Big +1 for running the fronts backwards on a FEL. Backing out of a pile is handy, but when you try and back up a hill, the reversed R1's in the front is the way to go. With them set forward they pack up and lose both traction *and* steering when you try and back up. With them reversed, they clean out, give better traction, and thus controllability.
Very little uphill performance is lost since going uphill the rear is doing all the work anyway. I have had problems running both forward, but after about 10 years running them reversed in the front I have had no observable problems run this way.