1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner's Manual - Page 194

Before You Go Off-Roading There are some things to do before you go out. For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance and service work done. Check to make sureall underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure you read all the information about your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where theyshould be? What arethe local laws that apply to off-roading where you'll be driving? If you don't know, youshould check with law enforcement people in the area. Will you be on someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the necessary permission. 0 0 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 axle. Putheavier items as far forward as you can. 0 0 Cargo on the load floor piled higher than the seatbacks can thrown forward be during asudden stop. You or your passengers could beinjured. Keep cargo below the topof the seatbacks. Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be tossed about when driving over rough terrain. can You or your passengers be struck by flying objects. Secure the cargo properly. Heavy loads on the roof raise thevehicle's center of gravity, making it morelikely to roll over. You can be seriouslyor fatally injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo area, on the roof. not Keep cargo in the cargoarea as far forward and low as possible. Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain doesn't toss things around. You'll find otherimportant information in this manual. See "Vehicle Loading," "Luggage Carrier" and "Tires" in the Index. 4-15