Blue Ox BX8881 - Manual

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BRAKELOCK INSTALLATION
Congratulations! You are the owner of the latest in safety equipment available for towing vehicles "four-wheels-down".
The Brakelock may be the most valuable towing safety feature you own, that you may never use. When installed properly, the
Brakelock will apply the brakes of the towed vehicle and keep them applied, in the event that the towed and towing vehicles
become separated during towing. Automatic Equipment sincerely hopes this never happens, but the Brakelock will give you
additional peace of mind while towing.
Some states and Canada REQUIRE the use of a device that applies the towed vehicles brakes in case of disengagement
from the towing vehicle. The Brakelock fulfills this requirement. Check your state and local laws regarding this issue.
IMPORTANT: The Brakelock DOES NOT aid in stopping the towing unit during normal day to day towing, only the towed
vehicle if it becomes disengaged. The Brakelock can be installed on a towing system that is utilizing an AutoStop. It can be
installed in conjunction with a motorhome-mounted or a ball coupler style tow bar.
Read and understand the following installation and hook
up instructions thoroughly before attempting to install the
Brakelock.
1. Hook the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle for towing.
If a self aligning tow bar is being used, be sure both
arms, or chains, are fully extended to the locked towing
position.
2. Refer to Figure 1 for part names while installing.
Check the front of the towed vehicle for a suitable
location to mount the Brakelock. The Brakelock must be
mounted securely to the towed vehicle. Keep in mind
that the brake cable and connector cable should be as
straight as possible when the installation is completed.
Usually, the Brakelock can be mounted behind the grill
to a sound structural part of the frame. (Figure 3) Two 1/
4 x 1 1/2 bolts have been included for this purpose. Two
9/32 holes will need to be drilled in the towed vehicle for
mounting the Brakelock.
3. Once the Brakelock has been mounted, the brake cable
housing can be installed. Visually select a route that will
not interfere with any moving components or possibly
contact electrical terminals and will lead the cable
housing from the Brakelock to the general area where
the steering column goes through the floor of the towed
vehicle.
4. From the drivers seat note the distance and direction
from the steering column to the brake pedal when the
brake pedal is fully depressed. This will normally be a
little below and a little inboard of the steering column.
Mark a spot on the carpet with chalk where the cable
should pass through the floor after making a loop around
the brake pedal arm. (Figure 2) Measure the distance
and direction and confirm that a drilled hole will not
interfere with anything as stated in Step 3. When
selecting the location for the hole, it should be positioned
so the cable is pulling straight away on the brake pedal
arm, not to either side and not up or down. (Figure 2)
Figure 1