GMC 1999 Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual page 204

Your Driving and the Road
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about how to load your
vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your rear
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain
axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can.
doesn't toss things around.
CAUTION
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than the seatbacks can be 3
thrown forward during a sudden stop. You or your passengers
could be injured. Keep cargo below the top
01
le seatbacks.
-
Unsecured cargo on the load floor ca- >e tossecl about when
3-7
driving over rough terrain. You or your passengers can be strum
&
by flying objects. Secure the cargo properly*
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle's center of gravity.
making it more likely to roll over. You can be seriously injured
the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo area, not
on the roof. Keep in the cargo area as far forward and
low as Dossible.
I
You'll find other important information in this manual. See "Vehicle Loading,''
and "Tires" in the Index.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a remote area.
Know the terrain and plan your route. You are much less likely to get bad
surprises. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Try to learn of any blocked
or closed roads.
It's also a good idea to travel with at least one other vehicle. If something
happens to one of them, the other can help quickly.
Does your vehicle have a winch? If so, be sure to read the winch
instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy if you get stuck. But
you'll want to know how to use
it
properly.
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It's a good idea to practice in an area that's safe and close to home before
you go into the wilderness. Off-road driving does require some new and
different driving skills. Here's what we mean.
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