Valor 54TS, Owner'S Manual

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www.valortrailers.com PHONE: 208-810-4900 Rev 05/20/2022
Weather conditions can be a major factor in the cause of accidents. Rain, ice, snow, high winds, and
poor visibility combined with excessive speed, sudden lane changes — or other factors that put lateral forces into
a tow vehicle and trailer combination — may contribute significantly to an accident. Slippery roads can increase
stopping distances and reduce the ability to control the vehicle. When the road is wet, the available tire/road
friction to enable braking may be half that of a dry road. Icy roads can further reduce tire friction for braking
many times over the tire friction available for wet roads. If hard braking or rapid acceleration occurs, there may
be little or no friction available to prevent lateral tire movement and skidding results.
Control and stability may be maintained if the driver knows his or her vehicle, his or her load,
and the road . The driver must compensate for the characteristics and conditions of his or her vehicle, the road
conditions, and weather. Reducing speeds and increasing attentiveness may compensate for most of these
conditions. The more familiar the driver is with the vehicle and the road, the less likely he or she will need to
make abrupt emergency maneuvers, which will take the vehicle to its limits.
Either braking or accelerating while cornering can significantly reduce the controllability and stability of
the vehicle and should be avoided. The best driving practice is to decelerate to a safe conservative speed, before
entering a corner or approaching congested traffic, and then apply only moderate power until an essentially
straight path has been established.
It is imperative that a safe speed always be maintained. The safe speed is defined as that speed at
which control can always be maintained within the bounds of the vehicle. This reasonable speed will ensure
vehicle control is maintained to allow an emergency change of lane maneuver, travel off an exit ramp with a
tightening radius, and recovery from pavement drop-off or wet pavement.
Note: Safe speed will vary from one combination of vehicles to another and takes into consideration such
factors as road conditions, weather, traffic, visibility, type of load, and experience of the driver.
1.5 Meaning of Alert Symbols and Signal Words
It is important that you understand the meaning of the following symbols that are used throughout this
document. The signal words indicate the level of risk .
Table 1
lists the various safety symbols used throughout
this document.
Table 1: Alert Symbols and Signal Words
Alert Symbols and Signal Words
Symbol
Signal Words Definition
SAFETY ALERT!
Alerts operator to
potential personal injury
hazards.
Note: Obey all safety messages that follow this
symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
DANGER!
DANGER! indicates an imminently
hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.