Where to order Pirelli seals

[noteven]

The seals on my camper are in nice shape, but the uppers are installed with a gap to the upper sidewall. It gets a little breezy and lets in bugs.

Where do I order seal material from?

Thanks

 

[PackRat]

The Alaskan factory has the real McCoy stuff. It shuts out bugs, noise, dust and the night time breezes. Remember there is an inner and outer to replace so measure TWICE and ORDER once!

PS.... it ain't cheap!

 

[touch]

The best deal I found (by far) was on E-bay; $1.80/ft in 100ft rolls. Search for Pirelli Rubber Webbing or follow the link https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pirelli-Rubber-Upholstery-Webbing-2-Inch-Width-Tan-Sold-By-The-Foot/273383827267?epid=1860861988&hash=item3fa6f22743:g:rsgAAOSwZtJW-qZI:rk:2f:0

Chances are if you went to the local craft store with a coupon you could beat this price, but it seems like most vendors are pretty proud of this stuff.

 

[Nailhead]

Actually, I just looked and their pricing on 100’ rolls is $1.59/foot.

 

[Vic Harder]

How often do these seals need to be replaced?

 

[cc7665]

According to a video I saw with Bryan he said every 3-5 years. In talking to others it sounds like it depends on condition. If they are starting to look ratty and your in that time frame maybe time to replace.

 

[PackRat]

Vic.....think of their lifetime as you would your windshield wipers in a broad generalization. Exposure to the sun and heat deteriorates any rubber product of synthetic. Then you have to factor in how often the top is raised/lowered which get more damaging as the seal begins to harden. Raising/lowering when very COLD makes the stiffness bend and crack the old rubber quicker. I'm sure keeping the Alaskan in a heated garage helps or even out of the sun in places like Arizona.

I did mine when I got my '76 a year ago and the first half inch or so where it flexed going up and down and rubbed against the opposite side was just down to the inner material and was no longer efficient.

 

[Vic Harder]

good to know PackRat

 

[DaniCa]

Here's an option...an old-school one, and it may not be what you want to do, but it's worked for 45 years.

I have a 1958 NCO (No. 357). I'm thinking that the seals were the original ones as they were still attached, but I can't say for sure. The seals looked like they were made from some kind of rubberized material on the inside with a cloth overlay, and they were sliced open so that the open side faced the exterior where it was closed tight by the aluminum trim. Hmmm. I researched the internet for weeks, trying to find a 1 3/8" cloth wrapped rubber strip, or whatever.... I had never heard the word, 'pirelli', so I didn't google that term. Upon further inspection of those old seals, it dawned on me that it looked like a fire hose sliced right down the middle lengthwise. Here's what I stumbled upon in May 2023 for $20 out the door:

https://www.repurpos...-free-shipping/

(Now, you have to order two ($40 total), or you can buy 1 hose for $40 on eBay---same seller)

Dimensions: Length: 95′ | Diameter: 1.5″ | Hose Width When Flat: 2-3/4″ +/-

So, I laid the hose flat and sliced it down the middle to create 2 x 1.375" wide seals. I need approx 50' to place seals all the way around both top & bottom so only used 25' of the 95' I received...because I had sliced them in half lengthwise. I have enough left over for two more NCO jobs. If anybody is interested, shoot me a message, pay for the shipping cost & it's yours! The site now requires a minimum order of two 95' hoses ($40), but whatcha gonna do with the extra 165' left over?

P.S. The reason I'm inclined to think that these were the original seals is because this 1958 NCO was in exceptional condition. Minor wood rot along upper driver-side wall & curved bulkhead, nothing that needed some dumbass to tear off the skins & rebuild the entire upper driver-side wall & bulkhead. Guess who's a dumbass? But, anyway, as I was stuck on stupid...I was able to inspect the skeleton, and there was no other serious water damage. Whomever had this baby, used it very little & kept her covered. All original & stock appliances. Doesn't look like anybody did any work on her, but who knows. I bought her for $250 from a family who said their father bought it new.