Gates 28401 Charter Economy Heater Hose 50ft - Durable Heat Resistance

In this review the Gates 28401 Charter Economy Straight Heater Hose is evaluated for drivers, mechanics and DIYers who need a long length of heater hose at an affordable price. The bottom line: this hose delivers reliable temperature performance and practical value for replacement and maintenance work, with the single biggest reason to buy being its combination of a 50 ft length and a broad temperature range that covers most vehicle heater system needs. The review focuses on durability, contamination resistance and everyday usability.

Key Features

• 50 ft length: Provides enough continuous hose to tackle multiple repairs or a single long run without splicing, saving time and fittings.
• Temperature range: Rated from -40 Deg. F to +257 Deg. F, so it withstands cold starts and high underhood temperatures encountered in most passenger and light utility vehicles.
• SAE 20R3 standard: Meets Standard Wall Class D-2 requirements for heater hose applications, offering predictable performance in compatible systems.
• Resistance to contaminants: Shows moderate resistance to oil and grease and good resistance to non-oil based coolant additives, which helps extend service life in typical engine bays.
• Economical construction: Marketed as Charter Economy, the hose balances cost and longevity for routine maintenance without premium pricing.

Who It's For

This hose is well suited to vehicle owners, independent mechanics and fleet maintenance shops that need a cost-effective, long length of heater hose for repairs or preventive replacement. The 50 ft coil is particularly useful when cutting multiple sections for several vehicles or for replacing long runs on larger machines or side-by-side applications.

Those who should look elsewhere include owners of specialty or high-performance vehicles that require hoses with exceptional oil resistance or extreme temperature ratings beyond +257 Deg. F, or systems that explicitly require a different SAE class or specialized compound for unique fluids.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good temperature tolerance supports most heater system conditions without premature failure.
• Generous 50 ft length reduces the need for joins and makes multiple repairs economical.
• Customers consistently note the product offers solid quality and value for money for routine applications.
• Meets SAE 20R3 Standard Wall Class D-2, giving installers confidence in compatibility for standard heater circuits.

Cons

• Only moderate resistance to oil and grease means it may not be ideal where heavy oil exposure occurs near routing paths.
• As an economy product, it lacks some high-end compound characteristics found in premium hoses.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Gates 28401 Charter Economy Heater Hose is a practical, value-oriented choice for general heater system repair and maintenance. It is recommended for DIYers and service shops needing a long-length, dependable hose that withstands typical temperature ranges and coolant chemistries. For applications exposed to heavy oil contamination or extreme temperatures beyond its rating, consider a specialty hose instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this hose suitable for heater core connections?
Yes, the hose is designed for heater system use and its 5/8 in inner diameter and SAE 20R3 compliance make it suitable for most heater core lines.

Can I cut this 50 ft length into multiple sections?
Yes, the continuous 50 ft coil is intended to be cut to length for multiple repairs or long runs without excessive splicing.

How resistant is it to coolant additives and oil?
It has good resistance to non-oil based coolant additives and moderate resistance to oil and grease, so avoid routing through areas with heavy oil exposure.