Hutch's Mack build
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3195
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Ok need some opinions. Think I'm gonna order this for the trailer.
https://www.utilitytrailerkit.com/shoppingcart.aspx
$520 bucks and has literally everything but the metal. Having trouble finding anything local at a comparable price.
Is this too good to be true? Thanks y'all!
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
https://www.utilitytrailerkit.com/shoppingcart.aspx
$520 bucks and has literally everything but the metal. Having trouble finding anything local at a comparable price.
Is this too good to be true? Thanks y'all!
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- towtruck
- Expert
- Posts: 929
- Joined: August 4th, 2018, 4:50 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Have you priced out those parts elsewhere? That price is not bad but you may source it cheaper if you look around. The steel to make the trailer will add up fast. Check craigslist and other for sale sites and you might find something that can be made to work for a lot less. I found a free trailer that I cut up and made work for mine.
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
I've been looking locally and I'm gonna be in it for the same money without wheels and tires. I've been looking at used trailers but I'm not sure of that's the way I wanna go, who knows what problems I'm gonna inherit. I was thinking of using the 2x3 tubing like I've seen several guys doing. Not sure on gauge. Probably gonna cover it in expanded metal just for cost savings and to make it easier to clean.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 386073651/
Actually this might work pretty good too. Waiting to see what axle it's got.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Actually this might work pretty good too. Waiting to see what axle it's got.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- towtruck
- Expert
- Posts: 929
- Joined: August 4th, 2018, 4:50 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Looks like a 3500# drop axle like the one I have. I'll bet it has a healthy stack of springs. You will need tires so that adds to the price but overall if it's straight and heavy enough it should do the trick.hutcho wrote: ↑January 26th, 2019, 8:06 pmhttps://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 386073651/
Actually this might work pretty good too. Waiting to see what axle it's got.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
I'm gonna try to go look at it. Hard to see it zooming in but looks a little rough. I'm gonna have everything sandblasted before paint anyway so as long as it's solid it might be an option. At work again tonight and not finding any deals yet on Facebook or Craigslist really...
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3195
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
Re: Hutch's Mack build
I’ve bought a fair amount of trailer parts at e-trailer.com....you might price them.
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Well spent the better part of the day going to pickup a trailer. Pulled the gate and sides off and set the smoker on just for fun. Crappy wood deck is going away obviously and need to move it over to the driver side and back some still too. Quick question. How far back is just right? Plan on a wood rack on the opposite side, and probably my aluminum toolbox up front. Should I be able to lift the front/balanced? Hopefully get some actual work done on Friday.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6390
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Tongue weight is 9%-15% of the total weight of the trailer. If you aren't going to add a lot of weight on the front of the trailer then normally the FB will be very close to the axle.
Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Wish I had a way to weight everything and get it just right. Will probably end up putting it where firebox is about even with tire like Frank's. Won't be much weight up front. Just a toolbox for charcoal and tools, etc...
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3195
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
Re: Hutch's Mack build
You should not, on a trailer that heavy, be able to lift the front very easily...and definitely not perfectly balanced. You want enough weight on the tongue to keep it from bouncing off the hitch.
Figure on close to 2000 lbs of total weight would make tongue weight of 200-300 lbs. Also depends what you will be towing with. A one ton truck is much more able to handle extra tongue weight than a small suv.
Figure on close to 2000 lbs of total weight would make tongue weight of 200-300 lbs. Also depends what you will be towing with. A one ton truck is much more able to handle extra tongue weight than a small suv.
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Just gonna be towing with a half ton pickup. I may hook it on during the balancing act and see how it squats with the smoker in different places. 2-300 pounds I could use the bathroom scale to measure...shh don't tell the wife! Lol!
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- ajfoxy
- Expert
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: April 12th, 2016, 8:07 pm
- Title: Neophyte Smoker Bldr
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Mate, so long as you don't tell her you are calibrating the bathroom scale for her. That might cancel any brownie points you might have accumulated. 

Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
ajfoxy wrote:Mate, so long as you don't tell her you are calibrating the bathroom scale for her. That might cancel any brownie points you might have accumulated.



Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Well today's my day off but didn't get much done again. For one the kids get out of school at noon so gotta pack it up early. For two we found out this morning that the water company is going to take our land to build a don't reservoir, so my head wasn't focused on building the smoker unfortunately.
Anyway here's the progress from the time I spent. Got the baffle plate lip thingy welded in. Drain pipe welded in. Both stacks welded on. Starting to look like something now! Got a full day with the family tommorow so no work then, but my next days off is my 8 day stretch so hopefully have this thing really close to done then.


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Anyway here's the progress from the time I spent. Got the baffle plate lip thingy welded in. Drain pipe welded in. Both stacks welded on. Starting to look like something now! Got a full day with the family tommorow so no work then, but my next days off is my 8 day stretch so hopefully have this thing really close to done then.



Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Also. Disregard the crappy welds. I call them farmer welds. Ugly but effective.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- ajfoxy
- Expert
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: April 12th, 2016, 8:07 pm
- Title: Neophyte Smoker Bldr
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Yep, I do "gorilla welds"... ugly but strong... 

Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6390
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Would be nice to have the outside ones pretty at least lol!
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Not much progress today. Been stressing out about the land thing and spending all my time focusing on it. That's changing next week. 4 days of dedicated smoker time!
Anyway. Got the stack dampers welded on and got the CC framed in. Only got a pic of the dampers though.
Side note. Just realized the WC and CC doors have a piece of flat on the back side to seal up better. So gonna need to go back to the WC and finish that up lol!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Anyway. Got the stack dampers welded on and got the CC framed in. Only got a pic of the dampers though.
Side note. Just realized the WC and CC doors have a piece of flat on the back side to seal up better. So gonna need to go back to the WC and finish that up lol!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3195
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
Re: Hutch's Mack build
I feel you pain but nobody wants a power plant in their backyard, a freeway close by or a dam flooding their land. Those same people want to use electricity, have a short commute to work and have running water in their faucets. Sad truth is infrastructure has to go somewhere. Sorry you got the short end of it.
Maybe time to open a lakefront campground? Secure rights to a marina. Open a smoked food joint on the lake. Maybe it’s actually an opportunity.....
(This was not to get political...just to let you know we understand and appreciate your pain.)
Maybe time to open a lakefront campground? Secure rights to a marina. Open a smoked food joint on the lake. Maybe it’s actually an opportunity.....
(This was not to get political...just to let you know we understand and appreciate your pain.)
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
I'm over being upset about it. Doesn't matter what we think it's gonna happen regardless. I could go on for days and days about it but it's not gonna do anything good but raise my blood pressure higher lol! At this point I wish they would get off their asses and answer my phone calls so we can move forward. Write the damn check already lol!Dirtytires wrote:I feel you pain but nobody wants a power plant in their backyard, a freeway close by or a dam flooding their land. Those same people want to use electricity, have a short commute to work and have running water in their faucets. Sad truth is infrastructure has to go somewhere. Sorry you got the short end of it.
Maybe time to open a lakefront campground? Secure rights to a marina. Open a smoked food joint on the lake. Maybe it’s actually an opportunity.....
(This was not to get political...just to let you know we understand and appreciate your pain.)
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Ok now that that's off out of the way. On to today's progress. Got the CC doors built and hung. Finished up the WC door and after a quick call to Frank got the latch installed and working good. Gauge in just for fun.
Plan this week was to mount it on the trailer tommorow but my lift decided to crap out so I'm waiting on a $2 part to be able to lift this heavy beast. So shifting gears and gonna try to get door latches all done and racks installed instead this week. Hopefully on the trailer next week.


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Plan this week was to mount it on the trailer tommorow but my lift decided to crap out so I'm waiting on a $2 part to be able to lift this heavy beast. So shifting gears and gonna try to get door latches all done and racks installed instead this week. Hopefully on the trailer next week.



Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6390
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama