Pitmaster T Build Series - Funkotorium Project (Ongoing Thread in 9 Parts)

Note to Moderators – This thread is placed in Q talk for good reasons. Part of this is catering advice, part of it may be considered Wood Pile (because we are just chatting about things) and also… its Reflection. But this thing we call BBQ is made up of all those interests. I think in no other cooking form do we reflect more, are more linked to our past than BBQ… so… please allow this to stay in Q talk as overall, it is what led me to create the apparatus to believe in myself once again.


Pitmaster T’s Funkotorium Project




Inside the Commissary (Business End) Looking Front at the Smoke Deck



First this will be an on going (total of 9 videos) thread dedicated to my beloved commissary and party trailer – now languishing in the back yard of 1795 New London – Salem Turnpike, Oakdale Connecticut. So be sure and check back once in while or subscribe even – the buttons are at the top right under thread tools I think.

One word of warning – this was a Redneck Project… some of you have considerable rigs. The Funkotorium was my heart -- welded and planned and realized then let go. It meant more to me than just something I could have written a check for. More on this below.


The Back Story

Read up… you can learn from my successes and failures.

Its time for us to pull up a chair, grab a frosty beverage of your choice (I will have a Jack on the Rocks chilled to a delightful 27 degrees as not to melt the ice much) and talk about our dreams…

Well enough about yours, lets talk about mine… not a dream I have anymore about the future but one I had… where once it never rained ‘til after sundown, and by the 8 a.m. the morning fog had flown… I speak of Camelotafunkotorium.

Around 2004-2005 I had a catering biz and the facility I was working out of was an old filling station off of Rte 85, which was at one time a full service station with abandon car bays and a closed off deli and doughnut shop in the store section. I had worked a deal with the owner who had owned the station since the 1960 and 70s before the Interstate was built and who had Esso actually built him a new one. For a small monthly rental, I would get his kitchen up to code and approved by the HD, and he could keep the license for the kitchen if things didn’t work out. The place was incredible… big sinks, Hobart dish washer, big assed pizza ovens, industrial stove, hot box, display cases, massive Globe slicer--- it was perfect. The old man was giddy. He had seen his “Palace” dwindle in prestige as the interstate opened, casinos went up and the region decline along with the submarine building contracts. To see light fixtures replaced, things cleaned up, machinery polished and yes the smell of food and over-all customer excitement pick up… he was so happy. The day I gave him the license, which showed his kitchen was up to par, he gave me a couple of gifts. One was he cleared out some old cars held in his boneyard (a section of the lot behind the property he locked up repaired cars that no one paid for.) He made this just for my smoker which he had seen me tow back and forth from home. The second was a deal. He said “Donnie, I had that old display case charged up you were going to move and I will drop all the rent if you do this for me. “Make sure that case is always filled with food, breakfast sandwiches, bbq, anything I need for my store and I keep all the profit.”

Thats a DEAL!!!!


This may seem strange to you but I have to explain where most of my biz was coming from. Part of my income was parties and such. Events, things like that. The other part was I was supplying meats, frozen pulled pork, roasts, sandwiches to other gas stations and lunch counters. So what I needed was a kitchen. Things were good then. I loved that old man… the business took off. The guy would even load the smoker with wood for me while I was at work. The great thing too was it was close to a dealership I worked at.

Well, the poor old guy died. His daughter got the property, saw what I was doing, and kicked me out. Not even a request that I pay rent, which I offered. She was crazy... one minute wanting the gas station closed so she could use it as a “tax shelter” the next she wanted to get a BIG company to buy it as a quick stop. This never happened and no one ever got the kitchen.

Yet also I held down a full time job as an internet manager at a large multi-shingled car dealership. Being a leader in sales each year and the popularity of my little side business had me in favor with the owners of the dealerships that ALSO owned a lot of New London, Connecticut commercial real estate. Back then the owner of the dealership and the General Manager were sad for my turn of bad luck. I sort of had card blanche on the lot and they at first said I could use their property to store my smoker. The owner of the dealership had a lot of commercial property and kept trying to get me to take this place or that as a restaurant. I don’t want to open a restaurant. But at that time when this came to me I had orders to fill and was quite despondent having to borrow a kitchen here, cook a job illegally at home.. whatever it took. My full time job as an internet manager began pulling in so much cake I got busy just working.

Bonerz BBQ

My Manager Jeff and I used to spend a lot of time looking out of the window over Coleman St and talk about my little project. He liked my idea of it being funky, sex driven... hey we both liked girls, and he even picked out a name -- “Bonerz BBQ!” We wanted it to be the “Hooters” of BBQ. I told him I wanted a “Mobile Business” or a trailer or something so what happened to me would never happen again.


