First time slide in camper build

Wanted to throw these out into the wind. This is my first project aside from a dinky planter for my yard so please let me know if I can improve anywhere!

 

Really cool work! how much does it weigh?

 

@boston23 I’ve estimated around 700 lb. I have air bags on the way to help out my leaf springs

 

Not too bad, i think dobinson makes a 700lb leaf spring

 

Here she is on the truck and a photo of the back. I have since rehung the door to sit a bit better (still not superb) and plan to add more weather protection around the edges. I have also run into an issue with the seem along the frame of the door where the laterally running boards meet, I did not do a good enough job sealing the gap, and water has seeped in and warped the wood. Hoping it lays back down once the humidity chills out but not certain that will happen. There is no stud behind to fasten the boards flush to unfortunately but I will continue to ponder. She also sustained minor wounds in the loading process (-20/10 experience but entirely my fault for trying to avoid getting jacks but it got there and I have since purchased jacks). I plan to repair the damaged spots with a tough patching putty or compound (would love a suggestion if anyone has one in mind) and then place metal corner edges along the outside. Truly did not know what I was getting into with this project but she's coming along and I'm learning. also learning that I have MUCH to learn so if you have any suggestions, please shoot them my way!

 

Also, if there is an existing thread on tire recs for carrying campers of this type a guide in the right direction would be much appreciated!

 

No offense intended but I'm not quite sure what you're asking to be honest. You've got a lot of areas where you may be getting water intrusion- and where you're probably going to get intrusion in the not too distant future.

I saw where you screwed one of the front panels on but I didn't catch any other mention of how you attached the paneling and planks to your frame (that screw into the foam isn't doing anything, you can take it out and fill that hole if you want). Is there some sort or moisture barrier between the layers? Are those exterior boards tongue and groove or just butted against each other? It also looked like you had butt joints and I couldn't see how you sealed them. I don't think your frame is rigid enough to start with, gluing the exterior material on would have helped tie it all together, it's one of the ways the teardrop trailer folks manage to use very lightweight material but still keep it rigid. As it is, again, just from what I can see on the videos, I think you're going to get a lot of racking/movement which is going to lead to more problems down the road, i.e. screws pulling loose. I know you said you were learning so I'd suggest checking out some of the websites where others are on build number whatever, i.e. they've built several of them at this point and each build is an improvement based on issues they've had. Also check out some of the boat building videos and websites as a lot of the woodworking techniques are the same or similar. Lots of good tips and tricks here: Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers- https://www.tnttt.com/

Great Stuff and the other expanding foams are usually water resistant, but not waterproof and that depends on them having formed/maintained a good seal. The vibration and movement of the vehicle is going to affect that and even covered in Flex Seal I don't see it holding up well in an exposed application. Unless you've done something under your corners and that green flashing along the sides you're going to have water coming in. You need more of an overhang and some sort of drip rail along the back over the door as the water is going to run off your roof and straight down the back including the door. Dutch doors are classic camper styling but they've got to be straight, they need a rigid frame to support them and ensure no sagging and you need some sort of way to seal where they split so that water doesn't run into the split. You're going to get water between your siding from your window openings too unless you get some sort of surround/flashing/something in there. Remember you have to take into consideration that you will have water coming more or less straight down when stationary but also from the sides when you are moving.

This guy has one of the most epic home built truck campers and he's taken it all over. Obviously Tacomas won't hold anything remotely close to his build, but some of his videos talk about how he built it and how it's holding up and the repairs he's made; mainly I'm just jealous of his build and some of the adventures he's had. https://www.youtube.com/@TruckHouseLife/videos

I'd be looking at load range E tires. They ride like crap because they have stiff sidewalls, but it'll help with the sway you're going to get on the road, especially in windy areas.