Oooooops!

It was 10 degrees out here in PA last night when I disconnected from my empty Walmart trailer for the night. I was stowing the airlines and electrical cable on the rack behind the cab. One of the glad hands wasn't snapping into place so I pushed a little harder and the whole thing broke into pieces in my hands. I guess I really don't know my own strength. LOL!

JJ

Don't worry, you will be amply rewarded with time sitting awaiting repair.

It was 10 degrees out here in PA last night when I disconnected from my empty Walmart trailer for the night. I was stowing the airlines and electrical cable on the rack behind the cab. One of the glad hands wasn't snapping into place so I pushed a little harder and the whole thing broke into pieces in my hands. I guess I really don't know my own strength. LOL!

JJ

LOL. Which part broke? The glad hand or the plastic "Stowaway" on the back of the cab?

I'm assumng "on the rack behind the cab" and "the whole thing broke into pieces" is the same thing. No biggie, gladhands can be safely stored for transport a multitude of ways without the little holder. You can probably get a replacement at your next terminal visit. Those holders are nice though because it keeps the moisture out and prevents you from dragging a hose on the ground.

However, this might a good place to point this out. You said "so I pushed a little harder" mounting the gladhands on the storage rack. Be very careful attempting to force gladhands onto the trailer connection. Don't hold the gladhands in such a way that a large part of your hand is pushing on the hose when trying to attach a stubborn connector. I have seen guys crack a red or blue hose by doing this. If it's only a little snug, I'll put the gladhands in place with left hand to the point it sticks, then switch hands and hold metal of gladhand only with underhand grip in right hand, then use left handed fist as hammer to pound on right hand to twist it all the way on. Can't break a hose that way, and you would hard pressed to punch yourself so hard you could break off or damage the trailer gladhand.

Other tips would include always inspecting the gladhand seals when connecting (that's what the utility light and/or flashlight in the teeth are for), spitting on the seal to ease on the connection if needed. Also a large screwdriver to gently pry open the clamp on the trailer just a skitch, or a pair of vise grips to mash it a bit tighter if needed. I've also swiped a dab of grease off of whereever you see one to lube up the seals (only a tiny tiny bit though) but this is rare because it can get messy.

The stow-away behind the cab broke. I honestly wasn't pushing that hard. They normally snap in pretty freely but sometimes just need a little extra effort. It's too freakin cold for gorilla glue or even JB weld. I'm heading over to the terminal this afternoon anyway.

Thanks, JJ

Ah ha! On closer inspection it looks like this stow-away has already been glued together at least once. I'm telling' ya, I really wasn't pushing on it all that hard. LOL!

JJ

The stow-away behind the cab broke.

Oh yeah........those things are usually just plastic. In the cold? SNAP.

While we're on the subject, everyone should have a couple of spare gladhand seals on them and an air line repair kit. You'll need them sooner or later. Also carry some de-icer for the air lines. And a twelve inch Subway Club with double provolone, toasted well. You're now ready for the day!

I grab a few seals where I'm at the terminal. I been going to our terminal in San Diego quite a bit. Afterwards I usually wind up at this huge community drop yard / distribution center. I thought it was a sort of urban legend thing that all the Mexican drivers were borrowing the rubber seals. Nope, every single one of the newer Swift trailers down there have been missing them. Heck, the last one was missing the LED light bulb for the license plate light as well. LOL!

JJ