An air hose coupler for use in a tractor-trailer air brake system incorporates a body with a first air passage formed therethrough and a first mating face. The first mating face includes a first air orifice which communicates with the first air passage. A grip member is attached to the body and, in preferred embodiments, extends radially outwardly therefrom. The grip member includes a proximal end and a distal end, and a second air passage formed through the grip member from the proximal end to the distal end, with the second air passage pneumatically communicating with the first air passage. Additionally, the distal end incorporates a tapered neck and is adapted to communicate with an air hose such that the air hose pneumatically communicates with the second air passage. So configured, the grip member is graspable by an operator during engagement of the air hose coupler to a trailer coupler, thereby