Very good observation, Gene.  On motorcycles and mountain bikes, you've got ability to apply braking force to front and rear wheels independently as needed for the situation.  On a Vanagon, you've only got 1 brake pedal and you get what you get.

Yes, it all has to do with Center of Gravity.  Locking up Front with CG above axle will tend to pitch the CG over, pushing front end down, and in worst case scenario lifting Rear End resulting in no braking on rear at all.

Means....Tintops (low CG and lighter weight overall) are best for braking; PopTops are a little worse; HiTops are worst of all.  Add a bunch of weight high up and things get worse still.

    On Friday, June 11, 2021, 11:45:02 AM PDT, Gene P <olgreywoof@gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 
Not disagreeing with anything here Richard, just picking up on the “practical terms” and your reference to motorcycles and mountain bikes.

  

Rear brakes don’t just “add to the situation”, they are critical and that in practical terms is more obvious on motorcycles and bikes.  Since there the front and rear brakes are applied separately, if you stop the front wheel and let the rear wheel run free, the rear will become the lead wheel briefly, just before the unpleasantness.

  

Normally not so dramatic on 4-wheelers but the principle is the same.  Those rear brakes keep the exhaust pipe behind you where it belongs.

  

From: Richard Koerner
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2021 10:59 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Big Brake options...Front Brakes do 80%

  

> In foggy memories from many decades ago in Physics class, it was clearly explained how the Front Brakes do about 80% or so of the job

>But in practical terms even regarding vehicles like motorcycles or mountain bikes and my experiences with those, I have found that rough estimate to be correct.

> Rear Brakes DO add to the situation, but the brunt of stopping comes from Front Brakes