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.
What is a glad hand ?
- Thread starter jeffman164
- Start date
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.
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.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Brian, is there not a cover that one could put over them in bad weather while uncoupled?
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.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
hope the person who doesn't know what a gladhand is isn't driving a tractor trailer.
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.
Bob plumbed it himself with a regular air fitting. He did a very nice job also.
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?
>very nice job also.
Did he use that ladder to do it with?
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Thanks Moot Pappy
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.
On the trailer, glad hands are designed to spring back against the trailer mounting and seal tight. Sometimes you have to manually help them.
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ebsprintin
Veteran Expediter
Dang. How did you find this thread?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.
eb
you can also buy new rubbers for your gladhand at almost any truck stop when needed.
I think he entered the word "rubbers" in the search function.
