250 Trailer Smoker

[jwsimpleville]

What was the thickness of your tubing?

[TuscaloosaQ]

That appears to be 1/12 angel iron possibly 2" it is not big enough for the cooker!!!!! I use 2x3 by 11gauge on the main frame and you can use 14 gauge on the cross members if you like. If I was using angel iron it would be a minimum of 3" by 3/16 thick!!!! INMHO!!! Not being critical at all if you want to use what i see Don't do it!!!

[jwsimpleville]

That appears to be 1/12 angel iron possibly 2" it is not big enough for the cooker!!!!! I use 2x3 by 11gauge on the main frame and you can use 14 gauge on the cross members if you like. If I was using angel iron it would be a minimum of 3" by 3/16 thick!!!! INMHO!!! Not being critical at all if you want to use what i see Don't do it!!!

Its all 2x2 1/4", after talking with a friend who has built several trailers he said that would be sufficient.
I can appreciate any constructive feedback, I have quite thick skin and dont take things personally unless they are personal attacks, so keep the feedback coming I take all things stated into consideration when making my final descision.

All that to say this, do you not think 2x2 1/4" will be sufficient? And without wasting what I have already purchased how would you recommend I change it?

[TuscaloosaQ]

Personally I do not think 2x2x1/4"is sufficient and I have been doing this for over 30 years. If that is a 250 gallon tank I say no!!!!!! The solution for me is if you want to use the angel then use it for cross bracing on a tubing frame. You could go with 2x3x14 gauge on the main frame and never have to even consider running into a problem. What size tank am I seeing pictures can be deceiving but I feel like I am giving you good soud advice, that is the bottom line. You have a nice build going my advice is exactly that advice nothing more nothing less. Me personally I would never put angel on a main frame for this reason I have repaired way to many bowed and bent frames

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

I have to agree with TuscaloosaQ on the frame material. It might start out fine but the frame will bow and bend. One bad bump on the road is all it will take. I have built trailers for close to 30 years now and learned my lessons the hard way. I know you have concerns with the money you've spent so far, but in the long run you will be better off building it right the first time.

[The Czar]

So TQ....or CRS....is what he has now salvageable?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[TuscaloosaQ]

He can use the angle for bracing, heck if he were closer I would give him the tubing I just do not want it to go FUBAR and me sit here and not say a word before hand. The cost to correct this is miniscule compared to the possible outcome!!!!!
What size cooker is it !!!!!!!!!????????

[jwsimpleville]

89"x30" aka 250gal. Tank was made in 1956

[TuscaloosaQ]

89"x30" aka 250gal. Tank was made in 1956

Need a better frame I can promise you I am not misleading you!!!!! This is not a knock on you or your abilities in no way, shape, or form it is what is good sound advice. If I am wrong then someone should step up and correct me and I will go back to the drawing board!!!!!!!

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

So TQ....or CRS....is what he has now salvageable?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

I personally would not try to salvage the angle iron frame. The risk is pretty high he will have problems given the size of the tank let alone the weight of the firebox. Like TQ I'm not criticizing the build but trying to give sound advise.

[jwsimpleville]

89"x30" aka 250gal. Tank was made in 1956

Need a better frame I can promise you I am not misleading you!!!!! This is not a knock on you or your abilities in no way, shape, or form it is what is good sound advice. If I am wrong then someone should step up and correct me and I will go back to the drawing board!!!!!!!

So TQ....or CRS....is what he has now salvageable?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

I personally would not try to salvage the angle iron frame. The risk is pretty high he will have problems given the size of the tank let alone the weight of the firebox. Like TQ I'm not criticizing the build but trying to give sound advise.

Understood, so I have another question ........
How do I address drainage issues on the tubing to prevent it from rusting out internally?
As this held me back when originally considering it for this project.
Would Channel Iron work better and have less weight?

[TuscaloosaQ]

What drainage issu are you speaking about???? I cap the ends of my tubing, if you are concerned then go on the bottom side and pop a couple of small holes. Channell will be fine no lighter than tubing. Tubing gives a trailer a clean look in my opinion it is my preference

[jwsimpleville]

Please forgive the lack of knowledge in this area, as I've always worked with plate steel and angle and just heard of people having issues or the potential for issues if rain water were to get inside the frame of the trailer when using tubing.
One more question and forgive me if this sounds crazy, but I'll ask it anyway because I just won't know unless I ask.

Can you cut tubing similar to coping angle so that you wouldn't have to cut additional pieces to cap the ends?
In other words cut a section from the end leaving a "flap" to cover the side rail opening. If you need me to I may can draw a picture to better explain, but Im just wondering if it would hurt the structural capabilities when the only goal by doing this extra step would be cosmetic.

[TuscaloosaQ]

Yep you can do exactly what you are talking about, in my case I just cap with a piece of flat bar faster for me because I have it lying around usually. Generally I have to cap the back only because on the front the angel pieces that go from the corner of the trailer ie braces are seal welded and take care of the capping process. The capping process is for cosmetics only in my opinion. There is no such thing as a silly or dumb question, the only ones that are silly or dumb are the ones that are not asked cause they lead to goofy mistakes!!!! I do not have all the answers and am no guru i just share my own experiences

[The Czar]

am no guru i just share my own experiences...




you are in fact the building guru......were not worthy...were not worthy....

[jwsimpleville]

So I priced a 24' piece of 2x3 1/8" at $61 each. I guess I will be picking up 3 next Monday and begin the trailer on Tuesday.

[TuscaloosaQ]

So I priced a 24' piece of 2x3 1/8" at $61 each. I guess I will be picking up 3 next Monday and begin the trailer on Tuesday.

There you go you will not regret it

[jwsimpleville]

Been thinking that I can use the 2x2 1/4" that I have to make the wood box and any storage bin frames, might be over-kill but its better than wasting the angle.

[The Czar]

Whew....so glad you are doing the advice given....I know you won't be disappointed !!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[jwsimpleville]

Yep you can do exactly what you are talking about, in my case I just cap with a piece of flat bar faster for me because I have it lying around usually. Generally I have to cap the back only because on the front the angel pieces that go from the corner of the trailer ie braces are seal welded and take care of the capping process. The capping process is for cosmetics only in my opinion. There is no such thing as a silly or dumb question, the only ones that are silly or dumb are the ones that are not asked cause they lead to goofy mistakes!!!! I do not have all the answers and am no guru i just share my own experiences

I've got quite a bit of flat bar laying around from overestimating things on another build, what size do you use to cap the ends?

[TuscaloosaQ]

Whatever I have lying around. I generally take a metabo and cut me a piece I try and cut it smaller so when I weld it up I will have penetration so after it is ground smooth it will look good

[jwsimpleville]

Ok was just wondering if you had some specific sizes in mind the make it easy, looks like I'll wing it.

[jwsimpleville]

Trip to the metal yard today, and I should be ready to frame up the trailer and tack up and weld most of the firebox tomorrow, and BOY AM I LOOKING FOWARD TO GETTIN - ER- DONE

[jwsimpleville]

So after two days of work, ALOT OF MEASURING, REMEASURING and cutting, I've got the frame for the trailer done. Here's a few pics of the progress, let me know what you think.

[TuscaloosaQ]

That is what I am talking about... I like it