To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Is this right for you? Product Expert Mike S says:
Flat tow your Honda CR-V safely with this precise, responsive braking system that can be easily switched between towed cars. LED display lets you easily adjust braking power, apply manual override, and monitor the system from your motorhome.
Features:
Specs:
A vast improvement over "on/off," time-delayed braking systems, which brake at a single, pre-set level, the Patriot 3 has a proportional design for precise, responsive braking. The Patriot 3 applies your towed car's brakes with an intensity that matches your RV's braking action. The built-in inertia sensor detects when and how your rig slows down, and it then engages the actuator arm to press your car's brake pedal with an intensity that matches that slowing action. If you slam on the RV's brakes in an emergency situation, your towed car's brakes will respond with the same intensity. If you press the RV's brakes just enough to slow down a bit, your towed car will decelerate in the same way. The result is improved control, better stopping, and less wear on both your vehicle's and RV's brakes.
The beauty of a portable braking system, compared to a unit that installs permanently, is that you can easily switch it between towed vehicles. It's also a great alternative if you own a newer vehicle that you don't feel comfortable modifying. As long as you have a second vehicle breakaway kit (BRK2505 - sold separately), the Patriot 3 can be easily transferred and quickly set up in another car, giving you the freedom to switch up which vehicle comes with you on your next camping trip.
The included controller has an easy-to-read LED display that plugs right into your motorhome's 12V outlet. The monitor slides into the included rubber stand, which can rest anywhere on your dashboard, or it can be mounted with the included hook-and-loop strip.
This unit lets you monitor your braking system while you're driving your motorhome, so you'll always be aware that the Patriot 3 is working and functioning properly. Not only does the controller let you know when the unit is activated, but it will also alert you if the unit inadvertently shifts while you're on the road. This could result in too much pressure being applied to your car's brake pedal, which is why a warning will be sent to the controller so you can pull over and make the necessary adjustments.
As another safety feature, if your towed vehicle ever becomes detached from your motorhome, the screen on the controller will alert you by turning red.
By adjusting the brake sensitivity using the in-cab controller, you can control the force at which your towed vehicle's brakes are applied when the system senses deceleration. The settings range from 1 to 10. The higher the setting, the more force will be applied to your towed vehicle's brakes. For smaller vehicles, you can get by just fine on a lower setting. Larger vehicles, or vehicles with less responsive brakes, will require a higher setting. You can also adjust the force purely to match your personal preference.
The controller also includes a manual override button that automatically activates your towed vehicle's brakes. In addition to serving as a safety measure in an emergency braking situation, the manual override can also help correct sway and fishtailing with your towed vehicle.
The setup for the Patriot 3 is very straightforward. The braking system will fit nicely on the driver's-side floorboard of your towed car and plug into your 12V accessory outlet for power. To position the unit, first move your seat back as far as it will go and set the system in place.
Then clamp the bracket on the arm securely around your brake pedal and twist the knob to lock it on. If your vehicle's floorboard is uneven, the included feet can be attached to the bottom of the braking system and adjusted to create a level surface for the Patriot 3 to operate. Move the front of the driver's seat forward until it's resting gently against the back of the unit. If there's too much pressure on the back of the unit, the lights will turn blue and red during the setup process, letting you know that the driver's seat should be moved back slightly. The back of the unit is adjustable as well, allowing you to raise or lower the butt pad to fit snugly against the front of the driver's seat.
Once the unit is in place, setup is simple. Push the "power" button, and the unit will begin blinking blue and green lights, signifying that it's ready to be set up. Then push the "setup" button, which will let the unit run through a quick testing process. When the power light turns a solid green, the Patriot 3 is ready to go.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (215 Customer Reviews)
Flat tow your vehicle safely with this precise, responsive braking system that can be easily switched between towed cars. LED display lets you easily adjust braking power, apply manual override, and monitor the system from your motorhome.
Second unit in 12 years. If I had just replaced the battery in the old one, I’d still be using it. Purchased this unit and love it. I hope it holds up as well as the last one.
The BlueOx system has worked great. Installation was not terribly difficult... getting the wire through the firewall was the trickiest part... but not too bad. Haven't had any major issues with the system.
Very easy to install and set up. Using this item to flat tow a 2011 Avalanche LTZ. Ordered base plates from etrailer and they too fit like a glove and installtion isntructions were very easy to follow and understand on both of the items. WIll shop again with etrailer!!! You guys rock!.
This product was easy to install on our Jeep Wrangler. We have used it on several trips over the past year, and the system works. However, it gets a little tiresome hooking and unhooking the brake system every time we use the Jeep. If I had it to do over, I would probably spend a little more and purchase the system that just plugs in when you plug the lights to the motor home. Overall the product works as advertised.
