How many of you out there are running them? Have any of you switched from another brand to this one or switched away from it?We leave in 2 weeks for a 9K mile trip. We just bought a 2015 Wrangler Unlimited. I'm having the Blue Ox plate installed next week with the Avail BX7420 tow bars. I'm still up in the air on brake systems. We have a 38' Fleetwood Expedition coach. Is a brake system even truly needed for the Wrangler? I've done so much looking around at different models that my head is spinning. I love the idea that I can control the Patriot from inside the coach. Kind of a nice feature IMO unless I am just drinking the Kool-Aid. Any help would be great. Thanks everyone!!Harrison

Harrison I got a Patriot to use with my 2014 Honda CR-V EXL. I am very happy with the job its doing. When hooking it up make sure your engine is not running. I left mine running and after taking off and stopping the first time the tires on the Honda skidded about 200 feet before I heard the tire squelling. After this happen I call Blue Ox and support told me never set it up with the engine running. I had a Apolla Blue OX with my Saturn never was happy with it.

No personal experience with the Patriot, but I have a friend in our RV club that does and he swears by it.As far as having a supplemental brake system, remember that many states have either a weight limit (for the toad/trailer) or a stopping distance requirement. And, it only sounds logical to say that a supplemental brake system on a mh/toad combination will stop quicker and in a shorter distance than same combination without a supplemental brake system. Be safe and remember that it's not only your safety you are protecting but those of us that you might have an encounter with.Ron

I use the Patriot braking system with the remote. Tow a 2012 Wrangler. I like it, especially with the remote mounted inside the MH. Very easy to set up. The remote sold me on the Patriot.

I have a Patriot in my Subaru. It is my second Blue Ox brake system. It works very well.The only problem I had was my confusion about it's power. Make sure it is charged up before using it.

Patriot brake system | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

TurboJeep
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015
Thanks for all the feedback. Sadly, mine didn't come in before I left. Came the day we left!! Grrrr... having one of my employees pick it up for me and ship it to one of our future destinations. Supposedly the people who installed my blue ox setup already made the hole for the safety brake away. Hopefully I can figure it out for a self install. Don't think it's too involved.
jwmII
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
I have just received my new patriot. Have not used it yet. I have a SMI Delta Force which is similar to the Patriot in that it pushes on a dead pedal. I like the patriot feature that will enable activation manually by the driver. Delta Force does not do that. Patriot is simpler in its use of an electric linear motor to do the pushing. My original unit that I used for years was an SMI plug and play. It still does a good job but is a little outdated and cumbersome to get setup.
Mody_n_Domy
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
I have used the Patriot on my 12 wrangler for 3+ years about 15,000 miles it does a great job.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
I tow my Liberty w/o brakes,..never had a problem. But I do drive a little defensively knowing that.
bass_n_bob
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
we also have a jeep unlimited and tow with the Avail tow bar and use the Patriot braking system. No problems at all. The Patriot is about 6 years old and we sent it back 2 years ago to have the software updated to the latest version. The folks at Patriot are terrific to deal with. Most people will recommend whatever system they run which indicates to me that they are all pretty good.
rfsod48
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015
You do not have to do anything to the break system of the jeep or mh. The patriot does it all. So far it has worked well for me.
sfalls
Explorer
Jun 12, 2015
Newbie here
I also am considering the patriot, towing a 2014 jeep wrangler. Do you have to do anything to the brake system on the jeep? As in vac. assist the brakes or will the patriot handle the brakes without vac. assist?
jgolden
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
You might want a charge line for the toad battery. When I purchased mine I was told the battery in the Patriot is for reserve only and as you may know the unit needs to be pluged in. Make sure the 12v power plugs in your toad are live when the key is in the access mode with the fuse pulled (if you need to pull a fuse).
My 2015 GMC Terrain only had power to the plug in he "trunk" area when the fuse was pulled. Just needed an extension. Took a while for me to find that fact. Got the answer here on this forum.
tenbear
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
I have a Patriot in my Subaru. It is my second Blue Ox brake system. It works very well.

The only problem I had was my confusion about it's power. Make sure it is charged up before using it.
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
Patriot works well for me.