Blue Ox BRK2019 Patriot 3 Brake System

If you tow 4-down, you need a brake system. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Your TOAD/car/dinghy is valuable. it's connected to your RV by a tow bar. That tow bar shouldn't be the only thing bringing your TOAD to a stop behind your braking motorhome. If you come to an emergency stop in the RV, imagine the amount of force being placed on the tow bar. Your TOAD can be anywhere from about 3000-5000 lbs (or more) and if your tow bar fails and breaks, your car WILL rear-end your motorhome. Also, and probably not least, many states require a brake system when towing. There are different solutions but the one thing that mattered most to me is that my investments are big. The motorhome, the Jeep, the tow bar and the brake system means many tens of thousands of dollars for this toy of ours. What I needed was something I can install. Portability was important too. If you can safely say that you will never or rarely replace your towed vehicle, then maybe a permanent installation is better for you. For me, I like the idea of rigging up my Jeep myself. I don't plan on replacing my Jeep soon, but one never knows. Here's my pro's and con's on my tow solution. Hope this helps: Pro's: - Easy to install: Relatively.. place claw over brake, position Patriot in front of driver's seat, turn on and press "setup" button. Done.. it's ready to go. - Easy to install (part II): the only wiring you need to be concerned with is running the break-away switch wire from the front of the TOAD (towed vehicle) to where the Patriot will operate. Also, make sure your power port is configured to be always hot, even when the key is in the off position. - Easy to operate: Essentially, set up like mentioned in the previous bullet. Place the control unit in the RV. That's it. No wires, no other setup. It just works. - Portable: Unlike permanently installed options which disappear under the dash and there when you need them, this device can be removed and replaced. This is good to protect your investment should you wish to replace your TOAD (towed vehicle). Cons: - Not "that" easy to install: You're working in limited space. Once set up, you have to remove and re-setup to operate your vehicle, or if the Patriot power is disconnected. - Expensive: Comparing to other 'permanently installed' devices, it's pricey. Initial cash outlay may be an issue.

I spent the last 25 years towing vehicles without any braking assist in the tow vehicle. I guess I was lucky with not having any accidents or tow issues. My RV is a 24 ft Class-C currently towing a 2-door Jeep Wrangler. It isn’t a heavy vehicle but my last couple of trips have been 2000+ miles and with all the trucks on the road there have been some sticky moments. I have noticed that stopping distance isn’t all that great and I was reminded that tow bars can break if subjected to enough force. I decided to look into brake assist options for the Wrangler and decided on this product. I just completed another 2000 mile trip and I have to say I was glad I had this product installed. Installation is easy and it worked like a champ. I didn’t have any emergency stopping situations but my stopping distance was noticeably improved with this product. I would recommend this product to anyone looking to add a brake assist function to their tow vehicle.

I have owned three different brake systems for my toad. We pull a 2008 Chrysler Aspen behind our 43' motor coach. First let me talk about the installation... with the other systems, it will take time to install all of the power connections to make it work on work on your vehicle. There are several systems that have you connecting to batteries and brake relays. With the Blue Ox, you only need constant power from your cigarette outlet and a line to the breakaway switch. And if you not into running line thru the engine compartment to connect the breakaway, you can simply mount the switch on the tow plate and run the line outside the engine to the driver's side window. And the setup is simple...attach the unit to the brake pedal, power on the unit, hit test and you are ready to tow. The display unit in the motor home is easy to read and the adjustment are simple to make. Any brake system is going to come at a cost. And all of them will be essential to the your safety and the vehicle you tow. With the Blue Ox, you will get all of this and a simple installation and use. It was an easy choice for me.

Only used this once, but it worked perfectly. Takes a little to install and since I have a six speed jeep had to put it in fifth gear.

Good quality product and works well, but can be extremely temperamental based on how it’s placed on a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s floorboard. Sometimes it takes ten times of repositioning the Blue Ox II to get it to give you the green light. Meaning it’s ready to go. You also have to push the drivers chair back and forth a variety of times before it accepts that position too. Another person saw me struggling with it and told me he couldn’t deal with its temperament, and after a short time got rid of it. Still not sure if I can recommend it. I’m on the fence.

I had no dislikes at all. I was very pleased with this product. I had a different brand before and it was much larger and cumbersome. This one was great

I realize it’s a bit pricy. Compared to other options I like this the best as it is so easy to put in and take out. Sensitivity and linear breaking is excellent.

Read all instructions. Towed over 6,000 miles including through the Grand Teton pass, many mountains and valleys, worked as advertised. I especially like the how the display in the RV cockpit shows when it breaks as it senses the kinetic energy of slowing down and braking of the RV and connected jeep to apply jeep brakes for overall assisted braking.