BBQ trailer build w/pics Updated 7/6/10

[ChadMist]

OK guys/gals here it is the first piece. I am excited to start. I will have a ton of questions and know this is the place for answers. The pipe is 36" od and 4 ft long. Here is the first question. What size trailer should I use? I am thinking a 6x10 or 5x10 should have room to grow. I am undecided if I need trailer brakes or for that matter tandem wheels or single will be ok? I will be putting the bbq on one side of the trailer over the wheels.

bbq pipe.jpg

[ChadMist]

Anyone have an idea of size trailer I need or if I need tandem trailer? I was thinking 6x10 tandem.

[DATsBBQ]

Seeing it in the back of the truck, it appears to be happy there. Not being a S.A., but has any ever mounted them in the back of a pickup? Tailgate would have to go and let the fire box hang off the back.

I saw a pick of one mounted on a deuce and a half, looked way cool. Think that pic was on this board.

[Pony Express]

whats the weight of the pipe. Thats a BIG piece of pipe

I will say that no matter how big you make the trailer, it will be too small.

The one I'm building right now is 5x10. single axle 3500 pound.

[ChadMist]

From what I have looked up on the net my guess is it weights 800 lbs. 36" pipe 4 ft long 1/2 in steel. I was looking to get a 6x10 or a 5x10 trailer. I think the main chamber will fall over the axle and fire box hanging off end of trailer. I plan on adding things here and there as funds come up.

[CJATE]

i'd not mess with a tandem axle until you reach 4k lbs or more.... OR, go over 10' long... it will pull better.

when I had the same question, everyone told me to go bigger as you will want more later. there are so many 8x16 tandem trailers on CL,,, just pick one up and start there.

as for breaks, that's up the the vehicle you use to pull it with. my 3/4ton is good with 6-7k w/o breaks much over that I'd want breaks,,, your toy might want breaks closer to 5k.

it's going to add up quick if you pipe is already 1000lbs

go big or go home

Edit, I bout an old RV frame was 20' I cut it down to 15' once I had it they way I wanted. was only a few hundred bucks,

[Kenny 13]

Seeing it in the back of the truck, it appears to be happy there. Not being a S.A., but has any ever mounted them in the back of a pickup? Tailgate would have to go and let the fire box hang off the back.

I saw a pick of one mounted on a deuce and a half, looked way cool. Think that pic was on this board.

That's scarry because the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture is that it would be cool to just build it into the truck That would be a pretty neat setup. Definitely a conversation piece.

36" pipe, you're gonna have a nice setup there. Good capacity. Keep posting pictures of your build as you go along.

[Pony Express]

If you buy an existing trailer, your going to have to be careful with weight balance.
Placement of that pipes weight in relation to the axle is going to be important. I had to cut and move the axle on my first pit because is was tail heavy. On my current build, the axle is just tacked on for now until the pit and fire box is mounted. If it needs to be moved forward or rearward, it will be easy. Once axle position is settled, i will weld on solid and mount fenders.

Also, if say you wanted to have the pipe to the rear of a production trailer and the tongue was lite or like mine, it sat on its tail, don't figure that your wood and ice chests loaded in the front will fix the problem. When you head home from a comp, all that wood and meat and ice and beer is gone!!! thus your ballast is gone. Trailer/pit needs to be weighted correctly when empty.
Thats why I build my trailers. Cost me just a much but I don't have to make changes to get it to work.
JMO, YMMV

[ChadMist]

Thanks all for the info on the trailers. I am going to be ok with the single 3500 lb axle I have priced out.

I plan on cutting this thing open today and have a few questions.

1. What thickness/ width flat bar should I use for the gap on the door? It is going to be a heavy mofo

2. When I use cutting torches to cut the door, should I worry about warping on 1/2 THK steel? I plan on cutting all but the 4 corners until I get the stripping for the doors.

Thanks in advance

[Pony Express]

I use 1" x 1/8 for door banding.

Always a possibility of warpage when using a torch.

I am going to cut my doors out all the way this time and then weld on the banding, then set back in place and apply the hinges.

[ChadMist]

OK well I cut out the door last night. I also picked up my fire box and so other goodies. I bought 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" angle iron for the racks and 1 1/2" x 1/8" flat bar for the door. There is also 3 6" barrel hinges.
Cutting the door was hard but fun. I have a new respect for you welders out there. It truly is an art. 1/2" steel is a lot of metal to burn through.

Not the best cuts but I have never cut anything before with torches. Learning curve is steep knowing you only have one chance.

cut pipe.jpg

fire box.jpg

[ChadMist]

Well I have the whole door cut now except the corners. It is time to add my hinges but have a couple of questions on placement.

Here is my problem. The cut is about 1/4 wide. I dont know where to mount my hinges.

cut dim.jpg

Here it is in the middle of the cut. This has enough of a tab to weld to.

hinge middle of cut.jpg

Here it is on the side of the cut but I do not have enough to weld to.

hinge on side of cut.jpg

[Bluz]

If you dont have enough there to weld to, I would add a pc of 1/4" x 3/4 or 1" wide flat, to the door, and close that hole then weld to the flat. Just make sure not to get it so close that it hinders the opening of the door. Lay your Hinges just like it sets then weld her up. The 1/4" thickness will be sufficient to weld to and hold the door. Now then you may want to just add the flat around the remainder of the door to give yourself some seal to the doors, but I would go with something thinner, so not to add very much additional weight to that door. Hope this helps.

[ChadMist]

Thanks for the response. I have 1 1/2 wide 1/4 thk steel for the door gaps. I will give you a call later tonight if I have problems.

[ChadMist]

OK heres the updates.
Flashing on and hinges mounted. The door has to weigh 300 LBs

welded door done.jpg

The firebox is all welded up. I hope to get the hinges mounted this week.

fire box.jpg