First smoker build..250 gal Reverse Flow(Pics updated 08/14)

[TrailerBuilder]

brog315, you are close to maxed out for sure, by the time you add wood and whatever else you put on the trailer, you'll have the GVW overloaded. I understand the whole time and money thing on the build, but safety should be the first concern. If your not going to travel but up the road and back, Id look into changing out the leaf springs with some heavier rated springs. Im guessing you have 1750# springs on it now? You can up to 2400# springs and that would help. BUT, if you plan on traveling down the road farther than the buddies house in town, Id either upgrade to a heavier axle or I would go tandem. I think some dealers still sale a 5200lb 5 lug axle, that would keep you from stepping up to a 6000lb axle with 6 lug. Personally, I would go tandem. If your like any other builder on the Ring, as you cook and use the rig, your going to find you need to add something here or there that will help out, or you see something on another rig that you want on yours. We Ringers are never happy and always have to have more
Go tandem now and just be done with it. Another concern I would have is with all the weight on the trailer, a single axle might not pull down the road real well, you might experience some fish tailing at higher speeds and you will more than likely really feel the ruts in the road with the trailer. A tandem set up would smooth most of those type issues out and make for a better traveling experience. Again, I know that $$$$ is always an issue on the builds, but wouldnt you rather do it now and do it right, then have to redo it after you already have it completed and painted looking good?? You have one hell of a nice build going on here brog, sit back and think about it, and weigh out your options now instead of later.

Just my 2c worth
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

[brog315]

Thank you all for taking the time to share your concerns, expertise, and ideas. This build is only possible through the help of you guys.

The current weight estimations include estimated wood weight and all forseen inclusions on the trailer. It also includes an estimate for the empty propane tank that I think is high. Anyone have an accurate weight for an empty 250 gallon tank, or does it vary tank to tank? Obviously, it is the unforseen and any weight estimates i've done in error that would be cause for concern.

I went by the shop this evening and did a little bit of work, but mostly measurements. By comparing my springs measurements to ones online, I currently have 2100# springs. That being said, I mostly did measurements to see how well a second axel would fit. I think the install would be pretty simple compared to the rest of the apects of the build we've accomplished. I am now leaning toward spending the extra money now, but I still need to have a sitdown with my uncle. I want the option of taking the trailer on long trips, and definitely want to be sure it is safe and will travel well.

So, assuming I make the jump to tandem axel, how does that affect my trailer balance and tongue weight. From my measurements tonight, I can only move the current axel back 6 inches. For tongue weight, do I use the center of the two axels as the new "axel distance" in my spreadsheet and calculations?
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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[k.a.m.]

brog315, your cooker build is really moving along and looking fantastic. I look forward to seeing some more pics and updates.
An empty 250gall. tank will weigh in at around. 700lbs.
Adding the extra axle will not really effect your current tongue weight by much. If your light now you will be light with the extra axle. Slipping back the 6" is certainly an option I would look at. It appears you will be moving the propane cage if this takes place also consider fender space to the rear in your axle placement. Your current set up resembles what I had on the R/F build and not until I added the tool box an forward grill did my weight distribute properly. My advice is bite the bullet and go tandem now, in towing comfort alone you will be miles ahead.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[brog315]

Well after thinking for a while, and doing some more weight calculations, we decided to go ahead and make the trailer tandem now. We have not had much time to work on the trailer due to hunting season, but we were able to get the current axel moved back, and the propane tank cage cutoff. Still deciding on the best placement for the tanks now, but that should work itself out. All of the axel parts have been ordered and now it's just a waiting game for those to come in.
We also finished the grill by adding a therm and a shelf.




Before:


Now:

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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[brog315]

We were able to get the second axel installed this past weekend, but the phone died before I could get pictures. The additional wheels/tires won't be ready for another 2 weeks. Only thing left to do in the immediate future is figure out where to place the propane tanks.

If I place the tanks within the current woodbox, all the way to the right side, will they get too hot when the charcoal grill or smoker is in use? Would I need to put insullation around them, not worry too much about it, or find a different location to mount them altogether?
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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[k.a.m.]

Tim, it looks like you have enough room in the basket to me. If you were closer to the grill I would have concerns I do not see any concerns with the cooking chamber either if you keep the bottles forward and out from it.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[brog315]

Thank you for reaffirming my initial thoughts, KAM. That part of the firebox seems as good of a place as any.

Went by and took a couple things to the shop today. Managed to get a few pictures of the trailer as it sits. It should look much better once the new wheels/tires are ready. With only a month until we are hoping to use this in a comp, we need to get this build in high gear!






