Steep hills and brake controllers

[boobook]

I plan to travel in the high country with my camper on some fairly steep tracks, and am wondering how my brake controller will perform.

I have a P3 which has been great on road and most tracks, but I was looking for some feedback on how the P3 will perform at low speed ( 5kmph) down steep hills when I put the brakes on, especially if the track is a little slippery. If I understand it correctly, the brakes won't come on in the trailer because there will be little or no deceleration. I am worried that the trailer will push me down the hill.

Does anyone have any experience with a P3 on steep, slippery hills like this? I know I can apply brakes manually but would prefer it to happen when I put the brakes on and have the trailer pulling the vehicle up as much as possible. I have been a critic of the timer style controillers such as the Redarc in the past, but wonder if these are more suitable when in the above situation.

Any feedback would be welcomed.

PS I am not seeking opinions on the suitability of trailers on these tracks.

[D4D]

Manual feathering of the lever is the way to go

[boobook]

While I will of course do that, I would also like to fully understand how the controller will operate by it's self, it can get busy with the steering wheel and I would prefer to keep both hands on that as much as possible.

[xvprado]

the controller relies on decelleration and brake force, so it will still work
on a wet slippery track you will need it turned down very low, it is very difficult to avoid brake lock up on the trailer under these conditions

Far better to use engine braking as a primary source of control, quite frankly if you need to pull up on a wet clay based high country track, that will give you more control

[Finners]

it is very difficult to avoid brake lock up on the trailer under these conditions

Found this out last time in the Vic High Country. Very easy to lock up the trailer brakes (ripping chunks of rubber off the tyres). But with a heavy CT, often no choice but manually feather (no foot brake being used - relied on L1 and the compression of the diesel - but weight of CT would over-rev the motor so some manual feathering required). Do have the voltage turned down to avoid lock up when you do touch the foot brake.

One hand on wheel and 1 on the controller - not ideal of course - but very doable.

[cm4x4nut]

I have also found it handy to increase the "boost" setting. This seams to bring the trailer brakes on slightly earlier than the cars brakes and helps keep all things tracking straight.

Cheers,