How Does Blue Ox Patriot Braking System Determine How Hard to Apply Vehicle Brakes

Updated 06/22/2026 | Published 06/11/2026

Question:

I am still confused. This braking system offers proportional braking,inch I assume as an immediate direct response from the towing vehicles brake pedal? I have a trailer brake controller on the tow vehicle, with a 7-way x 6-way connection to the tow vehicle. There is an available blue wire, that is unused on the 6-way receptacle. 1 So with this Blue Ox Braking System BLU37TR installed, it has the standard brake-away connection, and a 12V power connection. But there is no hard-wired brake pedal signal. 2 Then I get the wireless connection to the Tow Vehicle For a can I pressinch a brake ONinch button, and I can see if the brakes are applied correctly feedback on the display? But again there is no hard-wiredinch connection from the wireless display to the tow-vehicle brake module circuit The blue wire. So if 1 and 2 above never connect to the braking systems available usually provided by a Blueinch wire elegantly available on both vehicles, when I hit the brakes on the tow vehicle, where is the BLU37TR get its proportional signal, and what is its delay before activation, or duration, or release of this proportional braking? My towing vehicle truck has a GVWR ~14,000. And so does the flat tow follower. Brakes are important that they work, much like an electric brake heavy trailer. Is the a missing connection? Is the system need a connection to the blue wire circuit on either vehicle?

asked by: Richard

Expert Reply:

Hey Richard, the Blue Ox Patriot part # BLU37TR uses an inertia sensor to detect how hard you apply the tow vehicle brakes and then applies a relative amount of braking pressure on the towed vehicle's brake pedal. You do not need to try and integrate into the brake output circuit of your 7-way at all as it works independent of it.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Dana M.

6/16/2026

Jameson has explained it correctly. It is not electrically connected to tow vehicle in any way. It acts totally independent. Works just fine. Only needs a power source and a breakaway switch that has a mechanical cable attachment to the tow vehicle. I do not know what the "inch" term is referring to? Dana.

Jameson C.

6/16/2026

@DanaM the "inch" is a goof up in our system. We have certain symbols like quote marks blocked and it will convert them to "inch". It's goofy.

Matthew D.

6/19/2026

Richard, It is not like an electric trailer brake where the blue wire sends a signal to the trailer brakes to apply. As said it senses the inertia or towing vehicle stopping then applys the brake by pushing an arm forward which is attached to the pedal of the toad vehicle. Works well and I had no issues slowing down with the toad. The wireless monitor allows you to add or remove brake pressure to the pedal as well has a panic button which allows you to apply full brakes to the toad if needed with the press of the button. Hope this helps