1996 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner's Manual - Page 182

Driving Across an Incline Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go across the incline of a.hill. If this happens, you have to decide whether to try to drive across the incline. Here are some things to consider: 0 0 Hidden obstacles can make the steepness ofthe incline the even worse. If you drive across a rock with uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheelsdrop into a rut or depression, your vehicle can tilt even more. A hill that can be driven straight up or down may be too steep to drive across. When you go straight. up or down a hill, the length of the wheel base (the distance from the front wheels to the rear wheels) reduces the likelihood the vehicle will tumble end over end. But when you drive across an incline, the much more narrow track width (the distancebetween 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. 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. . 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 have to you drive it. The last vehicleto try it might have rolled over. A CAUTION: Driving across an incline that's too steep will make your vehicle roll over.You could be If seriously injured or killed. you have any doubt about the steepnessof the incline, don't drive across it. Find another route instead. 0 4-23