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Ron & Kerrie · 05-28-2014, 07:15 PM

We are having a Blue Ox tow bar hooked up to our motor home (1999 dutch star dp. We will be towing a 2002 trail blazer. The Blue oz dealer installing it said. He can not find a battery cut off switch kit, because our fuses in our 2002 trail blazer are 40 amp. All he can find are kits that go up to 20 amp. I hope this makes sense. Not sure of all the technical names. But can anyone help or have had this problem, or how to solve it?? I guess for now I have to pull the fuses everytime we tow it. Thanks everyone

cwg · 05-28-2014, 08:39 PM

Google the Battery Brain platinum edition online and it won't matter what fuse system your vehicle has. I have it as well as several others who have purchased it. Excellent product and works from a key fob. Also serves as a theft deterrent as it will disable a vehicle if you wish. When you want. Good luck

edgray · 05-28-2014, 08:41 PM

Perhaps I'm not understanding what you are trying to accomplish, but IMO, we need to know WHY are you trying to disconnect the battery in the Chevy toad? "Installing" a BO tow bar involves nothing more than inserting the tow bar's "stub" into the 2" square receiver on the coach hitch. Even if he is also installing a BO base plate on the Chevy's frame ( to which YOU will connect the tow bar ), neither of those two installations involves your Chevy battery.

In short, I think we need more info to help with you question.
Ed

Rotten-Red · 05-28-2014, 09:15 PM

Why not just run a power wire from the motorhome to the toad battery, that will keep the toad battery charged from the motorhome alternator while traveling. Then you don't need to pull any fuses. The only reason your pulling fuses is to keep the battery from going dead because the ignition key is in the acc. position in order to put the transmission in neutral and or unlock the steering wheel. When the key is in the acc. position the power relays for the windows will draw down the battery.

slabman · 05-28-2014, 10:24 PM

Yes, a battery charge line is the way to go. Be sure to install a 20 amp fuse/breaker near your coach batts and another at the Blazer's battery. A #12 wire from battery to battery will work.

Qwert66 · 05-29-2014, 06:46 AM

We tow a 2002 Trailblazer 4wd with Blue Ox rigging. If yours is 4wd like ours I suggest you find another installer to do the electrical. We do not have to pull any fuses and because the steering wheel does not have a lock we simply remove the key once the tranny is fully disengaged (procedure is in the manual by going to neutral and holding the 4wd selector switch fully clockwise to the hidden position with the emergency brake on - SAFETY READ THE MANUAL)

On the electrical side make sure you get the 7 wire coach to 6 wire car umbilical cord (not 4) and 6 wire plug for the car side. As others have stated then you can keep your car battery charged from the running coach with a 20 amp fused line. This will be required if you are using any supplemental (yes its required) brake controller in the car that ties into the cars electrical and you want to go for more that 6-12 hrs without running the car. With the charge lead you can go as long as you want without starting the car.

The next decision is for your brake/running lights; Portable magnetic stick on lights, adding extra bulbs in the current housing by drilling holes, or using diodes for feeding the current bulbs. Your choice but I recommend using the diode on the current bulbs.

I have installed this entire system mech/el and use the Blue Ox Patroit elecrto/mech brake. Works fine. I did have to run a 12 ga fused hot wire from the coach battery to the coach 7 wire hitch plug (none was provided).
With the key off the car WILL NOT accrue miles when being towed.

When stopping at Wallmart etc. we do REMOVE and STORE the safety cables, coiled wire harness, and brake release cable so they don't walk away at night. We purchased the 3 lock pins (Blue Ox) for the tow bar so no worries there.

Good luck and PM me if you have any questions.

britcon · 05-29-2014, 12:16 PM

Whats wrong with a simple post top battery disconnect ? $ 10.00 at Auto Supply.
Simple installation & use.

Rotten-Red · 05-29-2014, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britcon

Whats wrong with a simple post top battery disconnect ? $ 10.00 at Auto Supply.
Simple installation & use.

That will work if you don't have a supplemental braking system, and don't mind getting under the hood every time you hook and unhook. But you normally need the battery with a braking system.

Winepress · 05-29-2014, 12:57 PM

I also tow a Trailblazer. I will assume yours is 4WD, as 2WD is not towable four wheels down. Depending on what supplemental brake you use, you may or may not need a charge line. I have the RVI brake and it does not require a charge line. Your manual may say to pull fuses, mine does, but it is not necessary. Once the transfer case is in neutral you can put the gear shift in park and remove the key, thus no power drain from the vehicle.
It's a great toad, a little heavy but lots of room and a full frame for safety.
Happy towing!

jfran304 · 05-29-2014, 02:08 PM

Install an Invisibrake by Roadmaster. It has a connection to keep the towed vehicles battery charged. Once installed you don't have to worry about it anymore.

Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories

Jon

roadtraveler · 05-31-2014, 09:16 PM

I agree with Winepress. I have a GMC Canyon and do the same thing. It's an automatic 4 wheel drive. I put the transfer case in neutral and the the transmission in park and away we go. Never even thought about the battery losing a charge. Hope that works for you.

Ron & Kerrie · 06-01-2014, 06:20 PM

Yes it is a 4x4 it won't hurt the tranny, by towing it in part? Even with the transfer case in neutral?

roadtraveler · 06-01-2014, 08:33 PM

It does not hurt mine. When you put the transfer case in neutral and the tranny in park watch it and if your wheels roll and turn then you should have no problem. Also it does not add mileage to your vehicle when you tow it in park.

Winepress · 06-01-2014, 08:38 PM

Your transfer case MUST be in neutral. If not, you will have some serious issues costing $$$. Look in the manual as it has detailed instructions on putting the transfer case in neutral and how to verify.
When the transfer case is in neutral, the driveline is disconnected from the transmission.

Try and live up to your dogs opinion of you.