First build attempt starts Tomorrow! Need help

[Pennywise]

So my father and I will be starting the build for my 500 gal Propane tank smoker/trailer tomorrow. Ive got:

2- 3500lb Dexter axles w/ 4" drop
5- 205/75r15 8-ply tires and wheels
40' 4 inch channel in 2 20' sticks

I also have all the suspension, brakes, etc. to get the trailer build started. I am not the design expert, and my father has built trailers before so I defer to his wisdom...but he also isn't the type to ask for help, and I want to make sure any info I can gather I have available to make my arguments before he starts building. Ultimately I would like to have enough room in the front for some storage, were building a reverse flow, and what seems to be the standard fire box in rear (already cut off one dome) with a warmer box on top. I am recouping funds before purchasing my plate steel, so the goal is to get the trailer built this weekend and be ready to start on the tank again in a couple weeks.

ANY input or links to similar threads already discussed would be greatly appreciated, and of course I understand forum rules such as 'pics or it didn't happen' ;) Thanks in advance!

[Pennywise]

After reading through the forum, I do have a specific question.

What volume difference in flow is there from say a 8" pipe vs a 8" square tube?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[SmokinFF]

8" square is just a touch bigger. I'd say go with either one and you'll be able to adjust with your inlets. Good luck and don't forget pics.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[Pennywise]

So I got the axles built, suspension on, brakes, hubs and tires. Brought in my 2 20' channel peices and tacked them onto the suspension.

Had a ton of cleanup to do to our work space, so thats about all we will get to today. Monday we will install our cross members and get everything permanently set. Took tons of pics, will upload and post later.

Sent from the Q capital of the world

[Pennywise]

After all the hard work I grilled some ribeyes I bought from Paradise locker meats in Trimbal MO this morning.

[SmokinFF]

You should be done with it sometime this afternoon.

[Pennywise]

Well today im @ the city market with the wife. Gonna go to the shop afterwards and see if I have enough steel to do the cross members. If so I will get them installed and measure for my diamond plate tomorrow.

Sent from the Q capital of the world

[Rodcrafter]

Your doing great, the only place I see that could be a concern is the placement of the axles on the frame. In my experience I've seen several folks weld that in place before finding the center of gravity of the cooker. I would only have that concern because the fact your going to have a WB above the FB. That makes that end of the cooker very heavy, it is fine as long as you put it in the right place on the trailer. Size and thicknesses of course come into play. Just trying to give you some food for thought. Here is a link to TQ's work you can see how close he sets this type of cooker to the axles. I place this link knowing he is a member of this web site; http://www.shirleyfabrication.com/

[Pennywise]

They're only tacked in place, and we left 3 foot of beam off the back because my FB will be 36" long, 36 wide and 30 height. The FB will sit right behind the rear axle on this design. I'll check the link, but I can't get it any closer to the FB to even out the weight I thought.

Thanks for the feedback and link.

Sent from the Q capital of the world

[Pennywise]

For some reason my uploaded pictures are tiny.

Anyhow the axle will be 8" from the FB. We got our cross members welded in, added some cross supports, and cut our saddles out of half inch steel plate. Also got those tacked on.

I'm beat, but the trailer is essentially shaped. We are notching the channel and shaping the front out of a solid piece. Pics when I get to a computer.

Sent from the Q capital of the world

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Sounds like you need to reduce the size of your photos so they will upload. 1024x768 or 800x600 work well. If you don't have a program that will reduce the size of your pics, try this online one. http://pixlr.com/editor/
I use it all the time.

[Pennywise]

Sounds like you need to reduce the size of your photos so they will upload. 1024x768 or 800x600 work well. If you don't have a program that will reduce the size of your pics, try this online one. http://pixlr.com/editor/
I use it all the time.

Thanks ill try that. I was just uploading to photobucket straight from my phone.

Sent from the Q capital of the world

[Pennywise]

Photo's of Day 2 of the build:








The cradles are 1/2" steel plate, we may add a 3rd in the center cross member.

[Smokeone]

[Big T]

[Pennywise]

I had a friend who is a metal worker tell me that the cross beams being flat side up (they're notched and welded underneath, and were adding gussets to each spot) was a huge no no and I needed to re-do them. My father is a long-time fabricator, and I trust him, but was hoping TQ or someone else who has built enough of these to know better than me if that system will work.

[SmokinFF]

They would be more load bearing if they were upright, but if you've welded them 100% and gusseted I think you'll be fine.

[FATNECK]

I agree they should be okay. Flipping them the other will give you more strength. Adding gussets will help as well.

[Pennywise]

We are going to do our gussets, notch the channel to start angling the front together so we can mount our pintle (not sure on the spelling) ring on it and I can begin wiring it up for brakes and lights. Sunday funday!

[Pennywise]

OK so its been a busy month of July with vacations and decimating our lake house and rebuilding, but we got back to work this weekend. We flipped the trailer over and welded the underside, then I power washed the tank to get all excess paint off. Then the two of us got it mounted with some hillbilly engineering and an under-powered Kuboda tractor.













It was very VERY satisfying to see the tank sitting up there. We planned on putting the diamond plate down before we set the tank, but because my metal supplier ordered the wrong stuff and it would be 3 weeks before we got a chance to work on it again, I decided to go ahead and set the tank so we can move forward with the build and add the diamond plate in afterwards.

I do have a question: I planned on taking it to a sand blaster here locally, but how much of the inside needs to be cleaned? Do you paint the entire interior as well as the outside? I figured I would, but then that would mean I needed to paint the inside before the baffle went in.

[Puff]

No.. Don't paint the interior. I did sandblast the interior of my tank but only sprayed it down with cooking oil for the first burn in and seasoning. You don't want any paint fouling the meat inside. Mine was used for fuel oil, by taking it down to raw metal and then fired it ups 6-8 times before using it, I was satisfied the smoke was the only flavor on the inside.

[Rodcrafter]

Puff has you on the right track. I was wondering if you thought about putting the axles above the springs so it would be much lower? Your doing a great job and it will work either way just wondering.

[Pennywise]

Thanks! And Rod, if I do that, then all the pressure would be on the u-bolt bracket instead of the springs...plus its the perfect height for me where it sits.

[Rodcrafter]