines on your trailer? I do not, wondering if I'll have to change them out too.

Yes, metal lines

Yes, SS lines required. It's not a hard job at all. I did the last one in my driveway with no tools.

www.championtrailerparts.com sells a kit to do this.

with no tools :eek:

No speciality tools I should say. I didn't need a tubing bender or a flare tool. The kits come sized for your trailer, and the tubing is easily bendable by hand. It comes coiled, so all you have to do is straighten it out for your long runs.

Looks like my job just got a little bigger (fun in the 110* heat). Thanks for the replies/info guys. Sydwayz you've been a big help over the years.

I have been looking at the dexter EOH for a while. I have an older myco trailer with surge brakes and drums. Once I add thid actuator I assume I need to weld the tounge where the surge brakes were. Does the EOH kit tie in directly to my existing lines and drum brakes or do I have to change anything on the drums.

I talked to Dexter today and they said any SAE rated brake line (steel or not) should be rated to withstand the pressure of their actuator. That being said, yes it should hook up to your 3/8" brake line fitting. If you stay with drum brakes you'll need the Dexter 1,000 psi actuator. If you upgrade to disc (I strongly recommend) you'll need the 1,600 psi actuator.

You should weld the surge tongue so it does not extend/retract but from what I understand is not necessary. However, you'll have a smoother set up if you weld it... no clunking or slop.

Alright I got my Dexter 1600 psi actuator ordered today. Next question, has anyone had any luck using this actuator with a 2000/2001 era Tekonsha Voyager brake control unit? I know a lot of guys are using Prodigy but I figured I would see if my current unit will work first. Dexter says the Voyager "SHOULD" work.