How Does a Blue Ox Patriot Braking System Know When You're Braking?
Updated 06/23/2026 | Published 06/17/2026
Question:
How does the Blue Ox Braking System know you are applying the brakes when I dont see any physical wiring connection to the motorhome braking system?
asked by: Thomas M
Expert Reply:
Hi Thomas, thanks for sticking with me as we work through all the details of your setup and thats a great question.
It's one that comes up quite a bit because there isn't a brake signal wire running between the motorhome and the Jeep. Blue Ox systems like the Patriot part # BLU37TR use an internal accelerometer that senses deceleration. When the system detects the motorhome slowing down, it sends a wireless signal to the braking unit in the towed vehicle, which then applies the brake pedal. In other words, the system is reacting to how quickly the motorhome is slowing rather than relying on a direct connection to the motorhome's brake pedal.
The wireless monitor in the motorhome allows you to keep an eye on the system and see when the brakes in the towed vehicle are being applied. This gives many people peace of mind because you can confirm the system is doing its job during normal braking events. One thing to keep in mind is that the system is designed to respond to actual deceleration, not simply when you lightly touch the brake pedal.
There is one physical connection involved, and that's the breakaway cable. If the towed vehicle were ever to become disconnected from the motorhome, the breakaway system would immediately trigger full braking in the towed vehicle to help bring it to a stop.
(click to enlarge)
Katherine
6/19/2026
Patriot brake works great. Towed thousands of miles with it.
Martin K.
6/19/2026
It has an inertia sensor that will detect that you are breaking and apply breaking to the toad vehicle. It is built in the box and there is no wiring. It is self contained.
Steve S.
6/19/2026
Once installed and you open a few short drives around your subdivision or similar to get familiar with it, the system works well. You will want to place the Coach monitor in a location you are able to see it clearly from the drivers seat, as it's the main means (other than the seat of your pants) of monitoring when the toad's brakes are applied. For us in our Class A Diesel Pusher towing a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2023), it was comforting knowing additive braking was available, particularly for emergencies, and for some of the mountainous long down-hill grades.
Heather A.
6/20/2026
Tim H.
6/19/2026
I found this unit to be useless. I tried it for six months constantly have problems. I even added the plastic expensive Velcro piece to add to the seat to keep it from crushing the front seat but. It just couldn’t get it to work so don’t buy it is my recommendation and save your money towards going with the Air Force One air system. I know it is only conductive to one vehicle at a time but you gotta pick one vehicle you’re gonna take if you’re gonna tow.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Flat Tow Brake System
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Every-Trip Setup
- Built-In Battery
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Wireless Display
- Blue Ox
more information >
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William Y.
6/19/2026
Wonderful product…we towed our Jeep Wrangler for thousands of miles…never a hiccup and gives peace of mind.