SmokinWelders First Smoker Ever!!!! 250 gallon/trailer build

smokinwelder · Jan 14, 2013

Ok, well i have made up my mind on the design exept for 1 aspect. I would like to keep both round ends of my tank, but I also want to have a "warming box". Now.....I have seen smokers with boths ends still intact, but the stack comes out of the tank before it gets to the warmer box. The warmer box is sealed. Now, I have been around smokers that have the one end cut off where the fire box and warming box is, and the stack comes out of the top of the warming box. I would like mine to come out of the warming box so I can use the warming box as a smoking area, but so I have to cut off the round end in order to accomplish that without sacrificing the area of the round end? Thanks, Smokin!

smokinwelder · Jan 15, 2013

Wheres everybody at? I got started on the trailer today. Ive gatta make a few cuts for the tounge, and then ill be able to get the axle thats in 2 pieces....

situated and have her rolling. I also pucked up the cupler for the tounge today. I need to get this trailer done....or at least close to so I can get the tank on there and have a portable 500# tank.

daveomak · Jan 15, 2013

If you add the warming box to the cook chamber, and have the smoke flow through it, you have to recalculate the cook chamber volume.... recalculate the size of the firebox.... recalculate the various openings and the exhaust stack..... Make the changes and go for it..... and build a beefier trailer to hold the additional weight......

Dave

smokinwelder · Jan 16, 2013

well its been a slow start, but heres what I have so far. I feel I can get the axle, (which is in 2 pieces because of being shortened) can be installed next.

trailer.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 16, 2013

if you notice, ( sorry about the night pics) the toungue tubing only goes so far, but almost to the rear. The axle will be behind the toungue material, and rest on the frame material. What do you think?

themidniteryder · Jan 16, 2013

If your putting it where I think you are, that would leave the angle iron frame bearing all the weight in one spot, rather than the main frame carrying it and spreading the weight out. I would put it right behind your wagon. Also, I would mock everything up with tack welds, set the tank and fire box on to see how your balance is before permanently welding everything up.

themidniteryder · Jan 16, 2013

It has been years since I calculated weight & balance and center of gravity for airplanes so I would have to go back and find some notes. If you have access to a couple of scales you could figure it out though. Look here for a basic explaination: http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Center-of-Gravity

smokinwelder · Jan 17, 2013

There is no angle iron. Sorry for the crappy pic but the frame is acually longer than it looks. Right behind the wagon is about center. The tank center will be behind that then theres firebox weight. The axle will be more towards the rear. Il take better pics tonight.

bnew17 · Jan 17, 2013

SmokinWelder...i think the weight distribution of the tank on the trailer should be 60/40 . 60 being in front of the axle, 40 behind.

smokinwelder · Jan 17, 2013

How do I know where 60/40 is before building firebox, racks, and mounting tank?

ribwizzard · Jan 17, 2013

I prefer to build the smoker first, and as your building it you will reallize where the center point of gravity is.. and then center that above the axle....modify the trailer at that point to fit the smoker.

When the rig is empty, I want to be able to pick the tongue up and move it around by hand. Proper towing tongue weight will be achieved when the cooking wood, water, coolers of meat, ect are added to the trailer.

rasimmo · Jan 17, 2013

smokinwelder said:
How do I know where 60/40 is before building firebox, racks, and mounting tank?

Either do some math to calculate the weight based on sq ft of material and weight (1/4" plate is 10.2 lbs/sq ft I think). That just makes my head hurt. I like Ribwizzard's idea. Build it on the trailer like you want it with the trailer on jack stands or something. Then place the axle last to make it right. That is my plan with mine anyway.

jabbo · Jan 17, 2013

I would have to agree with the other guys. It is just easier to use jack stands and either bolt or tack the tank in place. Find the balance point, remove the tank and weld axle on. It is much easier and accounts for the unknown weight of the tank and FB. But if you're into it there are formulas to figure it out the hard way.

smokinwelder · Jan 17, 2013

Well today is a landmark for me. Ive almost got something done, lol. I need this trailer to move my smoker back and forth to the garage, and (out of site) pad. I fixed the axle where I think ill be able to use a warming/smoke box above my fire box. If not, ill move it. Its my first trailer ever, so be easy. Thanks everyone for the advice, and for watching. Almost where I can start on the smoker.....

almost2.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 17, 2013

almost3.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 17, 2013

almost3.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 17, 2013

amlost1.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 17, 2013

daveomak · Jan 17, 2013

SW, evening...... Trailer looks good..... Also looks like the balance will be very close to right on... I think it would be hard to get stuff done, looking at the view I see...... Lounge and a cold beer would be good....

smokinwelder · Jan 18, 2013

On the 60/40 rule where is the 60 in the front? I would think you would want less weight in the front....?

rasimmo · Jan 18, 2013

Looks nice, now for the fun part.

About the "(out of site) pad" you mentioned. I am going to assume that is so your wife does not have to look at it. I have the same issue. I have learned over the last 13 years that if you put it right out front and in her way, she complains about the money you are spending a lot less. Sometimes it even becomes her idea to go get the stuff to finish it. Just a thought.

rasimmo · Jan 18, 2013

smokinwelder said:
On the 60/40 rule where is the 60 in the front? I would think you would want less weight in the front....?

Yes the 60 is in front. If you don't have some tongue weight it will sway all over the road.

smokinwelder · Jan 19, 2013

Aw man, Im sick! I wanna get my coupler done today and cap all the open ends to keep water out.................ill see how I feel in a bit.....

smokinwelder · Jan 21, 2013

20130121_132841.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 21, 2013

shes a roller.....:yahoo:

20130121_134752.jpg

smokinwelder
Jan 21, 2013

caublecustomfab · Jan 22, 2013

looks like you are making good progress

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