First Smoker/ trailer RF build.....help

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dbear

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 25, 2013
4
10
hey guys, I am planning to build a smoker trailer. I am gonna use one of two propane tanks, one is a 24x62 and the other is a 24x68. I am going the reverse flow route with a square firebox on the rear. For trailer size, I am considering a 5x10, with a 4 foot tongue length. 3500 lb axle. A-frame coupler. The frame with be probably 4 inch channel, and the crossmembers being 3 inch channel. 1/8 in diamond plate for deck.

The trailer axle formula says to put the axle at about 48" from rear of the trailer frame....but it also starts talking about tongue weight and such. With the smoker closer to the rear, should I move the axle back more than the standard 60/40 rule? 

I also thought of doing the trailer a bit smaller ( deck size ) to 4x8, just so the material cost would go down....which would be some but not much. 

Any thoughts on which tank to use....one is about 6 inches bigger, so I really don't see any benefit, but I am new at this and not sure what the best route is. 

Thanks for any help you guys can give.
 
I would go with the bigger tank, it's amazing how after you finish a build you start thinking, "Man I wished I would have gone bigger!".  As far as the trailer, 3500 is probably way over kill, but it's not going to hurt you.  With that size tank, you'll have plenty of rooom either way you choose to go with, 4 x 8 or 5 x 10, but if yo plan on adding any extra goodies like burners, lots of storage, prep areas, etc, once again, bigger is better.  There are plenty of builds on this forum with tanks around your size to take a look at if you haven't already to help you along with your project.  Here are a few...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/135483/1st-time-trailer-rf-build-150-gallon-tank/40#post_959090   This is a current one..and here is mine...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/120465/150-gallon-rf-trailer-build-the-build-continues

Good luck with your build and as always there are plenty of folks here ready to help.
 
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