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Don2 · 07-30-2024, 05:27 PM

Notice: Check the cigarette male style plug from the Patriot that you plug into a receptacle on the dash/counsel/etc. If it comes apart or other wise fails and you try and replace/repairs the plug, there is a device/electronic system inside the Patriot that renders the unit inoperable. You have to send it back to the factory for repeair/replace/whatever. Someone explain to me why Blue Ox would put a "device' in the Patriot that will render a safety device--to my knowledge every state in the Union and all provinces of Canada require an auxiliary barking system (depending on the weight of the tow) as a safety device--that renders the safety device inoperable? BTY if stopped by police and the device is not working, you are subject to fines and maybe other penalties. Makes no sense to me and I have over 40 years of safety experience. TKIA. Don

craigd853 · 07-31-2024, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don2

Notice: Check the cigarette male style plug from the Patriot that you plug into a receptacle on the dash/counsel/etc. If it comes apart or other wise fails and you try and replace/repairs the plug, there is a device/electronic system inside the Patriot that renders the unit inoperable. You have to send it back to the factory for repeair/replace/whatever. Someone explain to me why Blue Ox would put a "device' in the Patriot that will render a safety device--to my knowledge every state in the Union and all provinces of Canada require an auxiliary barking system (depending on the weight of the tow) as a safety device--that renders the safety device inoperable? BTY if stopped by police and the device is not working, you are subject to fines and maybe other penalties. Makes no sense to me and I have over 40 years of safety experience. TKIA. Don

Hi Don, what year blue-ox are we talking about. Mine is 8 years old and the black power plug cracked in half on our last trip. I stopped by Walmart picked a new one up on the cheap and wired it where the existing plug was and away I went. Maybe the new models have what you are talking about but I have not heard of this. I'm sure someone might be along here shortly to shed some light on this. The only devise inside I'm aware of is a back up battery other wise if there is no 12 volts applied unit will not work. Good luck

Archer2 · 07-31-2024, 05:04 PM

Hey Don2, can you clarify whether you are talking about the 12V power cord connector that powers the unit that actually does the braking inside the towed vehicle or do you mean the 12V power connector that powers the brake system remote control/status display device inside the towing vehicle?

Don2 · 08-01-2024, 06:15 AM

It is the power cord for the unit that does the actual braking. Per Blue Ox, over $200.00 repair cost and 4-6 week turn around or go buy a new unit for over $1,300 bucks. Wrote email to CEO asking why this defeat system--no response. The gent on the phone at Blue Ox had no good answer to the same question.

Archer2 · 08-01-2024, 09:05 AM

Hey Don2, sorry for the “20 questions” but if you can also clarify whether you are talking about the original Patriot system or the newer, current Patriot II? And I agree that, if you are correct, I can’t imagine any safety-related reason this would be the case.
If you don’t mind, can you describe how you came to be aware of this? Isn’t it more likely that you may have mis-wired a replacement connector or perhaps the tiny little inline fuse inside the new connector may be blown or even missing? Have you called Blue Ox tech support?

Archer2 · 08-02-2024, 08:49 AM

I have been wanting to check whether I could replace my old Patriot remote control unit with a new Patriot II-style so I called Blue Ox Tech Support (and they said absolutely NO on the control unit question) but while I had them in the phone I asked them if there was some kind of device installed that would prevent one from using a generic 12V replacement connector. The Blue Ox guy said that there is no such device and the connector can be replaced with any replacement connector of the same kind.
So I’m curious. What did you see that made you think that the original plug couldn’t be replaced?

CWSWine · 08-04-2024, 06:09 PM

My accessory plug broke while traveling, and I cut the cord off of an accessory plug extend cord and put on the cord with a couple of wire splices. I have been using it for over a year without any problems.