Hydraulic hose lifespan?

4x4ord wrote:
We own a lot of equipment with hydraulic hoses. Most is newer but some is approaching 40 years old and still has many original hoses. Hydraulic hoses failing is a common occurrence for us but the likelyhood of a hydraulic hose failure is every bit as great on the new equipment as the old. One machine in particular is 4 years old and has had 6 different hoses fail on it already. We don't, as a rule, try to guess when a hose is going to fail. However, if two hoses are routed together we will replace both when one fails.

There is a lot of truth here. One major reason that a hose may fail when new is manufacturing defects. We anticipate that with aircraft by pressure testing to x times the rated pressure. The failure rate is very small, but when one lets go it sounds like a shotgun blast.

Had my 23 yo and 15 yo DPs in for regular maintenance yearly along with the occasional shop visit for issues and have never had a mechanic suggest I needed any of my hoses replaced. Even after I told them I wanted them inspected. I've even had the top and bottom radiator hoses removed and inspected...no problems.

I think just taking the mechanics opinion on the condition of the hoses might be the best route.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

While the service life of most elastimer things is usually about 10 years out in the weather, it is not any kind of a given. Fuel lines in road vehicles now have to deal with non-gasoline components and that has been tough. Tires had to go from solvent carrier assemblies to low VOC materials and now have a shorter life on the shelf or on the road.

But, hydraulic lines have a pretty nice life. I just replace two that were over 40yo because the fabric jacket had decayed and fallen off and that made me nervous.

Matt

We own a lot of equipment with hydraulic hoses. Most is newer but some is approaching 40 years old and still has many original hoses. Hydraulic hoses failing is a common occurrence for us but the likelyhood of a hydraulic hose failure is every bit as great on the new equipment as the old. One machine in particular is 4 years old and has had 6 different hoses fail on it already. We don't, as a rule, try to guess when a hose is going to fail. However, if two hoses are routed together we will replace both when one fails.

On the Oil Tankers that I sailed on, we replaced any hose that was out in the open every two years. Hoses that were on critical equipment such as winches, cranes etc, were replace at a minimum of two years but if any sign of deterioration on any hose all of them were replaced. Interior hosed were replaced every five years.

Now this is not what I would suggest on the average RV but I would suggest having all of them visually inspected during Tire replacement or in the case of engine mounted hoses, at every service. When were purchased our used Gas Class A, they ended up replacing ALL of the hoses on our leveling system due to the tech misdiagnosing a leak, so that was a win for us. I was also able to go under and check the job which I was glad I did as that tech had routed one hose THROUGH the left front coil spring. The owner was a really good guy and gave me permission to inspect the underside of the RV to make sure that I was satisfied. To this day, I am still surprised and impressed that he allowed me to do that.

Just getting into looking at DP`s. trying to stay newer but some older ones, mid 2000`s look appealing. Never thought about the hoses. I`ll have to keep that in mind.

theoldwizard1 wrote:

Bikeboy57 wrote:
First, aging hoses usually weep when they start to fail. Its easy to spot. Second, do a thorough inspection for chafing, rubber checking, and leakage. If didnt see any of that i would leave well enough alone.

Concur !

X3 and IF you have a failure you will know it immediately as you will not have any power steering. Are you going to replace the 40’ hoses to your steering box? Hoses that do not have to flex last a long time.

I come from an aircraft background, and we inspect the hoses yearly, and replace fuel hoses every five years. Replacement is based on three things, Condition, time, and cycles. All three should be considered. None should be ignored. A hose can look perfectly ok, but be badly deteriorated inside. Debris from the inside of a deteriorating hose can contaminate your system ruin pumps etc. I would replace them. It's not worth the bad day a failed one will give you.

You maybe able to go years without a problem but why take the chance - replace stuff when it's convenient rather than mess up a camping trip. Everything has a life - and your hoses etc are close to their end.