Picked up a New Blue Ox Patriot at the RV show today

[overdrive75]

As the subject says. With previous motorhomes, towing a 1999 Jeep Cherokee (xj) never felt the need for it.

With this motorhome 2003 Winnebago Minnie 29B we are pulling a 2001 Blazer LT 4 door 4x4. Did about 2000 miles last summer san's towed brakes. And the stopping felt marginal, not like our previous unit and towed set up. Brakes are good on all 4 corners of the Winnie.

So researching brake units, and the Patriot seems like the best option for us, as well tow the Blazer mostly (woods/offroad toy). But occasionally will pull our Traverse (getting a base plate from a friend when he turns his lease in). So brake in a box can be used in both cars.

So what is everyone's opinion, did I make a good purchase. Price was really good.

[j-d]

I'd say call Blue Ox. I we have Brake Buddy, similar concept. To me, it's a Ford/Chevy debate I don't want to play into since I believe the quality is equal. The BB Vantage Select we have has three adjustments: Air Pressure, Braking Sensitivity, and Full or Proportional. Those govern When, How, and How Hard to apply the toad brakes.

Does the Blazer have the common vacuum-assisted "power brakes" or the new "active braking system?" If it's got Active/smart brakes, the rules might be different than for traditional brakes. I'd expect (at least with BB) to need more PSI to get more apply pressure to help stop Blazer's extra weight, but the system should still apply. Our first BB was a "Classic" that didn't offer Proportional braking, only "Full" and Full is what I still use. With sensitivity fairly high, like 5 on a scale of 8, and Full Braking, I can see it kick in on the monitor and feel the slowing when I brake firmly or sharply.

But I DO know that BB doesn't want floor mats in place. Also found the seat needs to be as close to the brake pedal AS the unit can fully retract its pusher arm and still have a little breathing room. By that I mean less than 1/2" and I'm usually at around 1/4".

WinTasca 29B is a very heavy "29-foot" coach, probably as heavy as our 31-foot Jayco, maybe more. I replaced the front brakes with the bigger ones Ford started using on 2008 and newer model years. Bought a "take-off" axle and brakes from Quigley Motors (Quigley 4x4) in Pennsylvania. If your axle (including ball joints and bushings) is in good shape, the late model brakes will install in place of your smaller ones. I opted to change it all out, and that provided their later model Radius Arm.

With the bigger brakes, and Brake Buddy in the toad, the braking I want/need is always there. That was not the case with the OEM front brakes on the E450, and those brakes had been totally rebuilt. Rotors surfaced, new pads, rebuilt calipers, new hoses. Simply NO comparison to the feel and performance of the later model front brakes.

[afrescopXx]

Call Blue Ox Customer Support. They are fantastic and will guide you through proper setup.

[overdrive75]

Sorry for bringing up an old thread. Used my patriot for the first time this past week on a trip from MI to PA. Well needless to say I got no false activations, actually it never came out on all. Had some issues trying to stop in the Ohiopyle area of PA getting to the campground. If I had one more downhill I was going to unhook the blazer and my wife was going to drive it.

What am I doing wrong, if I was braking going downhill shouldn't this Patriot be braking as well. I also noticed coming off the freeway I am not getting any activation either. I went through the install thing and got the ready message.

On the drive home I tweaked the position with the feet on the unit, I dialed the gain up from 5 to 7 and I adjusted it to max sensitivity. I would intermittently get a brake active message, like the one time on the turn pike in Ohio pulling into the service plaza for gas. Other than that yet again no activation.

Anybody have any ideas?

[overdrive75]

Thanks for the insights no the charge line.....not sure what I am going to do about that one yet. The plug on the back of the RV has it

[tenbear]

I have used a Patriot for several years, without a charge line. The only time I have had a problem was when I left the lights on. I keep planning to add a charge line but so far its still a plan.

[WyoTraveler]

I've been using the Blue Ox Patriot for 2 years. I like it. I like the remote. Blue Ox is a good company. All that said, I run a charge line from my MH. Don't know if I need it or not but I'm just overly cautious. I just use 3 diodes in parallel from Radio Shack. The diodes are 6 amp diodes. I've never measured more than 10 amps charge rate. I mounted them in a small plastic box from Radio Shack. It works for me.

[williamp321]

I use the patriot with my 2014 Honda CR-VEL.I have no problem useing it at all. A big plus use have a monitor at the drive side seein when it come on.