Ive been driving waggon and drag for last 18 months and have become really experienced with it, Somebody said to me on here If I can drive waggon and drag an artic should be a breeze ? Whats everybodys thoughts ? Cheers topcat
Yes Im W&D. Both have their pros and cons. An artic can spin around far easier than W&D. Although revering a drag into a tight site seems easier.
Topcat1522:
Ive been driving waggon and drag for last 18 months and have become really experienced with it, Somebody said to me on here If I can drive waggon and drag an artic should be a breeze ? Whats everybodys thoughts ? Cheers topcat
I wouldn’t agree.
Wagon and drag straight frame or A frame tend to follow the Prime movers tracks,
An Artic Trailer follows a different line.forward and reverse.
Reversing an A frame is not the easiest of things to do.
Where as a straight frame is quite easy.
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A frame trailer, or standard drag trailer with two or three central non steer axles?
If the former and you’ve mastered reversing into all sorts of places very well done, driving forward A frames are great, not much fun for tight reverses.
If the latter then it’s the same theory as aticulated just with different angles and pivot points to judge, sometimes its easier to reverse with a wag n drag, sometimes its easier with an artic, normal driving i’d prefer a wag n drag for the smoother ride.
The only problem going from a wagon n drag to artic is the trailer neck will catch you out if not careful.
Punchy Dan:
The only problem going from a wagon n drag to artic is the trailer neck will catch you out if not careful.
Usually on a fence or post [emoji15][emoji15]
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I was always impressed by A frame types and always wanted to drive them.
I finally did at the end of my curtailed career and they didn’t disappoint.
I preferred them to driving artics.Reversing them seemed to be easy and instinctive to me with the bonus of just needing a bit more thought applied at each end of a run which kept the skills sharp.
Artics seemed ■■■■■■■■■■ and far less visibility of what was going on in the mirrors through turns etc unit v trailer.Crap ride quality and the relative risk of jack knifing and more weight distribution critical.Always seemed like a silly way to pull a trailer to me.
As for close coupled trailers they are the worst of all worlds.Just a flawed dumbed down solution to a non existent problem to help those who can’t handle more than one point of articulation going backwards.
Carryfast:
I was always impressed by A frame types and always wanted to drive them.
I finally did at the end of my curtailed career and they didn’t disappoint.
I preferred them to driving artics.Reversing them seemed to be easy and instinctive to me with the bonus of just needing a bit more thought applied at each end of a run which kept the skills sharp.
Artics seemed ■■■■■■■■■■ and far less visibility of what was going on in the mirrors through turns etc unit v trailer.Crap ride quality and the relative risk of jack knifing and more weight distribution critical.Always seemed like a silly way to pull a trailer to me.As for close coupled trailers they are the worst of all worlds.Just a flawed dumbed down solution to a non existent problem to help those who can’t handle more than one point of articulation going backwards.
Can’t work out air suspension or how to lift a trailer properly but are a gifted God with a dolly, yeah cheers Aldridge 
Going by the W&D driver I saw last week on the M4 watching some form of media on his phone that was resting on the centre part of his steering wheel then I can only assume that W&Ds are indeed easier.
W&D is generally easier. You’ve not got the head board/front corner of the trailer to worry about when doing a tight turn and hitting something. An artic is more manoeuvrable in a small yard as you can’t spin a W&D round in the spot in such a small space but having driven both I’d say overall W&D is slightly easier.
TheUncaringCowboy:
Carryfast:
As for close coupled trailers they are the worst of all worlds.Just a flawed dumbed down solution to a non existent problem to help those who can’t handle more than one point of articulation going backwards.Can’t work out air suspension or how to lift a trailer properly but are a gifted God with a dolly, yeah cheers Aldridge
Ironically go under low and lift is exactly the right way to do it …with a demount drawbar outfit.Unlike an artic semi trailer.
Sorry to appear dumb, but I’ve used what is called over here a dog trailer; that is a trailer with a turntable. We call the others (no turntable Pig trailers. I see that some are talking about A frame or straight frame. How are you lot describing one or the other?
I’ve been driving a wagon and drag for 2 years after 23 years on an artics. They’ve both got pros and cons. On balance I’d prefer an artic.
peterm:
Sorry to appear dumb, but I’ve used what is called over here a dog trailer; that is a trailer with a turntable. We call the others (no turntable Pig trailers. I see that some are talking about A frame or straight frame. How are you lot describing one or the other?
The picture above is a drawbar or straight frame. An A Frame (always known them as a dolly) has a turntable giving it 2 points of articulation. Only pulled one with a tractor, would love a go with one of the Scandinavian setups.
TheUncaringCowboy:
An A Frame (always known them as a dolly) has a turntable giving it 2 points of articulation.
I’ve seen videos, they’re dead easy to reverse…
DickyNick:
W&D is generally easier. You’ve not got the head board/front corner of the trailer to worry about when doing a tight turn and hitting something. An artic is more manoeuvrable in a small yard as you can’t spin a W&D round in the spot in such a small space but having driven both I’d say overall W&D is slightly easier.
I would agree W&D is easier unless its an A frame trailer. I have seen experienced artic drivers making a complete hash of trying to reverse one.(can’t do it) They need far more practice than an artic unless your name is Carryfast then it just comes natural.
Mind you I have seen experienced artic drivers making a hash when reversing an artic. 
peterm:
Sorry to appear dumb, but I’ve used what is called over here a dog trailer; that is a trailer with a turntable. We call the others (no turntable Pig trailers. I see that some are talking about A frame or straight frame. How are you lot describing one or the other?
A frame is the drawbar attached to the turntable and bogie it generally looks like an A.
Straight is close coupled fixed bar with axles in centre like a caravan.A pig is the right word.Too much on the front means a heavy drive and light steer.Too much on the back heavy rear and light drive and lots of pendulum effect added to that.
Lots in the middle too light on the nose so still pendulum effect.Made for drivers who can’t reverse won’t reverse to earn their wages.Punchy Dan won’t agree.
Reef:
TheUncaringCowboy:
An A Frame (always known them as a dolly) has a turntable giving it 2 points of articulation.I’ve seen videos, they’re dead easy to reverse…
Every morning reverse one of these, except 2534 in my case,
flickr.com/photos/bonsaitruck/41740902120
off this road onto the bay where the artic is.Sometimes ‘blind side’ for fun. 
A reverse slalom through a line of cones and putting it under a demount from a 90 degree turn was part of the ‘assessment’ before being let loose.The latter being about as difficult as it gets luckily not needed in that case the body was left with the trailer.
Driver training schools used to go in for wag and drags partly because they can use it without the drag for rigid tests and partly because they are easier for trainees to pass in as the same vehicle going forward and easier to reverse as not so tricky blindside amongst other reasons.
Don’t seem to see so many now so wonder if trainees prefer schools with artics as it’s what they’re more likely to drive.
Thanks for the answers. I should have known but I s’pose the old memory’s letting me down.