How to Choose a DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit: Slip-Over vs Integral, Capacity and Axle Count

Choosing a DeeMaxx disc brake kit starts with three questions: Are you keeping a compatible separate hub or replacing it with an integral rotor and hub? What is each axle's capacity? Are you equipping one axle, two axles or three?

A kit can have the right brand and still be the wrong match. Rotor style, spindle and bearings, wheel bolt pattern, stud size and caliper bracket all matter. Start with those details, then choose the finish, bearing brand and actuator package.

Key takeaway

• Slip-over and integral are different wheel-end arrangements. A slip-over rotor uses a separate compatible hub. An integral rotor includes the hub.
• Match the rating of each axle. Southwest Wheel offers DeeMaxx kit families for 3,500, 5,200, 7,000 and 8,000 lb. axles.
• Axle count determines kit quantity, not a different spindle fit. Single, tandem and triple packages serve one, two and three axles respectively.
• Check the complete braking system. The actuator, hydraulic lines, controller where applicable and breakaway equipment need their own compatibility review.

What is a DeeMaxx disc brake kit?

A disc brake uses pads in a caliper to grip a rotor rather than using a brake drum. Hydraulic fluid moves the caliper piston and presses the pads against the rotor. DeeMaxx's instructions cover replacing existing drum brakes or old disc brakes with its disc brake components. To choose a TruRyde drum brake kit by electric vs hydraulic, capacity and axle count, see How to Choose a TruRyde Drum Brake Kit: Electric vs Hydraulic, Capacity and Axle Count.

The wheel-end components include the rotor, caliper, pads, mounting bracket and specified hardware. Contents depend on the listing. For example, the 3,500 lb. DM35KGOLD integral kit is sold for one wheel and includes the rotor and hub, caliper, bracket, pads, bearings, races, seal, cap, wheel nuts and brake-flange mounting hardware. That is not the same purchase as a multi-axle package with an actuator.

Step 1: Choose slip-over or integral

Slip-over: a separate rotor and hub

A slip-over rotor fits over a compatible separate hub. This is the arrangement to investigate if you want to retain a suitable hub rather than buy a combined rotor and hub. Southwest Wheel's 3,500 lb. slip-over selection uses a 10.9" vented rotor; the separate rotor listing does not include the hub or bearings.

Identify the existing hub before ordering. Match its wheel bolt pattern and stud size to the rotor, and confirm the complete hub-and-rotor arrangement with the selected caliper bracket. An existing drum assembly is not proof that you have a suitable separate hub to reuse. Have your installer determine which wheel-end parts can stay.

Integral: the rotor and hub together

An integral rotor combines the brake rotor and wheel hub. Select this arrangement when replacing that combined wheel end or when the planned conversion calls for a matching new rotor and hub. Bearings and seal fit become part of the selection, not just the wheel bolt pattern.

For example, the 3,500 lb. integral DM35KGOLD uses a 10.2" rotor and hub for a #84 axle. Its listed inner bearing is L68149 and outer bearing is L44649. Those numbers describe that kit, not every DeeMaxx assembly. Record your spindle, bearings and seal so the proposed replacement can be checked.

Match the bracket to the rotor style. The 3,500 lb. integral and slip-over listings specify different brackets. Do not select a bracket by capacity alone. DeeMaxx's installation instructions require compatibility with the axle and hub configuration and attach the caliper bracket to the axle flange.

Compare the 3,500 lb. DeeMaxx slip-over brakes and DeeMaxx slip-over and integral rotors.

Step 2: Match capacity, bolt pattern and studs

Use the axle label and existing wheel-end identification. The capacity in these kit families describes the axle application, not the trailer's total weight. For loading and rating questions, see Choosing Trailer Axle Capacity: Hitch Weight, GAWR, Wheels and Tires.

These are listing examples, not a universal interchange chart. Matching eight lugs does not settle stud diameter, bearing fit or bracket fit. The 8,000 lb. package descriptions also identify a specific Dexter or Lippert axle application and brake flange. Confirm your actual axle rather than treating every 8K assembly as interchangeable.

Step 3: Choose single, tandem or triple

A single-axle package is for one axle, a tandem package is for two and a triple package is for three. Each axle still needs the correct capacity and rotor style. A tandem 3,500 lb. kit is not a way to equip a 7,000 lb. axle.

The 3,500 lb. electric-over-hydraulic selections include single, tandem and triple packages in both integral and slip-over styles. The 5,200, 7,000 and 8,000 lb. integral electric-over-hydraulic selections include tandem and triple packages. One-wheel kits are another option, but their quantity and remaining system components must be planned separately.

Check wheel-end quantities as well as the package name. The single-axle DMK35RG1 lists two rotors and calipers; the tandem DMK35IG2-TK lists four rotor/hub assemblies and calipers; the triple DMK8IM3916-TK lists six. That triple package does not include wheel nuts, so verify hardware rather than assuming every package contains the same extras.

