efficiently, which may increase
your stopping distance.
Driving Across Slopes
There may be times when you
notice
a trail begin to slope to one
side
or another. Or you may be
driving in open country and see a
hill or slope you want to consider
crossing
at an angle. Crossing or
driving
on a smooth, low-angle dirt slope or trail may be no problem.
But
before you drive on any sloped
terrain,
consider these facts:
A slope that you can drive straight
up or down can be too
steep to drive across.
When you drive straight up or
down
a slope, the length of the
wheelbase
reduces the chance
of your vehicle tipping over
backward
or forward.
When you drive across a slope,
your
vehicle's higher center of
gravity and narrower track
increases
the chance of tipping
or rolling over.
Driving
across a slope puts
more weight on the downhill
wheels,
which increases the
chance of tipping. If you drive across a slope and
an uphill wheel hits a bump, or
if a downhill wheel drops into a
rut or hole, your vehicle will
tip downward even more.
If
you can't clearly see all terrain
conditions
(good traction, no
bumps, holes or other obstacles, a safe way down and out, etc.), stop
and walk the slope or trail before
you drive on it. If you have any
doubt
whether you can safely
drive across a slope or sloping
trail, don't do it. Find another
route. Off-Road Driving Information
