SmokinWelders First Smoker Ever!!!! 250 gallon/trailer build
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rasimmo
Meat Mopper
The spring rate is in the rubber. If you apply heat to it that rate changes. You can not do a proper weld on it without applying heat to the rubber even if you are 2 feet away from it. When the axles are built, the last thing on is the rubber. After all the welding is done.
rasimmo
Meat Mopper
SW, Fabricate plates with matching holes that mate to the brackets on the axle.... Cut and shorten the axle as I stated in the previous post... Just weld the center.... No slip fittings are necessary over the joint.... The brackets/plates need to mate under the frame for proper axle support....... When installing the axle, have the plates installed on the axle.... set everything in place.... Measure from the coupler to the ends of the spindles for proper tracking...... Tack the plates.... remove the axle.... weld the plates or through bolt them so they could be moved later.......when I said tack each end to trailer it was just for staying in place while welding center of axle, then cut tacks. But I understand I think. So on my axle made for a 80" trailer, how narrow do you think i could get away with?SW, Do not weld the axle to the trailer.... Weld plates with matching bolt holes for the support plates and bolt it... You can move the axle later for tongue weight adjustment... If you want the trailer to track right for seeing down the side out of the mirror, you can do that.... Notice semi trailers track right so the driver can see what is behind him in the mirrors... If you do it like your buddy said, you can't get the caster/camber , toe in/out correct... don't worry about rubber in the axle.... it is only inside the tube about 10-12"... You can see where they welded the axle to the torsion section, (usually)..... There is a pic of torsion spindles....
Now you know how I would do this job..... Dave
The spindles need to be "trailing".... behind the axle... when installed.....
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Thanks Dave for the drawing. But Im still a lil confused since my plates on axle look like this.....SW, Fabricate plates with matching holes that mate to the brackets on the axle.... Cut and shorten the axle as I stated in the previous post... Just weld the center.... No slip fittings are necessary over the joint.... The brackets/plates need to mate under the frame for proper axle support....... When installing the axle, have the plates installed on the axle.... set everything in place.... Measure from the coupler to the ends of the spindles for proper tracking...... Tack the plates.... remove the axle.... weld the plates or through bolt them so they could be moved later.......
Now you know how I would do this job..... Dave
The spindles need to be "trailing".... behind the axle... when installed.....
Well theres no turning back now. I took out 16" off each side, so 32" total. That leaves me with a 48" wide trailer. Tanks is 30" wide. 9" of space on each side. Theres only 11" of rubber from each end, so theres 13" from the rubber to where Ill be making my weld. Thanks Dave!
If your really worried about the heat transferring down the axle to the rubber... wrap a old WET towel around the axle down towards the rubber (keep it wet)... that will stop the heat from reaching the rubber.... Myself i think I would of left the axle as it was so I could have put other things on the trailer...
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Other things? Only other things I might add is a propane setup and tool box for storage. Im ganna keep it simple and clean. Dave where ya at buddy?
soakin in cider...........
soakin in cider...........
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oh snap......will I be able to run in comps with such a small trailer? do I need rooms for fresh and grey water tanks......? or will I be ok.
themidniteryder
Smoke Blower
Depends on the event and your local health dept. rules. AFAIK out here the teams are covered under a blanket permit pulled by the organizer. However if you want to compete in the peoples choice award you have to have the proper health dept. approved rig. Out here in my county that means fresh and Grey water tanks, triple sink for washing dishes, a separate stand alone sink for hand washing, and hot water (120+) as a starter. A "safe food handler" cert may also be required for any type of event you cook at. I am currently in design phase for a mobile rig that will meet health department regs in any county as I plan to use it for comps as well as private catering. After 3 years of research all I can say is slow down, take a step back and do some research. don't put the cart, or in this case the pit, before the horse. I know you are excited to move forward but if you jump the gun you will be severely disappointed.Look for an old, cheap travel trailer, that should give you your tanks, pump, and water heater. Use only NFS approved piping and materials. It may get expensive to do it right the first time, but it is cheaper than doing it twice, and better than getting discouraged when you get an "unapproved" stamp and say the heck with it. also, keep detailed pictures, drawings (blueprints), and receipts. I know out here I have to actually pull a build permit just like building a brick and mortar restaurant to get my rig legal as we build it.
