2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 248

Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving There are some important things to remember about how to load your vehicle. CAUTION: D Cargo on the load floor piled higher than the seatbacks can be thrown forward during a sudden stop. You or your passengers could be injured. Keep cargo below the top of the seatbacks. Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be tossed about when driving over rough terrain. You or your passengers can be struck 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 or fatally injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof. Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward and low as possible. D The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can. D Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain doesn't toss things around. D D You'll find other important information in this manual. See "Vehicle Loading," "Luggage Carrier" and "Tires" in the Index. 4-20