belt metal

[steve southworth]

> Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I
> assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the
> interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom

If it ain't broke, fix till it is.

If you are not having a leak problem now, you very well may after you are done. Many of us would love to have your "no leak" problem.

--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI

 

[tyler]

If you are just starting to really pull stuff apart, and are concerned about the beltline, I would recommend that you pull apart the interior enough
to really assess if you are leaking or not. Get eyeballs (preferably during a rain storm) under carpet, behind wall coverings, cabinets, beds, etc.
and if you are still convinced there is no problem...then don't touch it! ha. There was a new owner on Facebook that was surprised by how much hidden
floor rot was present - a simple pull back of the carpet can tell you much of the story. Go ahead and put strategic slices in the carpet, enough to
see under - if floor is good carpet will glue back down, if its bad you need to get it out to repair under it anyway.

I have never "gutted" my 75 coach, but over four years I have pulled parts, ducts, heaters, beds, wall covers, etc. to where I have seen every
interior frame surface except the center roofline. I did have to replace plywood floor under my passenger side propane tank and house water tank. That
PO roof leak had warped the upper cabinet, and destroyed the blanket cabinet, so there was plenty of indicators that went floor to ceiling.

Another solution - find covered storage!

--
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC

 

[Matt Colie]

> Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I
> assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the
> interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom

Tom,

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum...

Glad you found us. This forum is actually a mirror of an e-mail server, and those that join us by e-mail can't see the headed at the top of the
posting. If you put the basic information in you sigfile (go to and scroll down, then be sure to scroll down to
) that will help those that will want to be of assistance to you. So, if you put in your real name (so those you meet know who you are), a
short bit about the coach (particularly year and model) (Royales and 78's are a lot different) and a geographic reference, that all helps.

By buying a GMC and finding your way here, you have become part of an community of people that are both helpful and supportive. I do not know where
"Hill Country" is, but I do know that you have a lot of friends in Texas that you have yet to meet. You will quickly realize that the coach is not
just another toy, but it brings with it this amazing community. As the only other community that I know of that is like this is that of the watermen
of my world, I like to welcome new owners much as a new owner or vessel is welcomed there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Tom.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[charles boyd]

Sir: the belt line on the 77-78 models Is different from the 73-76. The early models is a 3 piece cover ( aluminum, stainless and galvanized) with a
rubber insert and suffers from electrolices from dissimilar metals and is prone to leak. The later models is an aluminum extrusion that the SMC
panels fit in and a stick on rubber belting. Many have replaced the stainless with a 2" aluminum strip to mimick the late model look when re
painting. The source of most side wall leaks is the upper seam above the windows with the removeable cover and end caps.

> Newbie here. I've owned a 78 Royale with 50,000 miles on it for about 5 years now and am just getting around to doing some repairs on it. I
> assumed I would need to remove the alum belt molding and seal it. I removed the forward ones but now assume you have to access the rest from the
> interior. I have no signs of leakage on the inside so is it really needed? .....Tom

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee