Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:42:31 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Braking Distance
In-Reply-To: <MWHPR22MB012896D8B413988B51F69FCFBA440@MWHPR22MB0128.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Interesting! Got a speeding ticket once and had to go to driving school to
avoid a mark on my record. Ticket was going to cost me 50 bucks at the time
and a mark on the records, or I could pay $50 for the school and no marks.
I CHOSE THE LATTER. Pro drivers taught the course. I learned a lot. One
thing I learned that I practice to this day, and that is the long count
three second rule, to be applied at any speed. It will always give you safe
separation from the car in front of you and provide a safe stopping
distance. You note a point where the car in front of you passes, then
adjust your own speed to pass that same point 3 counts later , 1001, 1002,
1003, etc.Works for me. Has for years. There will always be some a-hole who
will take advantage of your spacing, but just let him go. Not worth it to
fuss. Re-establish safe distancing on the count of three.
On Sun, Aug 9, 2020 at 10:37 PM David Boan <dboan@outlook.com> wrote:
> Interesting, thank you. The Westy weighs 35% more than the `80 tintop
> (5160 vs 3280), and I asume that does not include liquids. 10:1 rule is
> weight at the wheels so need a formulae for how increased vehicle weight
> increases braking distance.
>
> Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>
> ________________________________
> From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2020 9:08:43 PM
> To: David Boan <dboan@OUTLOOK.COM>; Vanagon Mailing List <
> vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> Subject: Re: Braking Distance
>
> Here's a link to a reprint of Car and Driver's test of the 1980 passenger
> Vanagon, and the specs show a braking distance for 70-0 MPH as 214 feet.
> Later tests for different models and weights might show different numbers.
>
> Tested: 1980 Volkswagen Vanagon L Proves to Be a Worthy Follow-Up to the
> Original Type 2 VW Bus<
> https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32437946/tested-1980-volkswagen-vanagon-l/
> >
>
> <
> https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32437946/tested-1980-volkswagen-vanagon-l/
> >
> Tested: 1980 Volkswagen Vanagon L Proves to Be a Worthy Follow-Up to the...
>
> From the Archive: The flower children's bus grows up.
>
> Stephen
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sunday, August 9, 2020, 04:02:25 PM EDT, David Boan <dboan@outlook.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Vanagon Types,
>
> I am working on establishing a basis for assessing the braking on my '85
> Westy. I just did the following braking distance test to see if I need to
> make improvements. Unfortunately, I have no baseline to compare to, so I
> am hoping someone may know what a completely stock Westy would do and how
> much improvement might be expected by customizing the brakes.
>
> I used the AAA stopping distance chart minus the allotment for reaction
> time. At 30 mph the braking distance would be 45' and at 40 mph it would
> be 80'. Some charts have slightly different numbers.
>
> For this test my Westy was empty except for a full tank of gas. The
> brakes are stock except for slotted front discs. The wheels are 16" with
> new 215/70/60 tires. I sped up to the target speed, hit the brakes when I
> got to my marker and braked hard but did not lock up the wheels. The
> numbers are not exact given I had no help doing this and had to watch the
> speed and the road marker. I was on flat dry pavement on a cool morning.
>
> I did each speed twice and got the same numbers each time. At 30 mph I
> stopped in 40' (benchmark being 45'). At 40 mph I stopped in 108'
> (benchmark 80'). I want to do this at 60, but have not located a safe
> place to do it. I wonder if the increase over benchmark at 40 mph is a
> trend, which would suggest even longer braking distance compared to
> benchmark at highway speeds.
>
> I have always allowed extra stopping distance, but this gives me more of a
> reference. I would add 35% to the standard spacing between vehicles when
> empty, at least 50% when loaded. That is not always practical given you
> cannot account for what other drivers do, so it seems that bringing down
> the stopping distance when driving at highway speeds would be a good
> investment. I assume a big brake kit would bring it down, but I have no
> idea how much. My mechanic questions the value of adding rear disc brakes
> since the front do most of the braking.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions or other experience or measurements.
>
> Dave B.
> Boise
>
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