1997 Mercury Mountaineer Four Wheeling Supplement 1st Printing - Page 18

Hauling cargo and vehicle handling components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to heavy off-road usage. Refer to the "Owner's Guide" and "Service Guide" for proper maintenance instructions and schedules. HAULING CARGO AND VEHICLE HANDLING When using your vehicle to haul cargo, make sure it is properly loaded to help ensure safe handling. Cargo should be evenly distributed over the floor of the cargo area, with the heaviest cargo on the bottom and ahead of the rear axle. If you must haul cargo on the roof of the vehicle, use extra caution when driving. Cargo placed on the roof will tend to make your vehicle top heavy, causing it to lean more on corners and creating a greater possibility of vehicle roll over should you lose control of the vehicle. 18