During JOGLE, we Klubbers had an interesting experience. Four of us
> had to descend a steep 25% hill over two miles, sadly stuck behind an
> inconsiderate git in a Civic, who wouldn't let us pass, between 10
> and 20 mph on the brakes all of the time, even in the straight bits. >
> Kermit has vented front disc brakes, which I take it are designed to
> lose heat nice and quickly, even at low speed.
>
> The drum brakes, however, I believe are not as efficient at losing > heat.
>
> So at such a low speed with lots of weight in the back, and with a
> reasonably constant pressure, would I be right to assume that the
> front discs would have been chucking out lots of heat, but the rear
> drums would have probably gotten hotter?
>
> For what it's worth, the Ford standard non-vented disc braked Ka was
> cooking the front brakes at the bottom, but Kermit's braking was just
> fine and they didn't even smell bad.
No, the rear brakes don't do nearly as much work as the fronts - in the scenario you describe the fronts would get hotter.
I would not expect you to need to do much braking descending between 10 and
20mph in 1st gear any way.