DeeMaxx disc brake kits use DeeMaxx DOT brake-line kits as part of the package, so you do not need to add a separate line kit for that purpose. If you are comparing packages, confirm the included lines against the trailer's routing and fittings.

Keep these related choices in order

Electric-over-hydraulic or a hydraulic actuator package?

DeeMaxx explains two ways of creating hydraulic pressure: surge movement at a master cylinder or an electric-over-hydraulic actuator responding to an electrical signal. Southwest Wheel offers 3,500 lb. packages labeled Hydraulic Actuator as well as Electric Over Hydraulic. Confirm the actual actuator supplied and its suitability for disc brakes.

For EOH, DeeMaxx requires a compatible tow-vehicle brake controller set to EOH. There is not a separate triple-axle actuator kit. Use the actuator supplied with the selected disc brake package, or a standalone disc-brake actuator if you are assembling the system from components. The Alpha EOHA1000 is a drum-brake actuator, not the disc-brake choice discussed here. Browse DeeMaxx electric-over-hydraulic actuators.

Gold zinc, MAXX, pads and bearings

Listed gold-zinc caliper examples pair with semi-metallic pads; MAXX caliper examples pair with ceramic pads. Treat finish and pad compound as separate specifications to verify, not substitutes for matching the rotor and axle. Some integral packages offer TruRyde or Timken bearings. Choose the listed bearing option only after confirming the required bearing and seal fit.

Have this checklist ready

• Axle label, manufacturer, capacity and photographs of the existing wheel ends.
• Integral or slip-over plan, including identification and condition of any hub to be reused.
• Spindle, inner and outer bearings, seal, wheel bolt pattern and stud diameter.
• Brake-flange arrangement and the bracket specified for the selected rotor.
• Number of axles being equipped and the package's wheel-end quantities.
• Actuator model, disc-brake suitability, hydraulic lines and included hardware.
• For EOH, controller compatibility, power wiring and emergency breakaway system.

DeeMaxx's EOH manual requires an emergency breakaway system with battery backup; it is not merely an optional recommendation for that actuator. Have a qualified installer review the system, bleed and test it, and follow the instructions for the exact components. Southwest Wheel sells new product; it does not provide installation or brake-bleeding service.

If you are replacing the whole axle instead, Southwest Wheel also lists Dexter axles equipped with DeeMaxx hydraulic disc brakes. Use Build a Complete Dexter Trailer Axle for the broader component-planning discussion, then confirm the selected axle's actual contents.

Follow DeeMaxx's bedding-in procedure

DeeMaxx calls for bedding new pads before severe use. Its procedure specifies 10 moderate stops from 30 mph to about 10 mph, approximately 30 seconds apart, followed by 15 minutes of cooling. Then make five consecutive stops from 50 mph to 10 mph and allow approximately 30 minutes of cooling. Do not drag the pads during the first series. Arrange a safe, suitable location with your installer and follow DeeMaxx's full instructions.

FAQ

Can I use a slip-over kit with my existing hub?

Only after confirming that the separate hub is compatible with the rotor, studs and bracket arrangement and is suitable for reuse. A matching axle rating by itself does not answer that question.

Can I mix capacity kits on a tandem trailer?

Do not use mixed kits as a shortcut. Match each axle's identified application and have the complete braking arrangement reviewed. The listed tandem packages are specified for a particular axle-capacity family.

Can a 3,500 lb. kit go on a heavier axle?

Do not select it for that purpose. The listed 3,500 lb. examples are for #84 axles; heavier families have their own wheel-end specifications. Choose by the actual axle and component fit.

Southwest Wheel - Your Trailers Best Friend Since 1919.

References

• DeeMaxx Disc Brake Installation Instructions: page 1, steps 3-8; page 2, steps 9-15.
• DeeMaxx EOH Brake Actuator Product Manual, revision 3-3-25: page 2 (Important; Correct Installation; Emergency Breakaway System); page 5 (Actuator Installation Instructions; Getting Started); pages 8-9 (Bleeding the Brakes and Adjustment; Testing and Adjustment).
• DeeMaxx How Brakes Work: How do brakes work?; What does bedding-in brake pads mean?
• DeeMaxx EOHA1000: Description.
• DeeMaxx RTR-109-MAXX; RTR/HUB-102-MAXX: Description; Additional information.
• DeeMaxx 3,500 lb. Integral Disc Brake Kit for One Wheel, Gold Zinc Caliper - DM35KGOLD: Description; Product details; Fitment note.
• DeeMaxx DMK35RG1; DMK35RG1ACT; DMK35IG2-TK; DMK8IM3916-TK: Description; Product details; Parts table.
• DeeMaxx Slip Over and Integral Rotors; DeeMaxx Mounting Brackets: product descriptions.
• 3,500 lbs., 5,200 lbs., 7,000 lbs. and 8,000 lbs. DeeMaxx Trailer Disc Brakes; MAXX KIT Electric Over Hydraulic selections; 3,500 lbs. MAXX KIT Hydraulic Actuator selections: kit descriptions.