Trucking: SERVICE LEADS, bob stephens, girls name

Question
I am based in England,uk, and I have a question regarding the service leads(air lines/electric leads) from the tractor unit/cab to the trailer.

Over here, they are nicknamed "SUZIES", as in the girls name, but no one can answer why this is? have you heard of this or do you use a different nickname? kind regards, tony usher.

Answer
Hi Tony.

Over here in the US, we call them "Gladhands" because they look like clasped hands.  Suzies (or Suzzi as it is also called) is a name that was given by a specific manufacturer, Partco Group Limited, back in 1962.  Why they called it that, is anyones guess.  Other companies use the Suzie term and it just stuck.  It's like saying you want a Kleenex instead of a tissue or a Tylenol instead of an aspirin.  Suzie was the name given to the product by Partco in the early 60's.

Hope I helped.

Bob Stephens