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

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axle 2.jpg

axle 2.jpg

Heres the axle......its 14" wheel, 2 1/2" diameter axle, 4 lug, but looks like heavy duty rim....axle is 65" insode to inside.   should I get it for $40? He also has the same one without brakes. I dont plan on running brakes, should I just get the one without em? axle clearence is 3" from ground with low tire pressure....lemme know soon, thanks...Smokin!

axle 1.jpg

axle 1.jpg

 
SW, evening..... Get both of them..... Load them in the truck and leave....   Offer $50 for the pair.... If he says NO.... give him the $80.... 

They look like they are 2000# per axle to me... from a small boat trailer looking at the rust......   By the way, fill in your location in your profile...  It will help in answering lots of questions.....   Like you live in Fla, near the ocean and the rest of that boat trailer dissolved into a rust ball.... Where in Fla...
 
I would get it for that price. A new one would be $200 for spring type, or $400 for rubber torsion. The springs, shackles, and hangers should be about $100.
Being a 2.5" tube, I would say probably 3000 or 3500 pound axle. That should be enough, i think. The smoker will probably be 1500lbs or so when done.
 
Thanks dave and ras. Dave atm I dont have the room or really need both axles. Plus id rather use the extra $ on the spring and mounts. Thanks for the heads up though. I will add location when I have aces to cpu. On phone right now. Ill grab the one without brakes then since I wont be using them. Its ganna take some cleaning up. I hope the other axle rims on the one with no brakes arent beat up too bad to mess up seal. Ill take pics tomm when I get her home. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.....smokin.

Ps what springs should I get? What else will I need....I am a fabricator welder so if I can build it lemm know. Thanks.
 
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Get springs that match the weight of the trailer and the smoker and all the stuff.... decking etc.... You will probably be at 2500#'s  I would put both axles under it for safety.... Flat tires etc.... You can run on 3 tires but not on 1.... It will be more stable with 2 axles also.... trying to build "cheap" will bite you in the long run....  And that is a real good price on dropped axles....  If you need a second axle in the future, you will kick yourself long and hard..... Spend the $40 now....  
 
Did you see the bolt pattern? Is it a older style hub? Will I be able to find parts like bearings or anothe spare rim? Never seen a wheel like that.
 
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i just recently started my 250 rf build,  i took out all the top bungs and filled it with water and dawn let it sit for about 2 weeks then emptied it then i let it sit for about a week in open air   i have to admit that i was nervous to cut into it so i got a torch and taped it to a long piece of wood and shoved the flame into one of the top bungs it didnt even pop just my 2$ worth

im thinking of mounting mine on a boat trailer so i still have room for my other 3 smokers and afew coolers    how big is your firebox gonna be?
 
brian deckard said:
i just recently started my 250 rf build,  i took out all the top bungs and filled it with water and dawn let it sit for about 2 weeks then emptied it then i let it sit for about a week in open air   i have to admit that i was nervous to cut into it so i got a torch and taped it to a long piece of wood and shoved the flame into one of the top bungs it didnt even pop just my 2$ worth

im thinking of mounting mine on a boat trailer so i still have room for my other 3 smokers and afew coolers    how big is your firebox gonna be?
Click to expand...
I havnt even thought about it yet. I need to get this trailer going so i can use it as a work table. Getting my tank in the air and making it movable is my main priority. 

Im thinking twice about buying this axle now. The hub is really different. I need someone to chime in and let me know if this style hub, or wheel will give me problems when it comes to obtaining parts. thank you....Smokin!
 
smokinwelder said:
Did you see the bolt pattern? Is it a older style hub? Will I be able to find parts like bearings or anothe spare rim? Never seen a wheel like that.
Click to expand...
Hard to tell without actually measuring the bolt circle, but it looks larger than the standard 4 - 4 trailer bolt pattern. It is probably going to be hard to find rims if those are rusted through. 
 
Well heres the scoop on the axle, hubs, and rims...........they are Dexstar from a Apache travel trailer. The 12" hub axle is rated at 5200#'s, and the 10" hub axle is rated at 3500#'s. I also read that any 6 or 8 lug hubs can be swapped with these. A brand new 14" rim is $72. 14" rim, width 5.5", capacity 1,860 #'s. Bolt pattern is 4 on 9.44, offset +1/1" moves wheel in.

phew......that took a while. So heres where Im at. 

pros: I can buy for $40, the axle is stong, I can swap with 6 or 8 lug hubs.

cons: I think the bearing are like $70 or more....(not sure yet), rims are a lil pricey.

so, what would you do?

edit:  bearings are cheap.......sorry.
 
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I would buy the heavier one, I like to overbuild things. Even if you have to replace the bearings you are under the cost of a new axle. If the rims are good you're even better. If you buy a new axle, they don't come with rims anyway. If the hubs aren't warped or something I would not worry about swapping just to get a more common bolt pattern.
 
I have a friend who has a 80",(frame would be 80" outside to outside) torsion axle with spindles, 5 lug hubs, bearings, and ford ranger rims thatll fit for $125. Going to look at it tomm. 
 
Sounds good. Just keep an eye on the weight capacity rating for the axle. Try to keep in mind of the total weight of the rig and gear......
 
Well I picked up the 3500# torsion axle with hubs, and bearings. I also got 15" wheels and tires for $150 total. The axle still had the pcking slip attached to it. the rims and wheels are used but in fine shape to use. Im glad I didnt buy the old 4 on 9.44 axle that was all rusted. Probably needed bearings, rims and tires...and a whole lot of cleaning. Thanks everyone for pointing me in the right directions when I have questions. 

So heres the plan, (which changes everyday, lol.)...I was thinking of making  6' 8" wide frame 12' long excluding toungue. Whay material should I use for the frame?  local guy said he would use 2x2x1/4" angle for the frame, 2x2x3/16" angle for cross braces, and 3x3x1/4" angle for the toungue. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys!!!!   Smokin!
 
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