Outer Limits 4x4 Board

This issue came up on another forum and i thought I'd put it to this board.
The handbrake on a Land Rover is a drum brake mounted on the transfer case. In the past, to overcome the piss poor engine braking of my RR I would apply the handbrake maybe 2 notches or more depending on the steepness of the hill. I found that this was a really good way to slow the speed down without having to apply the footbrakes and risk locking the wheels up.
I have not noticed any abnormal wear on the pad and I have been told that doing this my handbrake is actually in better condition than most at a similar age.

Heat buildup was the concern mentioned on the other forum but I haven't noticed this as being a problem.

Anyway, do people with similar setups use the same technique or is there some good reason why it shouldn't be done?

I'll continue to use this technique because i think it works well, but just thought I'd get some discussion going on various driving techniques.

i used to do the same thing in an old series 2 i had and a G60, and it worked a treat, i never had any negative side fx.

as it works evenly on all 4 wheels and at the transfer case instead of the ground i couldn't nor can i see any problem with it causing a wheel to break traction

Stu

I don't use the handbrake in my MK. With my new motor and gearbox with a lower 1st gear I have to accelerate downhill. With the old driveline it would redline down hill if I didn't use the brakes, still only used the foot brakes though.

Ive used this technique once, when i took my rig into the local brake guru for a power brake bleed and had no brakes. the handbrake worked really well for this, and didnt get hot, though i did pull it on a little fast on 1 occasion and my diff definatly didnt like it but no probs there, and this was a few months ago

screwy