I'd tend to agree with Russ.... whatever it takes to make the load. 

I generally tend to wash similar type/weight items together, based on wash temp.  Then within that, whatever it takes to make a load, regardless if a top or front load machine.  I used to wash all my jeans together (when I wore jeans all the time) and if I added something else, it was a similar color or wasn't affected by the jeans fading / bleeding color in the water. Your washer doesn't care of you're washing a load of jeans, a load of scarfs, a load of T-shirts or towels.  Sure a load of heavy items (towels, jeans, etc) will take longer to get up to speed when spinning due to the weight, but aside from that it makes no difference.  I also don't think long-stroke vs. short stroke matters in the least, in relation to what you are washing.   Bottom line, you are over thinking this. 

Now as for DRYING the load... that's a different story.   As I'm sure you know, it's better to dry similar weight items together so they all dry at the same time.

Kevin

I tend to wash jeans by themselves turned inside out with the zippers zipped.   I turn them inside out because I was taught they will fade less and I zip them because I was also taught the open zippers can harm other fabrics.

About the only things I might wash with jeans is maybe socks and underwear as I'm not so concerned about them being damaged by the zippers.  We have a front load BOSCH if that matters for this discussion.

As far as who does the laundry.  Well that's me.  He would jam as much in as he could with little thought to colors, fabrics, etc.  He doesn't go near the washer unless he is washing something of his own by itself and I am AOK with that.

As far as the other stuff, well.  Our division of efforts is pretty simple.  I take care of what's inside and he takes care of what's outside.  Call it whatever you will but it works for us.

In this house when I'M happy then everyone is happy and I own it.  I'm lucky I found someone who is OK with that.

I would add that, in my experience, the most important thing to remember when loading a Helical or an Orbital drive Maytag is to follow their instructions to the letter and DO NOT overload it. Don't pack laundry and fill only to the bottom of the tub collar. Tag's didn't have very powerful rollover and because of the belt slippage, will slow down significantly if the load is too large(or even if the basement is too cold). Not such a big deal during the wash cycle, but if you want any kind of effective rinse, it just ain't gonna happen with an overload.