New Patriot Braking System

Blue Ox’s new Patriot system offers easy,
convenient way to smooth tow braking.

PENDER, Neb. — The Patriot from Blue Ox is an all-new electric-powered braking system designed to provide more sensitive braking performance for vehicles in tow. This lightweight and compact unit is also easy to store and use.

Instead of the sudden all-on or all-off braking of typical air compression systems, the Patriot system electronically coordinates with the motor home brakes to apply appropriate, proportional braking for all tow vehicle wheels, allowing for smoother deceleration and less wear on the brake pads.

At 15 pounds, the Patriot is half the weight of similar units. With an electric actuator instead of an air cylinder, it eliminates pumps, tanks and air hoses that can malfunction or leak. It has its own battery that allows it to supplement any uneven power flow from the towed vehicle to provide consistent and reliable braking at all times. The battery also allows the braking system to operate independently from the motor home’s power source should a tow connection be lost. It is recharged through the twelve volt supply of the tow vehicle.

The Patriot is controlled by an in-coach wireless RF remote with an easy-to-read LED display that provides a manual brake lever and a gain adjustment that can alter the amount of braking. The display also provides feedback about when the tow brakes are engaged and any communication issues that exist between coach and tow vehicle braking.

Placement and set-up of the Patriot is easy with its top-mounted carrying handle and unique, easy-to-use brake pedal clamp. Large surface push-pads on the unit provide a snug fit between brake and seat.

Push-button self-calibration is easy. The unit itself has an LED display panel complete with set-up button, break-away plug-in, manual adjustment for sensitivity, on/off switch and an auxiliary 12-volt outlet.

“We think this is a big step forward in terms of providing a quality tow braking system through a very lightweight, easy-to-use unit,” said Blue Ox President Jay Hesse. “Towing needn’t be complicated or hard on the tow vehicle with the right products. Our evolving technology keeps answering the call of what RVers want.”