Mobile dual 55 Gal Build

Q

QueInOveralls

Got Wood.
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Nashville, TN
New here to the forum but figured I'd post my build that started this past weekend with my and my roommates. My original intent was just to build a smoker. That's never enough for rednecks like us in Alabama. We then decided to make it mobile. We figured though while we are smoking food we will probably get hungry so we are going to add a grill. The grill will be on the back of the trailer horizontal obviously and the smoker UDS will sit at the front of the trailer. We are going to reinforce the trailer a bit and add metal to be able to have a full 360 weld on the bottom of the UDS to trailer. Here's a few pics to show what we are working with.







 
Good luck with the build! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
 
Sweet! Lookin forward to the progress and the end result. I like the mobile concept.
 
Sounds like fun!
Make it big enough for a cooler and some charcoal (which will add some weight to the unit when towing.)

:popcorn:
 
Well guys it has been slow this week on progress. I have been working a couple hours the past two days grinding out the paint on the inside of the drum. The fire only burned out the very bottom section of the drum. Didn't want it to get to hot and warp the barrel. Got all the parts I needed for the trailer from Harbor Freight which was fun. I printed off 4 25% off 1 item and handed them to my roommates and we walked in everyone with a different part: 2 tires, jack, lights. I also got all the parts I needed for the UDS. One question though is I couldn't find stainless steel bolts that were the right length or diameter at home depot so I bought aluminum nuts and bolts. You think that will be alright? I know not to use galvanized or zinc so I figured aluminum would be alright. Feed back would be great. Here is the drum 75% grinded out. I washed it out good with dawn and degreaser last night after this pic to see my progress better.



And here is what I'm using to grind it out.

 
I think the aluminum would be fine. If you dont wanna use it you can buy zinc coated hardware and soak it in vinegar to remove the zinc coating
 
Well after I got home from drill yesterday I had some time to finish grinding out the inside of the barrel. I then washed it real good and decided what the hell might as well burn it out one more time.



You can kind of see it but I already drilled the pilot holes for my intakes. Harbor Freight was closed so I couldn't purchase the step bit last night and I wasn't about to spend 50 on one at Lowes. I am bringing home a bi-metal hole saw from work today so I chose the free route. When I get home I'll be welding in my exhaust nipples and putting in the grate hardware.

I also bought some bar stock to level out the trailer.



The green circle is the highest level. I have to add 1/8 bar stock to the yellow circle, and 1/4 bar stock to the red level. This square will be the welding points for the UDS so they all needed to be level. This is going to be welding together this evening. Then once I get all my hardware in the UDS it will be welding on also. I'll post pictures when I finished tonight.
 
I would weld bolt tabs on the bottom rim of each drum and on the frame if needed. Then bolt them to the frame instead of welding them.
 
Smokerking,

I'm not real sure what you mean by bolt tabs? and also can you tell me why you would do that instead?
 
I love to weld just like the next guy but there times I've regretted welding everyting and not being able to disassemble it cleanly if needed.

It takes a little extra time, but if you weld tabs similar to the drum and frame if (if needed) it will allow you to remove the drums by simply un-bolting should you ever need to work on them or the trailer, or move the drums individually to a place you can't fit the trailer, etc.

DrumTab_zpsfc4717d9.jpg


The first time you have to torch or grind the welds off your drum and trailer, clean the welds up and re-weld, you'll see it's worth it.
 
Ah I see what your saying. My only concern is the trailer is small. The square that I have this going on to is the same size as the barrel. It fits rather perfectly so I'm not sure where I could bolt the tabs to besides the one that could go on the trailer neck. I'll have to look at it at the house and see if there is someway I can do this.
 
I have also figured out today that I am going to have to come up with a flat lid hinge. I bought an 8 x 2 inch pipe to go in the bung hole with a 9 degree elbow on top for my smoke stack. However this is going to make that side of the lid a bit more heavy than the other side so I believe putting a hinge on it is going to be my best bet. I am going to try to modify this style hinge to make it work.



I feel like if I position the hinges with the smoke stack in the middle of it and on the side closest to it it will be the least amount of pressure on it.
 
HookedonQ,

Wow, that is EXACTLY what I had envisioned in my head (Although I changed my mind seeing how I don't have to tools to fabricate that ) Did you by chance buy that? if so where? If not, are you looking to make another one haha? I'm a little worried about the example I posted because of the chimney I will be putting on it I am afraid it will be to much pressure on the hinges. Look forward to hearing back from you.
 
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