Drive slowly and straddle ruts. If you try to drive inside a rut, the momentum could tip you over (even if it's a wide rut). If it's too wide to straddle, run the tires' sidewall along the inside of the rut to maintain balance. Cross a ravine at a 45-degree angle, driving slowly and turning into the depression, not away. Know your angles of approach and departure as you cross a ditch so you don't smack your bumpers.
Second Period: Splish, Splash
Since murky water could be a bottomless pit, check its depth before driving through by crossing on foot or using a stick to find the bottom. You want to cross streams only at fording points. Cross slowly at a 90-degree angle to minimize streambed damage. Try to cross where the water will be below the grille so you don't drown the engine intake. Water up to the hubs is OK; use caution with bumper-deep or bottom-of-the-headlights levels, and check the air intake. Start your departure facing downstream at a bit of an angle, and watch for submerged rocks or other obstacles. If you do come across logs or rocks, it's easier to cross them at a slight angle, one tire at a time, rather than head-on. If you swamp a newer vehicle, crawl out of the window to escape. Some late-models have the electronic control module (ECM) underneath the seat and you risk damaging it if you open the door.
Third Period: Just for the Hill of It
Going up? Make sure you know what's on the other side of the mountain. If you don't, use caution when you reach the top.
Take the hill straight on. Don't drive across the face of the hill or you could slide sideways--the angle increases the rollover potential. Build up your speed, then decrease it as you approach the top, especially if you don't know what's on the other side or if you don't have a spotter.
If you have a manual tranny and stall, don't push the clutch in--leave the truck in gear and start it if you can; some late-model trucks have clutch interlock systems that make this impossible. If you're in a truck that uses an automatic transmission, put it in Neutral and back straight down, then try the hill again. Avoid turning the wheels as you back down or you could lose control and roll. When you're driving forward down a hill, use the lowest gears and ease down it. Use the brakes very little if at all, and don't ride the clutch.