Dexter Marine Products

Dexter Marine Products: The Standard in Trailer Components Since 1960

Few names carry as much weight in the trailer industry as Dexter Marine Products. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, Dexter has grown into one of the most respected manufacturers of trailer axles, brakes, suspension systems, and related hardware in the world. With more than 3,800 employees across the United States and Canada and 18 manufacturing facilities, Dexter operates at a scale that few competitors can match — and that scale translates directly into consistent, engineering-driven quality for the end user.

What sets Dexter apart is a dedication to serving some of the most demanding towing environments imaginable. Boat trailers face a unique combination of stresses: saltwater corrosion, repeated submersion at launch ramps, heavy dynamic loads at highway speeds, and the shock of uneven pavement. Dexter engineers its marine product line specifically to meet these challenges head-on, offering components with galvanized, zinc-plated, and powder-coated finishes designed to resist the elements season after season.

Across the broader trailer market — covering commercial, RV, agricultural, utility, and marine applications — OEM manufacturers have installed more than 45 million Dexter axles, a figure that speaks to the brand's reliability at scale. Their in-house laboratory conducts rigorous stress, fatigue, and metallurgical evaluations, while computer-equipped test vehicles analyze real-world product performance before anything reaches the market.

A Complete Brake System Under One Roof

One of Dexter's greatest strengths is the breadth of its brake ecosystem. Rather than offering just one piece of the puzzle, Dexter supplies the entire braking chain. At the heart of many hydraulic systems are Dexter's brake actuators — including both surge-style and electric-over-hydraulic designs — that translate towing vehicle deceleration into precise hydraulic pressure at the trailer wheels. These actuators work in tandem with Dexter's extensive lineup of brakes and brake parts, which includes electric drum, hydraulic drum, and hydraulic disc configurations to suit virtually any trailer application.

For trailers that demand the highest stopping performance, Dexter's disc brake calipers feature a fixed, self-adjusting design with easily replaceable pads. The disc brake line spans axle ratings from 3,500 lbs. to 12,000 lbs. and is covered by a 5-year limited warranty, making it a long-term investment in towing safety.

Hubs, Bearings, and the Hardware That Keeps Wheels Turning

Beyond braking, Dexter supplies the rotational hardware that keeps trailer wheels in motion reliably. Their trailer hubs are precision-engineered with corrosion-resistant construction, and many feature Dexter's signature E-Z Lube fittings for straightforward routine maintenance. Complementing the hub lineup, Dexter's wheel bearing and hub assemblies deliver a complete, ready-to-install solution that simplifies both initial setup and replacement down the road.

Whether you're outfitting a new boat trailer, restoring an aging RV axle, or sourcing OEM replacement parts for a commercial fleet, Dexter Marine Products offers an integrated system where every component is designed and tested to work together. That systems-level thinking — from actuator to caliper to hub — is the core of why trailer builders and enthusiasts alike have trusted the Dexter name for over six decades.