Final answer:
The crab or sideslip technique is the best crosswind landing technique to avoid causing a side load on the gear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crosswind landing technique that is best for landing without causing a side load on the gear is the crab or sideslip technique.
The crab technique involves aligning the aircraft's nose with the runway centerline while maintaining a constant heading into the wind. This creates a sideways drift or crab angle, which counteracts the crosswind. Just before touchdown, the pilot applies rudder to align the aircraft's longitudinal axis with the runway while keeping the wings level.
The sideslip technique is similar but involves using bank angle instead of a crab angle. The pilot maintains a heading parallel to the runway centerline and tilts the aircraft into the wind, using opposite aileron and opposite rudder to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway during the final approach and touchdown.