Can you use the manual override in Blue Ox Patriot?

[KTM251ss]

My question is related to model 2012 Blue Ox Patriot. On the remote sensor control inside there is a lever on the bottom you can push to apply the toad brakes manually. What I want to know is for example while doing down a hill if i want to add braking from the toad to keep us slowed down can i use that option? Has anyone used it before and in what situations? The owner's manual says it can be used for example in rainy wet roads, but nothing about helping to slow going down a hill in tow haul.

[LJowdy]

Are you asking if the manual over ride can be used as the "sole" source of braking while driving? In other words, as you descend a hill, you want to use the brakes in the vehicle being towed to slow down the coach?

Think about it, first off the answer is "yes" but risky.

So my question is this: Do you want to try to slow down a huge coach with tiny brakes (in comparison to the brakes on your coach) and risk a major brake overheating issue?

From time to time, I can understand manually applying the brakes in your towed vehicle but as a primary source of braking (especially going down hill) isn't recommended.

Try applying the brakes in your coach and fan them in such a way that you slow down the coach/vehicle below your intended travel speed.

As the coach increases speed beyond your intended travel speed repeat the process. By doing this, you're not putting an excessive load on your towed vehicles braking system as it is only working in conjunction with the brakes on the coach

[KTM251ss]

Originally Posted by LJowdy

Are you asking if the manual over ride can be used as the "sole" source of braking while driving? In other words, as you descend a hill, you want to use the brakes in the vehicle being towed to slow down the coach?

NO, I was asking if while on the brakes on the RV can i ALSo use the manual override as well to help slow us down, while I am ALSO using the TOW/Haul function with transmission braking.

Sometimes on these long down hills I get uncomfortable with the speed and just trying to knock it down while not smoking the RV brakes. I am not suggesting using the toad brakes exclusively, they would just be very unwise and dangerous.

Just want to know if the toad brakes can slow me down a bit, they don't always activate when I want them to.

[LJowdy]

If you're manually activating the brakes while apply brake pressure to your coach that's ok but there's something wrong with your brake system because the brakes in your towed vehicle should apply when you're applying the brakes in the coach.