Break away safety switch

As mentioned the break away switch is part of an onboard system to activate the towed vehicle brakes in the event that it's separated from the tow vehicle. We use a Roadmaster 9060 braking system for our gas motorhome. The 9100 is used on motorhomes with air brakes. They're essentially the same system. The only difference is the 9100 uses air from the coaches system to activate the brakes on the towed vehicle, while the 9060 uses an onboard compressor.

Both systems have the same break away system as an option. The system consists of a small air reservoir, a solenoid, a break away switch, and the related plumbing and wiring to activate an air cylinder attached to the brake pedal. The system is powered by the towed vehicle battery.

If the key is removed from the break away switch the solenoid is activated. The solenoid shuts off the air coming from the tow vehicle and opens a valve that allows the air stored in the onboard reservoir to flow to the brake pedal cylinder. The brake pedal cylinder is activated and applies the towed vehicle brakes.

All braking systems that use an air cylinder to activate the brake pedal in the towed vehicle use a similar system. Those that use a surge brake system have a different break away system.

Not sure about the Blue Ox product, but almost all supplemental brake systems are designed to use some sort of break away brake activator. Here is a link to one similar to what came with my system back when we had an air brake coach. An air cylinder onboard the toad was used to activate the brake pedals air cylinder in a break away situation...

Emergency Breakaway