I’ve been driving a truck around 11 years. It’s always a trip when something so easy seems confusing!
Recently, another driver told me I install hand seals the wrong way. As we know a glad hand seal has a bigger circumference tapered side and a thicker, smaller circumference flat side… I always put the smaller thicker side in and the tapered larger side out.
This driver told me that he puts the tapered larger side in and the smaller circumference thicker side out.
Which is the correct way?
It seems it works either way, I was just curious what others do…
Gladhand seals… A question
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by ncmickey, Aug 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM.
Page 1 of 2
-
austinmike, OLDSKOOLERnWV, Kyle G. and 5 others Thank this.
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
99% of all new replacement glad hands have the seal installed the way you do. I have seen a small few of some types installed his way. Much better and more positive seal your way.
Kyle G., Trucker61016, Oxbow and 6 others Thank this. -
austinmike, Trucker61016 and ncmickey Thank this.
-
tscottme, 86scotty, austinmike and 12 others Thank this.
-
austinmike and ncmickey Thank this.
-
There are teflon gladhand seals where the big diameter goes into the gladhand. They don’t function well at all when installed backwards. Impossible to connect as well when they are on both sides.
The Teflon does not crack with age like the rubber ones.Last edited: Aug 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
-
mitrucker Thanks this.
-
I have always put them in like you do, and never had an issue. If I get one where somebody 'adjusted' the little shoulder plate to tight and it wants to bind up, I spit on my gladhand and it slides together (ok, get your dirty minds out of the gutter and up on the curb with mine)
Bean Jr., Ribeye, hope not dumb twucker and 4 others Thank this. -
-
1) Ive purchased gladhands with the grommet installed already. The larger half of the rubber was on the outside. It came from the factory that way so I just accept it as fact.
2) put a little vasoline on the grommets when they arent being used.
my 2¢.D.Tibbitt, Bean Jr. and hope not dumb twucker Thank this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 2