Nylon D.O.T Tubing vs. Rubber Hose for Air Line Repair

[nf6x]

I need to replace some air lines on my M543A2 wrecker. The hose from the remote clutch control burst last time I used the crane, and I assume that some other lines will need replacement, too. My truck likes to blow rust out the emergency glad hand at the back, and there's a leaky fitting on the trailer brake lever that causes dirty, oily water to drip onto the driver's lap... yeah, this truck needs a lot of work!

I'm wondering whether the nylon D.O.T. air brake tubing that I've seen on commercial trucks might be a suitable substitute for some or all of the rubber hoses I need to replace, or even for old corroded and contaminated metal lines. It looks like it's easier to work with, and it's available in multiple colors for color-coding. My favorite industrial supplier carries it and the fittings, so it's easy for me to get, too.

I'm not familiar with the application details for the stuff, and some googling didn't clue me in. Can y'all offer advice about using this nylon tubing in place of what's already in my truck? Are there particular situations where I should choose nylon tubing vs. rubber hoses vs. metal lines? And how about the compression fittings vs. push-in fittings for the nylon tubing? And how about the "type A" (non-reinforced) vs. "type B" (reinforced) nylon tubing?

 

[Sneaker]

I plan on using it to replace the air lines in my M35A2 when they go. Good enough for commercial rigs today should be okay for a truck designed 50 years ago.

I just truck around North America so "extreme temperatures are really not an issue"

Bring on the people debating the temperature ratings of tubing versus copper.. opcorn:

 

[deuceman51]

Nylon by far, we use it on all our truck mods now, won't corrode, is easy to work with, and pretty tough stuff.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

I had to replace some lines on my M923A1 that were damaged. The lines on the truck are all Nylon. They are easy to run and the fitting are easy to work with.
I would go with Nylon.

 

[nf6x]

Thanks! I have a M923 waiting for EUC clearance. Judging by the temperature ratings of the nylon tubing, I wouldn't want to route a rubber hose anywhere that would be too hot for the nylon, anyway.

 

[Jakelc15]

The nylon dot tubing is used on alot of trucks as fuel line also. The deuce uses it for one. So I wouldn't worry about fuel and oil swelling it like rubber. Petroleum eats rubber, so the nylon should be better.
The compression style fittings are pretty well leak proof, the push connect are prone to leaking over time.

If your replacing a copper line you just need new compression sleeves, the nuts are the same sizes.

 

[m16ty]

Thanks! I have a M923 waiting for EUC clearance. Judging by the temperature ratings of the nylon tubing, I wouldn't want to route a rubber hose anywhere that would be too hot for the nylon, anyway.

Most of the lines on your truck will be the nylon tubing. The M939 series trucks use a lot of it.

 

[nf6x]

Cool. By the time I fix everything that needs fixin' on my M543A2, maybe it'll turn into 900-series?