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across
an
incline, the much more narrow track width (the distance
between the left and right wheels) may not prevent the vehicle from
tilting and rolling over. Also, driving across an incline puts more
weight on the downhill wheels. This could cause a downhill slide or a
rollover.
0
Surface conditions can be a problem when you drive across a hill.
Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet grass can cause your tires to
slip sideways, downhill. If the vehicle slips sideways, it can hit
something that will trip it (a rock, a rut, etc.) and roll over.
Hidden obstacles can make the steepness of the incline even worse. If
you
drive across a rock with the uphill wheels, or if the downhill
wheels drop into a rut or depression, your vehicle can tilt even more.
For reasons like these, you need to decide carefully whether to try to drive
across an incline. Just because the trail goes across the incline doesn't mean
you have to drive
it. The last vehicle to try it might have rolled over.
Q:
What if I'm driving across an incline that's not too steep, but I hit
some loose gravel and start to slide downhill. What should
I do?
A:
If you feel your vehicle starting to slide sideways, turn downhill. This
should help straighten out the vehicle and prevent the side slipping.
However, a much better
way
to prevent this is to get out and "walk the
course" so you know what the surface is like before you drive it.
Stalling on an Incline
If your vehicle stalls when you're crossing an incline, be sure you (and your
passengers) get out on the uphill side, even if the door there is harder to
open. If
you
get out on the downhill side and the vehicle starts to roll over,
you'll be right in its path.
If you have to walk down the slope, stay out of the path the vehicle will take
if it does roll over.
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