2011 Chevrolet Equinox Owner's Manual - Page 230

9-8 Driving and Operating Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving WARNING (Continued) 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. There are some important things to remember about how to load your vehicle. . Before You Go Off-Roading . Have all necessary maintenance and service work done. Make sure there is enough fuel, that fluid levels are where they should be, and that the spare tire is fully inflated. Be sure to read all the information about all-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual. Make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle has them, are properly attached. Know the local laws that apply to off-roading where you will be driving or check with law enforcement people in the area. Be sure to get the necessary permission if you will be on private land. . { WARNING . . . 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 (Continued) . . The heaviest things should be on the floor, forward of the rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can. Be sure the load is properly secured, so things are not tossed around. . . . You will find other important information under Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑21 and Tires on page 10‑43.