Slider Hitch = More Control Backing Up?

C-Bears wrote:
Yes and no. What you are saying is correct. In my younger days I drove truck/tractor/trailers. There was a noticeable difference in backing up a conventional tractor (long nose) and a cab-over type tractor (no nose). When you change pivot points, weather it be the capture plate, the sliding rear axles on the trailer, or a shorter front steer axle difference, you change how that rig handles backing up.

What I believe makes it easier for most folks to back up their FW's is practice, practice, practice, and doing it the exact same every time. I suppose if you were going to slide your hitch back each and every time and always did it that way then it could be a good way to go.

C-Bears, I totally agree with the practice, practice, practice. In recent travels, we camped in wide variety of national, state & private campgrounds in a 33' FW. Some camping sites were very tight and challenging to get into. Having now experimented with maneuvering with slider in back position, I think I would have had far less difficulty with slider back.

You can make the FW react more quickly in less distance. That makes the effort of moving the slider back worthwhile when faced with a tight fit into a campsite. So, not necessary to use slider unless it would be helpful.

I know from speaking with a long time professional truck driver, that the key to backing a FW is all in the set-up. How you pull up and position your rig before backing makes it work or not work. I do need more practice, but when trying to back into a tight campsite, I now know that I have the slider as a tool to help as well. Thanks for your response.