Starting a new smoker build.

**Bluesman** · 11-16-2011, 02:45 PM

Starting on a new smoker build. Want to be able to do about 20 bostons at a time or two whole hogs so I need a bigger rig.

Using a 120 gal. Propane tank for cooking chamber.

Question about trailer I need to build though. If I put the firebox on the side of the tank and it is 24" long, where would I need to place the axle? Don't want it right in front of the firebox for obvious reasons (wouldn't be able to open the door AND don't really want the dang rubber tire next to it either). If it were a regular trailer I could figure it out but since I'm basically just attaching the tank to a set of springs and hangers I don't need a full size trailer and don't want one since I'm trying to make this as economical as possible. I'm guessing that I need to put it behind the firebox but don't want to get it too far back because it will not balance the tongue weight correctly.

Cooking chamber is 66" long and firebox will need to be mounted centered on the side of the cooking chamber and will be 24" long, 20" tall, and 18" deep.

Suggestions?

**KHK** · 11-16-2011, 05:30 PM

You will need about 100 Lbs. of tung weight. Adjust wheel location to obtain that.

**Bluesman** · 11-17-2011, 07:01 AM

I am going to have to do some serious engineering thought I expect because if I place the axle in front of the firebox, it will be too light and if I place it behind the firebox, well the ENTIRE tank and firebox both will be in front of the axle and it will be too heavy. I know I can just raise it up so that it will be OVER the tire but I don't want the thing so tall that I have to have a ladder to open the cook chamber doors either...

I guess I got a daggum conundrum on my hands huh?

**gilly** · 11-17-2011, 08:06 AM

I have a propane tank that i would like to make into a smoker but i am a little scared to cut into it,so kudos to you for getting that done.If you can balance it from side to side,take a jack and raise it up in different spots and find the balance point of the smoker,then that should give you some idea of where to mount it.

**INSANITY** · 11-17-2011, 08:49 AM

I would do the same as gilly, I would build the firebox and smoker first. Use a engine hoist with a strap or chain. Keep lifting it from various points until it balances. Once you find the fulcrum, you know your axle needs to be just behind that point.

**Bluesman** · 12-01-2011, 10:03 PM

Here is a pic of the cooking chamber. The long rectangular cutout is where the firebox will be mounted. It will be on the back side of the cooker and will be a few inches below the first rack. The other two holes are where some unnecessary plumbing fittings were and I removed them and cut out square holes so i could cut some patches to fill them up with.

**WookieWelding** · 12-02-2011, 02:13 AM

yup pretty much goin to have to move around the axle till you get enough tongue weight

**Bluesman** · 12-05-2011, 10:46 AM

Ya'll see those 2 small square holes where the plumbing used to be? Well there is another one right next to the larg rectangle hole I cut for the firebox. Gonna patch those up, actually already patched the one's on the right Friday and all was fine. Got here this a.m. and the larger one on the right had a pharking hairline crack in it!!!! I welded it one more again and ground it off back smooth and be damned if that crack didn't show back up in a few minutes! So, I did it again and ground it back out smooth... Ain't never had a 6013 weld crack like that. I'm assuming it was due to the material being a cylinder and the fit being real tight. Anyway, I have since patched the teeny tiny "hole" that was in the left side of the firebox hole and the one on the far left.

Will post pics up soon of my patching job. Goal is to patch it up to where it won't even be evident that there was ever a hole there.

Next step will be to make top cut of the door and install some hinges before I finish cutting out the door hole.

Guys, thanks for watching so far!

btw, if anyone has any clue as to why that one side of that weld kept cracking let me know. Otherwise I'm gonna assume that I just assed it up friday and didn't realize.

**Bluesman** · 12-07-2011, 01:19 PM

Here is a pic of the holes AFTER I patched them with scrap from the firebox entry hole. It was probably MORE work and headache than it was worth but I wanted it to be seamless and the patches not be visible once the smoker was finished.

Longevity Admins: Please note the Longevity Weldall 160 in the background of this pic and keep that in mind when you draw for contest today. That machine is lonely and needs some company!