250 gal. reverse flow build started

aquasport · Mar 1, 2010

Here are some pictures of the reverse flow I am starting on. So far I have only started on the trailer. I am building the trailer from scratch. I should have it done this week and will be able to go pick up the 250 gal. propane tank that I scored for $75 from my local propane company. The whole setup is modeled exactly like the meadow creek TS250 except the warming box above the fire box won't be as tall. I will post more as I get further along but it might be slow going as to keep the wife happy.

Frame 10ft. long and 40 in. wide made from 2 x 1/4" angle

Mounting the axles

Rims and tires installed

Almost done!

Just have a few more welds to do on the frame for strength and add the expanded metal floor and off to get the tank maybe Wed.

bigsal51 · Mar 1, 2010

What kind of axles are those I have never seen anything like that. Trailer looks good. What knd of welder do you use

meateater · Mar 1, 2010

Nice start! Looking forward to the complete build.

aquasport · Mar 1, 2010

Bigsal51, the axles are half torsion axles that I found on E-bay from a company that makes trailers. They were perfect for my build because you can't find a whole torsion axle that is the width of the trailer I'm building. I got them for around $170 with shipping. Each one is rated at 1000#'s so it is like having a 2000# axle.

aquasport · Mar 1, 2010

I almost forgot, I use a Lincoln Arc 225. Works great.

bcfishman · Mar 1, 2010

Oh Man...

This is gonna be fun to watch.

If you dont stay on top of this build with pictures, it's going to be negative points. :-)

Looks great!

aquasport · Mar 1, 2010

Thanks! I will definitely give you guys pron of my build. I'm too excited about it not to!

bigolboysbbq · Mar 1, 2010

Looks like a nice start..as soon as I sell my current smoker I am building a reverse flow also cant wait to see how you do it

kanadan · Mar 1, 2010

that looks great. looking forward to seeing this come together. i'm starting mine next week. what do you think all the materials for that trailer cost that might be the way to go

aquasport · Mar 1, 2010

With the metal and the axles and chrome rims and tires I have a little under $600 in it. I could have got it under $500 if I used regular trailer rims but I wanted it to look good. The steel itself I have less than $200 total so most of the cost is in the axles and rims/tires.

pineywoods · Mar 1, 2010

Looks like a great start and I look forward to more as the build continues

rio_grande · Mar 1, 2010

Looking forward to watching this,,,

Not to be critical, but 1/4 inch angle? is that gonna hold up to the weight of a 250 gal tank bouncing down the road?

Maybee, just a thought.

aquasport · Mar 1, 2010

Oh yea! The 250 only weighs 400#'s and I figure by the time I add the firebox and the rest of the hardware it will be about 750#'s total. Plus with all of the cross members I have added it does not flex at all. If you look at a regular utility trailer like a 5x10 from lowes, it is made with only 3/16 angle and is usually rated for about 1300#'s.

chefrob · Mar 1, 2010

gonna be a good one to watch.........

aquasport · Mar 5, 2010

Ok, got the tank yesterday. Pictures are a little fuzzy due to using cell phone. Will take better pictures once I start cutting on it. The tank sat a long time with the valves out of it at the propane company's yard. The inside is pretty clean except for some rust flakes in the bottom. I pulled the float guage out of it and the pressure relief valve and tried to light them with a lighter to see if they would ignite and they wouldn't so I'm figuring the tank should be safe to cut on. The only thing in the tank would be some residual oil from the propane and the guys at the propane company told me it shouldn't ignite because it has sat so long. Wish me luck!

Oh, by the way, the faceplate on the tank said it was manufactured in 1968. It is in awesome shape for a 42 year old tank!

aquasport · Mar 7, 2010

Ok, I cut out the opening for the firebox and filled up the tank with charcoal and wood to try to burn out the residual oil from the propane. That has got to be one of the worst smells there is. This project is slow going but it will get there. Next will be to build the double wall firebox and cut the opening for the door. It will be a 4ft. wide door with a double rack.

badfrog · Mar 7, 2010

Great looking build. thanks for all the pics!

richoso1 · Mar 7, 2010

I admire your skills and design too. I'll keep an eye out for future postings.

mulepackin · Mar 7, 2010

Very nice build so far. The trailer alone is a great piece of craftsmanship. What method did you use for purging the propane tank? Keep up the good work!

aquasport · Mar 8, 2010

Thanks, I didn't have to purge it. It had been sitting so long with the valves out of it that there was nothing in it.

250 gal. reverse flow build started

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