Need Tips For Patio Model Type Trailer

[hogaboomer]

Howdy!!! I'm pretty new here, and new to building smokers, too. But I have been pipewelding for a living since 1978. So , I know how to weld and fabricate stuff, but I need some help on trailer basics.

I'm on my second smoker build. it's a 171 gallon propane tank that I cut down from 250. and I have some golf cart tires that I want to use on it. The first one I did I just put hard plastic casters on it. It works fine on concrete, but it don't go off road too good.

I need tips on making the steering axle for the front - what parts do I need, what's the best way to do it, etc. I do believe I need to use some tie rod type steering, as opposed to center swivel. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'll put up some pics so y'all can see what I'm doing. It's going to have a 24 inch standard wall pipe firebox on it.



Here's the first one I did:

[Big T]

There have been a few guys that recently built their carts with steering systems, I'll try to remember which build threads they were on and let you know. I have seen them done several ways so there's definitely a few options. Here's a link to a recent build that used tie rods with spindles and a T-handle to steer. He didn't go into detail on the steering but you can blow up the pictures and see most of it. I'm sure you could ask and he would give you some pointers on how he done it. https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... =11&t=7333

[Dirtytires]

I spent a bit of time looking up go-carts when I designed mine. It doesn’t need to be that complicated but it really helped me to get a few ideas on what I wanted. I ended up making spindles using a short piece of pipe and welded on a tab for a tie rod and a schedule 8 bolt for the axle. Picked up a couple of heim joints and some threaded rod from grainier and I had a pretty effective steering system.

You will need to start with your wheels tho. For golf cart wheels, you may need to actually buy hubs/spindles. I looked at doing it that way but parts got expensive in a hurry and I figured pneumatic wheels might be a problem over time.

E84A59B9-9CE2-4B26-AD81-FF6D95E8A630.jpeg

D8D12B08-6913-4DE3-9342-3D73EA80A2E8.jpeg

[hogaboomer]

Excellent, thank you!

[hogaboomer]

[hogaboomer]

I spent a bit of time looking up go-carts when I designed mine. It doesn’t need to be that complicated but it really helped me to get a few ideas on what I wanted. I ended up making spindles using a short piece of pipe and welded on a tab for a tie rod and a schedule 8 bolt for the axle. Picked up a couple of heim joints and some threaded rod from grainier and I had a pretty effective steering system.

You will need to start with your wheels tho. For golf cart wheels, you may need to actually buy hubs/spindles. I looked at doing it that way but parts got expensive in a hurry and I figured pneumatic wheels might be a problem over time.

E84A59B9-9CE2-4B26-AD81-FF6D95E8A630.jpeg

D8D12B08-6913-4DE3-9342-3D73EA80A2E8.jpeg

I didn't figure I was smart enough to do all that. Luckily enough, that heavy ass firebox made a good enough counterweight that I could just go with the hay wagon style steering.
I made my hubs out of 2 inch schedule 80 to slide over a 1-1/2 inch pipe axle. I had to butter and grind the inside of the 2 inch to reduce wobble. It was a lot of work, but it all came out working much better than I expected it to.

[Big T]

Nice!! What's up with the stub outs on the stack ?

[hogaboomer]

I just put those on there for temporary jack stand posts until I could get the wheels sorted out. I don't have too much fancy stuff to work with, I have to do a lot of improvising.

[Big T]

I totally understand, I do a lot of that myself!

[hogaboomer]

I had to get the sawhorse it was on out of the way so I could work on the wheels, so I built up some cribbing under the firebox. Then, I took the engine hoist up to the front, put a choker around the stack, and started lifting it up. Once it cleared the sawhorse, the whole thing started rolling to the side, almost rolled the firebox off the cribbing. That's when I started tacking stub outs everywhere.

[dacolson]

That’s awesome. I love seeing new/unique setups. The golf cart tires on there look sweet. Are you concerned about heat on the rear set?

I think a lot of use have half-baked setups in our shops to build these out. I picked up a chain hoist off facebook marketplace and tack temporary hook loops on the smoker to tie into. Saves my back. And probably my feet from falling steel! Stubs is a great idea and I will incorporate them as well in the future. thx for sharing.

[Dirtytires]

I’m not sure that would fit on my patio....all I can figure is you must live in a mansion.

[hogaboomer]

No, I live in an old dumpy house, but I do have a nice, big back yard. If the tires start to melt, I'll do something to fix it. There's about 3 inches of clearance.

[dacolson]

It looks great. Can’t wait to see it progress. Are you about finished?

[hogaboomer]

Yep, getting close. I gotta put some kind of a pull handle on the front, and maybe fab a table for it. I could cook in it now. I'm taking the wheels back off today and putting grease zerks in. I didn't get them in till late yesterday.

[dacolson]

You got plans for the menu on your first cook?

[hogaboomer]

Definitely not pork, I just smoked a feral hog last week on the first smoker I built.

[dacolson]

How was that? I hear you have to be careful and not spook them or the meat goes bad.

[hogaboomer]

It turned out OK. I had the idea it was gonna be tough, so I let it go for 14 hours. It came out pretty tender, but it's pretty smoky tasting.