if thats the case ill just use this for my personal and family/freind use. I just wanted to be able to compete in comps if I wanted too. But if I have to do all that............im not in this to make a living........just have fun, and enjoy great food with others.
themidniteryder
Smoke Blower
Before you get discouraged, check with your local health inspector, visit a contest in the area you want to cook and find the organizer and pick his brain. Rules vary stat to state, county to county, and even city to city. California is probably on of the tightest regulated states in the country, just throwing a worst case senario for you so you are not blindsided.
so far from what ive read.......most places have water and electric for the first 65 teams. no mention of clean or grey water. hmmmmmmm...?
themidniteryder
Smoke Blower
Some have c/g water access, some don't. Depends on the event location. You should have room under the frame for the minimum required tanks. Weather required or not, it would be nice to have hot h2o on your cook site be it at a back yard or at a comp. Even in your back yard, do you really want to run inside every time you need to wash your hands?
jabbo
Meat Mopper
You will absolutely need clean and grey water on any trailer that is in any type of event in Florida. You will also need a hand washing sink, as well as some sort of 3 compartment sink for cleaning purposes. The water must reach a temp of 104 degrees. The 3 compartment sink can be as simple as three plastic tubs big enough to hold your biggest equipment. You will be inspected before any event and be required to either show a license or purchase a temporary event license. Some events require food service insurance also. The best thing to do is contact the sponsor of any event that you plan on attending for specific insurance amounts as well as any other requirements.
This is the information the local inspector gave me last week. I called them to make sure a got everything right for my rig before I build it. She also told me that the state website is very confusing and can be misleading. I would suggest you contact the sponsors and the local inspectors office for details. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the simplicity of it all.
This is the information the local inspector gave me last week. I called them to make sure a got everything right for my rig before I build it. She also told me that the state website is very confusing and can be misleading. I would suggest you contact the sponsors and the local inspectors office for details. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the simplicity of it all.
when you contact the people running the events, make sure you are clear that you are wanting to compete only, not vend as well. There will be some different guidelines, but the only way to make sure you are in line with the rules is to contact each event coordinator and ask.
Some of the solutions can be very simple. For running water you can get a tank, pump and most of the hosing from tractor supply. Hot water can be as simple as a pot of water that is kept hot. The 3 compartment sink, like Jabbo said 3 tubs big enough to hold your biggest thing to wash. Hand sink can be a water cooler with warm water in it with a bucket under it to catch the water.
As mentioned, take your time and come up with a correct plan so you only have to do things once if the comps are what you want to do. I have been planning my rig for 2 years now and I have not even made the first cut yet. Actually due to cost I am changing the smoker design I was set on for the last several months. If you have not yet gone to any, go to a couple comps and talk with the competitors. You have seen when the turn in times are. Avoid asking them questions for 2 hours before the first turn in till an hour after the last turn in. That is the pressure time and they will not likely be willing to stop and answer questions.
Some of the solutions can be very simple. For running water you can get a tank, pump and most of the hosing from tractor supply. Hot water can be as simple as a pot of water that is kept hot. The 3 compartment sink, like Jabbo said 3 tubs big enough to hold your biggest thing to wash. Hand sink can be a water cooler with warm water in it with a bucket under it to catch the water.
As mentioned, take your time and come up with a correct plan so you only have to do things once if the comps are what you want to do. I have been planning my rig for 2 years now and I have not even made the first cut yet. Actually due to cost I am changing the smoker design I was set on for the last several months. If you have not yet gone to any, go to a couple comps and talk with the competitors. You have seen when the turn in times are. Avoid asking them questions for 2 hours before the first turn in till an hour after the last turn in. That is the pressure time and they will not likely be willing to stop and answer questions.
I just went to a comp 2 weeks ago. We has all the goodies but there was a guy that had no sinks no hot water and he won second in chicken.
this is us taking 3rd in ribs and second in briskit.
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jabbo
Meat Mopper
Congrats on the 3rd place finish. That is why you need to contact the event sponsor and the local inspector. Some of the regulations sound a lot more stringent than they actually are. Also some events are exempt from some of the regulations. For instance, if it is sponsored by a nonprofit, then no inspection is required. All the speculation can be settled with a 5 minute phone call. Good luck.
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