What is a glad hand ?

jeffman164

Seasoned Expediter
Heard the term many times but haven't the faintest clue of what it is. Or if it's something that causes a lot of problems . maybee I don't want to know.
 

bryan

Veteran Expediter
Hi

Its a coupling device attached to the air supply system on the tractor.It is twisted into a matching device on the trailor,and supplies air to the trailor brakes.

They have rubber rings that make a positive air tight seal (like the rubber washer in a garden hose) that gets brittle over time .Also since they sit on the back of the tractor dirt and water gets inside of them when the are not connected to the trailor.
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
Yes there is but they are seldom used. On the truck there is usually a place on the truck to hook the glad hands and the pig tail to keep them stable and clean. Most are just flopped on the deck though. You can also purchase covers in most truck stops.
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
How many straight truck owners have their trucks equipped with either a glad hand outlet or a conventional compressed air fitting for connecting an air hose? This would be used for inflating tires, running pneumatic tools etc.
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
We have this and boy is it handy. Sometimes we get leaves in the cab of the truck and we can just blow them out of if crevices get dirt in them the vacuum wont get that also comes in handy. Bob also checks the tires when we are sitting and can inflate them if needed. Very handy.
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
TeamCaffee:
What type of connection do you have, gladhand or a regular air fitting? Did you plumb it yourselves or was it a factory spec?
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
>you can also buy new rubbers for your gladhand at almost any
>truck stop when needed.;)

It is cheaper to buy in bulk from a drug store than to pay .50 apiece from a truckstop vending machine.
 

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
Had one put on last month, cant wait to try it out. Darn tires are still perfect as of Sunday. Thats why I asked about the cover, I thought on some nice trucks (TMC) when they Bobtail that there hoses are tucked away and seem to have what you desribed as a holder with a handle alum that they fit into, while others are just dangling going down the road.
 

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
>Bob plumbed it himself with a regular air fitting. He did a
>very nice job also.

Did he use that ladder to do it with?
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Broom:

For a cover buy another gladhand and put a cap or plug on the air fitting to keep dirt out. Use a small chain as a keeper to attach to the dummy gladhand so you don't lose it when your air hose is connected.
 

Pappy

Expert Expediter
The thing on the back of the cab that stores the glad hands and light cord when they are not in use is commonly refferred to as a "dummy coupler"

Pappy :)
 

ritaups

Active Expediter
If you want to prevent moisture from entering the glad hand, you can hook them to each other. This is not recommended when bobtailing (running with tractor only) unless they are properly secured. Tractors do come equipped with holders that perform the same function.
On the trailer, glad hands are designed to spring back against the trailer mounting and seal tight. Sometimes you have to manually help them. :)
 
Last edited:

ebsprintin

Veteran Expediter
If you want to prevent moisture from entering the glad hand, you can hook them to each other. This is not recommended when bobtailing (running with tractor only) unless they are properly secured. Tractors do come equipped with holders that perform the same function.
On the trailer, glad hands are designed to spring back against the trailer mounting and seal tight. Sometimes you have to manually help them. :)
Dang. How did you find this thread?

eb
 
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