Tandem Cycling - Brake Mounting Question

Question for the experts! Attached is a photo of my current brake setup. While it works OK it does not stop near as well as my single. Would replacing the v-brakes with a quality duel-pivot brake improve braking?
Is mounting a DP brake possible (or safe) with this rear bridge? I am certain the front fork will except the DP brake. Both will need modification to except the recessed bolt.

The current v-brakes (Tectro RX5) have much shorter arms than standard v-brakes. Could this be part of the problem?
Trying to decide on the best solution. Thanks!

Hello,'
Not sure how powerfull the Tektro are, but i used Shimano XT mtb V brake on my first tandem and I was happy with it. I don't think you coudl mout the rear calipper there, since hole is only there for rear fender or light, it would be hard to re dril the hole and try to line up the calipper plus there is not much material to hold the brake.
My opinion is to get better rear brake like used XTR or XT if yu are budget, you can esy obtain one on Ebay and put new pads on it.
Tandem will have only around 25-30% of stopping power in rear breake ( this brake controls the tandem so is traveling in straight line when you are breaking ) front is where lots of depnd on say 60-70% stopping power is here and it's importand to have good & strong front fork and brake combo, there is lots of weight traveling down the hill and ton of stress on the front brake.
I remember coming thsi 20 miles descent in Cascades and when I was done on the bottom of the hill I noticed my fron wheel was not in the center of the fork anymore?
We stopped and I pulled the front wheel and noticed how my front fork blades were out of line! Man, that scred my pants off!
I used brake quite bit that day and that chaep cro molly fork just got toasted, again lot of weight was going in to the front wheel and somthing had to gave & we were lucky that i noticed early on.

As far as fron brake ( calipper ) I use Dura Ace 10 speed , I haer from other tanem owners that Campy works better ( more rigid and powerfull ) will try it soon since my wife has one on her single.

Best Regards,
I hope this help.

Lescycling

I think i will try a better & longer v-brake. Thanks for the advice on the DP option!

No, don't go longer. Get rid of the travel agent. If you have "short arm" v-Brakes, the travel agent will make your braking feel mushy. At least try it. I should say it is not clear from the photo that you actually have short-arm V-brakes. What is the clearance distance from the tire to the cable?

The arms were much shorter than standard v-brakes. Originally the bike was set up without TA's. That was not a safe setup!!! This afternoon i set the bike up with Avid 7's & travel agents. Rainy day here today. I will give you guys results from the change when i can ride.

I have a Kuwahara and the V brakes did not stop as well as I thought they should. I do not have much experience with tandems but I knew that there should be better brakes somewhere. I did switch to Campy Record dual pivots [front and rear] and they are much better. Was it worth brazing a new brake bridge and having the bike repainted, YES. I am known to be cheap and with the connections in the automotive field [I am a Mercedes, Maybach, and McLaren tech] I was able to get the painting done for free and I brazed the bridge myself. Ebay was good to me but I was not in a hurry for the brakes. I think I paid no more than $100.00 for the upgrade. Best $100.00 spent on the tandem.

The new set-up is much much better than before! The short armed v's just did not have the mechanical advantage the full version. I am Happy!