The firebox looks to be sitting a little higher now which is a good thing.


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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[brog315]

More work has been done on the pit. We braced the firebox doors, finished out the front frame of the pit, and have the propane tanks secured into place. Also, did some work on the smoke stack. I think I'll be able to get a test burn done this week, and hopefully see if any adjustments need to be made before sandblast/paint. Then we need to find someone to do the sandblast/paint and it should be just about finished up.









We decided to try hinging the smoke stack. This brings down the overall height to just be able to clear a standard garage. I won't be able to see how well it turned out until we get a fire going in it, but it was important to me to be able to store the rig more easily.






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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[icecoldkicks]

nice lookn cooker brog315! movin rite along, great progress
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287Gal RF Project

Slow & Low, That is the Tempo!!

[brog315]

Well I cooked on the pit a few times and it performed well. I dropped it off at sandblast/paint late February, and although I was not impressed with the turnaround time, the pit looks great. Looking back through this thread, it's amazing to see how far it's come. I can't wait to put the finishing touches on the stove, fenders, lights, etc. Finally able to get back to work and get her finished up!










There is one issue that I have with the paint job. They painted one side of the firebox intake with it open, so now in the closed position, there are three rectangles of primer grey. I spoke with the guy I've been dealing with at the Finishing place and he said they will be glad to fix it. I could probably brush on the paint myself, but I might as well have the professionals do it. I need to get them to sandblast the food grates anyway because I let them get weathered this past month.




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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[Jarhead]

S-W-E-E-T
Great looking rig ya got there.
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Gunny 3073/4044/8411

Jarhead's World Blog
KCBS CBJ & HMFIC Debbie's Q Shack

[KingKoupe]

awesome looking pit! Congrats!

[rodneymeatsnsweets]

brog315 Awesome looking cooker you built. I am curious how did the hinged stack work out for you? Any leaking issues? How are your temps holding front to back and side to side? I am considering a RF for my next build and you have some solid ideas that I may have to use on my build. Thanks for sharing.
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500 Gallon BBQ Pit and Catering Rig(In Progress)
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49641

[brog315]

Thank you for the kind words. The hinged stack is working out ok in the fact that there are no leaking issues. I have not needed to use it's functionality though. I have been lucky enough to keep the pit at one of my sponsor's warehouse. I have not had to worry about stack height due to large overhead doors. As far as temp control, I love my RF. Side to side, it'll level out almost dead on once we're up and running (never seen more than 5 degree diff). I have not done a test to see front and back, although when I had my stoker thermometer in the middle of the pit, the door therms were showing about 15 degrees lower. I'm not sure if it was a calibration issue or what, but I will use a bunch of oven therms next time I fire it up.
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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[Maniac]

looks great all dolled up......good luck with her
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RF Smoker
20" disc
uds

[TrailerBuilder]

brog315, your cooker turned out nice man. You did a fine job on this build, I look forward to seeing it all finished up and full of groceries.

Nice Work
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

[smootz]

This cooker attracted my attention when I first found this forum. Following your build has really helped my understanding of RF's. It came out every bit as good as I expected. Well done!

BTW - What kind of paint is that?
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150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF

[J.O.]

Great work! I love it. Have the paint guy sort that out, I would loose sleep over that Looking forward to some food pics!
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[brog315]

Smootz, late to the party but the paint is from KBS Coatings - XTC (Xtreme Temperature Coating).

Sorry to ressurect the old thread, but I thought I would give a few update pics now that I'm putting the final touches on my build.

Fenders and burner wind block put on a little while back:






Did the lights this past weekend and mounted the spare today:








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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build

[brog315]

I also took the pit to the CAT scales, and finally got an "official" weight on it. As I was afraid, I am too light on the tongue weight.


Numbers from CAT:

Truck Alone:
Steer Axle - 2920 lb
Drive Axle - 2480 lb
Trailer Axle - 0 lb

Truck and Trailer:
Steer Axle - 2840 lb
Drive Axle - 2680 lb
Trailer Axle - 3760 lb

From what I understand from my internet search...I show my trailer weight to be 3880 lbs, and my tongue weight to be 120 lbs as it was weighed today. Somebody please verify? One good thing I have working in my favor for tongue weight is that 95% of the time there is a loaded down cooler on the front of the rig, and generally one strapped down on top of the burner setup. Still, I'm thinking up ideas to add some functional tongue weight to the rig.

Thanks for any input.
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Tim B.
Whiskey Wasted Bar-B-Que

250 gal RF Competition Trailer Build