Richard - 08/17/2022I’ve had great success with this product. First of all, etrailer had the best price by far. Second, I’ve had great success with this brake system. I have 2 different vehicles I can flat tow and I can use this in either one. Also, it’s quick and easy to set up to tow, takes all of about 2 minutes to set up.
I think I had great customer service. The equipment is great and works well. I have a Jeep Wrangler and the seat is not a power seat. It is difficult for me to lift the bat and move the drivers seat forward or back. I am ok with that however. Next time I will make sure to purchase power seats. Your company did well for me. That is the second time as I bought parts for the awning on a large toy hauler a while back. Great service 2 times in a row is wonderful.
There is no easy way to actually review this, it is not like i am sitting back there watching it when i have to brake hard on my RV. I know that it works, it does engage brakes. The breakaway works.
Two things to note/complain about.
When driving, every now and again (maybe once a day), the controller will beep but have no indication of what it is erroring about. I assume connection wireless or power in the back perhaps, but really have no idea. They should fix it so that if any fault is indicated it displays for at least a few seconds, and that one can go back and see history.
The other thing is sensitivity and force settings. The instructions have no information at all on how to actually gauge what is appropriate. The sensitivity i can see as I am driving, how easily it start applying force, so this i can adjust on a gut. But force? there is no way to test this.
Every single person i talked to or seen videos just set it smack in the middle.
In one sense i don't really want it to kick in unless i am braking fairly hard, and i want it to kick in pretty good when i do so, but i fear the delay in applying may make the actual action less helpful.
I have only had to panic brake once, i drive a 37' class A, my rear wheels locked for a few seconds, back end started coming out. I really have no idea what the flat tow was doing or not, wish i had history from the system and videos etc.
So all in all the product is okay, but it could be better. I dont know of any other system that is better.
Thomas S - 03/25/2022Blue Ox towing system makes towing our vehicle worry-free. Hooking and Unhooking takes less than 5 minutes! Love the Blue Ox!
I ordered all my flat towing equipment from etrailer! Fast service and delivery. After receiving my shipments I notice an item I ordered went down in price I emailed etrailer and asked if I could receive the sale price! To my surprise they promptly and gladly gave me the sale price! That’s customer service you don’t see in todays markets! I will definitely order again from etrailer! Thanks
When I received my order I was missing 4 of the whiz nuts required to complete the installation of the baseplate to my jeep. I contacted customer support for help I was met with no real resolution as Blue Ox seemed to question my integrity on claiming the missing nuts. I ordered over $3k in product and was being questioned over $5 in missing nuts. I had to go buy my own. Very disappointed in Blue Ox and etrailer.
Jenny N - 04/06/2022Parts fit perfectly. Easy installation.
Great product for towing our Jeep Gladi ator
Worked fantastic, no problems. One thing however is the power supply; it connects using a 12v cigarette type plug; these are almost becoming non-existent; would be nice if it would work off a USB connection. This would also be handy if the emergency connection power supply also used a USB instead of having to run a wire through the firewall to a power source.
As usual, etrailer’s price on the braking system was very competitive and shipment was free and prompt. Over the years I have purchased a number if items from etrailer. And I know when I put this braking system into use that if I have any questions or problems I can get help from the experts at etrailer.
Blue Ox is the best product for flat towing a vehicle
This Breaking system is great. I do not know the Ford Ranger is behind me pushing when I stop. No extra pressure is needed on the brake peddle.
David L - 01/15/2022I was skeptical and wondering how it worked. Quick hook up and connection.
Whole ordering process was outstanding!
I selected the Blue Ox Patriot 3 braking system because of the ease of use and the ability to move it to another vehicle if I needed to. Also there was no wiring needed in the towing vehicle. I test drove with the Jeep being towed and everything worked fine. I really liked all the information that the monitor displayed. The etrailer service was excellent and the shipping was quick.
Bryce - 10/23/2021Using in a 2020 Gladiator. Set-up simple and works as advertised. RF controller matched right up and functions as it should. Couldn’t be happier product. Bought because of other positive reviews and reputation of Blue Ox products. Highly recommend!
Ronald - 02/02/2022will update when i get it installed
Katrina B - 12/14/2022setup was a breeze, and a year later the system is still operational - so simple i let my wife handle this part of packing!
Avery thing works perfectly, am very please with the products!!
Haven’t got to use it as of now, but looking forward to being that it’s all self contained
It is a simple way to tow safely. Read all instructions carefully.
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