>
> While trundling around the lake, exploring the area, I was surprised a
> couple times by the brake pedal going to the floor. I could brake if I
> pushed a bit, and could pump the pedal up for normal operation if I
> wanted to. After exhibiting this behavior for about five minutes,
> everything returned to normal.
> ...Before I take her out for our next trip together, though, I bet I
> better
> have this mechanical issue put safely behind me, so . . . what to look
> for?

I had the same thing happen coming down from Cedar Breaks Nat'l Monument
back in May when I forgot to take off the parking brake. You think a Vanagon
going over a 10,000' pass is anemic, you should try it with the parking
brake on too! My rear drums were already in need of some adjustment and the
heat expanded the rear drums such that a full pedal-press wasn't enough to
push the shoes out to the drums. I immediately released the parking brake
and a quick pump of the pedal did the trick just fine to get the van
stopped. Once the drums cooled everything worked fine. Well, it worked as
well as they did before, anyway.

Might be you just need to adjust the rear brakes to "take up the slack".

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"