The Texas BBQ Forum

Hello everyone. Im building a new trailer pit, and wanted to know what you would add or thought was really needed. Things I know so far, it will be a 42" x 8', 2 doors, counter weighted, with probly 4 food racks in each, with a 1/2" thick square offset firebox, log rack on one side. I think. I have a couple 14' long pieces of 42" pipe, both new, one .375 and one .500. Will the 1/2" thick help any or just use the 3/8ths?? I am building the trailer from scratch, so I can build it like needed. I will have a couple propane burners for sure. Things I am not sure on are...

Upright smoker? Im pretty sure im adding one, 42x42 but????
Insulated fire box?? Do I really need one? I have a few sheets of 1/2" plate, so I could build one with what I have.
Gas assisted fire box? I will have a log lighter or weed burner of some type.
Steak pit or another small pit on the trailer? I have 6 or 7' of 30". I would like a small pit for steaks or fajitas.
Tables or cutting boards? I think I have enough stainless to make 2 lids over the log rack that could be used as tables/cutting boards.
Storage boxes? Thinking a couple 2x3ish with locking lids.

This pit will be used for family get togethers and a few cook-offs.
This is what I have so far. I will be building this here in my shop. Thoughts? What else do I need? Do you guys have stuff on your pit that you don't use or wish you had? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Troy

Hey Plan B, have a look at this link and check out the pics of a pit I had built at Klose. For the most part the equipment is standard Klose equipment. It was laid out by me, and I had them change the roof design up a little, and I had them extend the cutting boards out so you wouldn't have to lean way over to cut meat. But the process in building this one was to make cooking as easy as it can be. So my recommendation is if you have room for it, and can afford to put it on your pit, you will be glad you did.

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Greg R.

Plan B, if you go with the .500 wall I would definitely go larger than 3500 lb. axles that will be a beast. I have a friend that has a 96" x 30" .500 wall three door cooker and he is running two 5000 lb. axles I believe.
As far as the other stuff.
Upright smoker? Im pretty sure im adding one, 42x42 but????
Put it if you want it, personally I do not care for them.

Insulated fire box?? Do I really need one? I have a few sheets of 1/2" plate, so I could build one with what I have.
Never found the need for one, the difference in amount of wood I burn to one that is insulate comparing cookers of the same size is not justifiable. In my opinion unless you are insulating the cooking chamber as well then just the firebox is a waste of material.

Gas assisted fire box? I will have a log lighter or weed burner of some type.
Not needed, I use my weed burner.

Steak pit or another small pit on the trailer? I have 6 or 7' of 30". I would like a small pit for steaks or fajitas.
Yes a grill is nice. I have a 20" diam. x 36" grill that gets a work out I love my grill.

Tables or cutting boards? I think I have enough stainless to make 2 lids over the log rack that could be used as tables/cutting boards.
Tables are nice, I have a 24" x 60" fold down prep table ( expanded metal surface. I use my cutting boards on it).

Storage boxes? Thinking a couple 2x3ish with locking lids.
As much storage as you can get is my experience. It does not all have to be dry storage but it does help.
I will add hot & cold running water. My cooker is set up with a 30 gall fresh water tank. I run on a 110 volt sure-flo pump but I am piped to hook up to city water as well.
I have an Eco-temp on demand propane water heater.
I hope this helps.

Thanks for the input guys. I was thinking about the .500 thick, well, cause its laying in the pasture. I don't have to, but I have both. I will use 6000lb or 7000lb axels. They are not that much difference in price. Very nice pit Greg, that is kinda what I was thinking about.
K.A.M. thanks for your time. I agree with your answers or responses, im just not just not sure about in sinks. I could get this project done sooner and less $ if I didn't have them, I am just concerned that I would wish I had them later.
Thanks Troy

Plan B wrote:K.A.M. thanks for your time. I agree with your answers or responses, im just not just not sure about in sinks. I could get this project done sooner and less $ if I didn't have them, I am just concerned that I would wish I had them later.
Thanks Troy

I am going to be real honest right here.
If you asked me which I prefer my grill or my sinks with hot & cold running water that grill is gone without a second thought.

Troy,

Put everything on that pit that you possibly can. The upright smoke box, the sinks, the steak/fajita grill, the burners, the log rack, the cutting boards, roof, sides, lights, and anything else you have room for, or money for. Do it right, and do it once. You won't regret any of it. Use the 3/8 wall pipe. In my opinion anything thicker than that you are just adding weight.

Adding a sink into my build plans was the best thing i did. Ive used it more then i thought i ever would.

I've had a couple oklahoma joe trailer units and a big klose and on the last ok joe, I insulated the firebox. After insulating, I used 1/4 of the fuel in the winter than before insulating. It gets cold in Kansas, but I think it saved a lot of fuel and it shouldn't cost much if you do it when you build the pit. I would definitely insulate it if you have the money.

Another idea that may save some time is to install a hot and cold water faucet with no sink. We had an Outback Toy Hauler and it had an "outdoor kitchen" that was a small fold down plastic sink, with a hot cold faucet that had a coiled hose with a spray nozzle attached. The sink was pretty useless, but the hot water was awesome.

My trailer pit had 2 plastic slop sinks, one to wash in and one for rinsing, sure are handy, if space is a problem, cove them with fold down cutting area. just my 2 cents
Good luck