steel tubing question

stevenr · Posted: May 27 2008 Post subject: steel tubing question

im in the process of getting stuff together to build a trailer smoker, and i have a buddy with access to square and round steel tubing to build the trailer with. I am looking at a DPP clone, and will try to build the trailer part the same way.... my question is, what size tubing do i need to get to support a 250 gal propane tank, and not be overkill........

im not mechanically inclined, so make it easy on me if ya will Laughing

CJATE · BBQ Fan Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Cen-Tex

6"

and I am having trouble finding some myself, I don't need (or want to pay for) 21' from the wholes sale, only need 10, and it ain't cheap.

consider your hook up a blessing.
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3rd best chicken in Arkansas, 2005. It was dumb Luck

I Smell Smoke · Posted: May 27 2008 Post subject:

4" box for the tongue and 4x2 box for frame should be plenty big , but it depends on the size of the trailer you want to build. If the trailer is only big enough for the 250 gallon tank, 3" steel should do it. If you want room to expand later, you might go bigger. I believe in some states if you go over 3000 lbs you need to add brakes . IMO going any bigger would be a waste of money. Especially with todays steel prices. Most car trailers are built with 4" and they are typically rated at 7000lbs(with 2 3500 lbs axles)
Hope this helps.
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Tim

Let's Eat
New Braunfels Offset Smoker
Alveron Cookers /Wood Over Gas /24x36
Alveron Cookers /Wood Over Gas /40x60 on Custom Trailer

stevenr · Posted: May 27 2008 Post subject:

he has about 70 ft of 3inch square tubing i can get about 1/4 of what it would cost, and i think it is 14 gauge ?

would that be sufficient strength to use?

Creosote Timber BBQ · Posted: May 27 2008 Post subject:

I personally think its a little thin, i would prefer an 11ga wall (about 1/8") or better. In my eyes i would build the frame out of a 3-4" channel or similar rectangular tubing.

The price of steel has been increasing alot and is looking to keep going. Our fabrication business handles a good bit of material and we are seeing some ridiculous prices across the board. So see if theres anything else surplus you can get your hands on.

Then again i may be wrong and 14ga is strong enough.

Josh

stevenr · Posted: May 28 2008 Post subject:

so you think i would need 11ga to hold up less that 1000 pounds?

HillbillySmoker · BBQ Pro Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 917 Location: WV

14 guage is 3/32 of an inch, thats pretty thin, should use a minimum of 1/8 on the outside frame where the springs are gonna be attached, personally i wouldnt go that small, that's where the load is, should be something like 3/16 2x4 tube, or 1/4 2x4 U channel, could use that steel you have on the cross pieces as long as there not being used for anything other than the deck. bottom line is its better to do it right the first time.

stevenr · Posted: May 28 2008 Post subject:

just found out half the steel is 1/4 inch, the other half 3/16, so i should be good to go......

edlee74 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Missouri

StevenR we build trailers here in trailer country, southeast MO. and for a trailer like you plan on building would be built with 2" angle 1/8" for the mainframe with the same for crossmembers every 2'. The entire frame built with the angle. The tongue would be 4" channel that is placed as a wrap, meaning that the channel would be approx 10' each side and would be butted up next to the axle crossmember and tied there extending up about 12" - 18" from the front edge of the frame and notched being bent toward the center. Both sides are done like that and you can place your tongue coupler onto the top of your channel and weld. You can build a 5 x 10 single axle like this and would be rated for a 2500lb load no problems. So if you built a trailer out of the tubing, that would be overkill to us. Check on angle at your local steel yard for prices it may be cheaper than the tubing. It's about $30 here at home for 21' sticks. I also build cookers on trailers and that's what I use (2" angle x 1/ Cool

and have never had one come back. Hope this helps.
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Thanks to all:
Lee
Sikeston, Mo.

HillbillySmoker · BBQ Pro Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 917 Location: WV

CJATE · BBQ Fan Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Cen-Tex

my appologies, 6" for stacks,

10G min for trailer structure, I'll read next time...
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3rd best chicken in Arkansas, 2005. It was dumb Luck

Bushbow · Posted: May 29 2008 Post subject:

In Michigan C Channel seems to work best because it doesen't leave any palce to have moisture trappped and Rust. We have a lot of snow, ice and salt to contend with. Just a thought. Mine is a C Channel frame with Angle cross sections.

Bob Urban