Beltline sealant UNDER the metal beltline channel strip...Maybe Butyl Tape?

[leadingsx]

I have a 2008 Monaco Dynasty Yorkshire where the beltline metal channel was attached using self-drilling screws.  I removed about 20' of beltline so far and every single screw (except 5) were broken in half, or at the heads (see photo).  The sidewalls are toast, complete delamination affecting about 1/2 of the entire coach.  Yep, I got taken for a big ride on this one.  I did get it for about $100,000 below my idea of fair value, but still,  more damage than I thought.  In any case, replacing the walls is not something in the budget right now, and to be honest, not sure it will ever be worth it, but at least I can stop it from getting even worse at this point.

I will be using Stainless rivets to re-attach.  I also have Clecos to assist.  I contemplated using concrete screws as was suggested on another forum, as I wanted to be considerate of the fact that at some point I might start rebuilding sidewalls, but I think that would be a mistake since i'm sure it be a few years before I can afford to start.

So my question...Should I be using butyl tape on the back side of the metal beltline (between the metal beltline and the fiberglass) as it "appears" is the case from the factory?

Thanks for looking at my nasty mess!

Tim

 

[96 EVO]

Don't see why butyl tape wouldn't work well there.

Probably what they should have used at the factory!

[cbr046]

This is your BEST solution -

Enjoy,

- bob

[jacwjames]

I removed about ~25-27 ft of beltline, passenger side rear ~7' top, the vertical rear portion. 12' of the bottom.   I did this a couple  years ago and if had the butyl tape on it I don't remember.  I had a large area of delam.  Conventional wisdom says leave it alone but I went ahead and tried to repair.  Not an easy task. 

Here is a thread that shows how I tried to repair. 

 

[leadingsx]

Thanks for the video share.  I did see watch that video a couple times over the last month.  Unfortunately the metal channel is never removed during the video, so my question remained unanswered by the video.  I had no choice but to remove my beltline's metal track because it was gapped from the sidewall already and the sealant behind was no longer reliable.  Anyway, I went ahead and used the butyl tape on the metal beltline rail sections that I had to remove and re-install.  It worked nicely and as a benefit, the butyl oozed out of the old screw holes eliminating the need to inject sealant into them.  I will be trimming back the oozing butyl from top and bottom of the metal track, reinstalling the rubber cover and then applying proflex to the rubber beltline cover strip.  On the rest of the coach, I should be able to do it as shown in the video (fingers crossed).

Thanks,

Tim 

[RBRODDER]

I just finished repairing my passenger side beltline and it had butyl tape sealant between the rail and coach.

[jacwjames]

You might try contacting @throgmartin

I'm sure he'd be able to confirm.

The area of beltline you are working on is over the awning and may because of that they used the sealant. 

[leadingsx]

I am definetly sticking with butyl tape, just does not make sense to only trust sealant bead on the vinyl beltline cover.  If your metal beltline has not allowed water to penetrate and the original butyl is still intact (where you are really just needing to shore things up with new rivets), then ya, that video sums it up perfect and no need to remove metal rails.  But if you have to remove the rails...I would not even dream of "not" using butyl tape.