Illinois CDL Practice Exam

How are the hose couplers ("Glad Hands") typically differentiated to ensure correct connection?

1. By their weight

2. By their size

3. By their position

4. By their color

The correct answer is: By their color

The hose couplers, also known as "Glad Hands," are typically differentiated to ensure correct connection by their color. Each coupler usually comes in a distinct color, with one side being blue and the other side being red. This color coding system helps drivers easily identify which couplers should be connected to each other. By matching the colors (blue to blue, red to red), drivers can ensure that the air lines are properly connected and prevent any potential issues while on the road. In contrast, the other options (weight, size, and position) are not typical methods used to differentiate Glad Hands for correct connection. Weight and size are not reliable indicators as different manufacturers may produce Glad Hands with similar weights and sizes. Position is also not a reliable method as the positioning of the couplers may vary depending on the specific setup of the air lines. Therefore, using color coding is the most effective and widely used method to ensure the proper connection of Glad Hands.