“You know what?” Jeff asked… Doug owns that corner lot that Safelight Glass is on. That would be a stellar place for a lunch trailer.” In fact the owner as I found out had SEVERAL high volume places with parking lots he would let me lease. “Hmmm,” I thought.



Jake (then 2) standing in the Meat Mama. Meat Mama 3000 on her new Trailer.


I had just finished the Meat Mama 3000 smoker, it was about February 2006 and I was at a Camper place and was looking at a camper for the family, believe it or not. I wanted a fixer upper and saw this 35 Foot 1983 Yellowstone, El Camino that had a rotten roof in the front. It dawned on me that this was a natural place for a smoker to go. I looked inside and there was a shower, head, and a nice bedroom in back.


Funky First Sight – 1983 35 Foot Yellowstone El Camino - $500


Now to fully make you realize why I chose this path I have to give you even more background. I had done a few events, even a fair or two. One thing that struck me was how exhausted I was and did not need to be. At an event you set up, get your meat on, then you are tired, sweaty and stinky, and THEN you have to tend the fire for 8-10-12 hours. By serving time, in the heat of the day you are completely fried. I began to imagine…

• Arrive early at the event.
• Set up Trailer, power, water, pit and what not,
• Doctor up the Meat
• Put it on
• Clean up the Kitchen… start the countdown
• SHOWER, CHIT, SHAVE
• Turn the AC on, lie on a real mattress and get a nap or sleep for the night
  • Or you can watch the Game
  • Play Computer Games
  • Have company in an air conditioned setting
• Service time – You are all fresh!

One thing About catering that kills you… walking from here to there…and with a trailer… the distances are so much shorter.

So, I bought this beast for $500. The plan was to rip out the front 12 feet, place a wood deck or steel plated deck on there (should have gone with the steel deck as its actually lighter and easier to put on), covert the center, and the rear would be multi-function as a bedroom and office, beer service or DJ booth. The entire trailer would have LCD inset so people could watch funky videos of back in the day as they waited for service.

The process was slow. Work became more demanding. If I had the time I didn’t have the money, If I had the money I was working so hard I didn’t have the time. Then there was New England winters, my wife working nights at Mohegan Sun Casino and a newborn and three year old. Eventually in two years I had it operational. The wife was thankful because either the kitchen smelled like smoke or I did. Near the end I would even shower in the Trailer before I came in. the only thing that came in the house was finished Q.


Jake Loved seeing His dad work in and ON the Funkotorium. He loved the Eats coming out of it too.

Now, like I said before this was a Redneck Project… some of you have considerable rigs. The Funkotorium was my heart -- it meant more to me than just something I could have written a check for. I tell you, and I get sad admitting this… I think my father was behind me the whole way in this. My father was a shop teacher, philosopher, AC man, Corvair Nut, Welder, Astronomer, HAM Radio expert, Auto Body Tech, Electrician and Electronics dude. But he was so busy he never really got the chance to teach me much. He taught kids all day how to fix cars, paint them, weld and then had a biz on the side doing AC work. He died in 1995 after a long decline in health. I got all his tools. They smell like him. I hung on to them because I felt one day I could use them. But I always carried around a deep sadness that he did not see me as worthy or old enough to work along side in a project. And by the time I was old enough I had no time for him. I would give up anything to go back and start a project with him with what I know now... I think he would be proud. The Funkotorium and Meat Mama revived those tools and I felt him pushing me the whole way… I felt him saying, “I am proud of you, son.” It was a blessing.



There was always something cool Dad was doing…from HAM radios to teaching Astronomy. I hope I have that affect on my sons.

I was ready to paint the damn thing (purple) when I got the call to move back to Texas and become a teacher. I now hold a certificate in History, EC6, 4-8 Gen, and Special ED. I had to leave it behind… I have regretted that decision every time I needed cash. I regret leaving it and want to one day build another one. Sure, I could buy a enclosed trailer but I will never give up on the thought that the Pitmaster needs comfort to be at his best.

I am sorry I did not document the project like I should have. I was just getting into the video making projects. But maybe this will help someone out there. Some may want to do the same thing, others may have been thinking about it and decide not to. One other thing, the Funkotorium got its approval by the HD and local Fire Department in May 2008.

So… here it is, re-released… The first video was actually the last one on the old Popdaddy site but I want to start here now to show you the end result) I will release this today with the other 8 videos over eight days. .

Please enjoy and make any comments you wish. And if you can, have a drink to your Dad. Then one to mine, then a third to yourself if you are one as well. I guess grandpas are gonna be schitfaced!

Keep On Blessin’ the Brethren – Donnie, Pitmaster T


YouTube - ‪Pitmaster T Build Series - Funkotorium Project Part 1 (Intro)‬‏


End of Part One (Intro)

Next Segment - Part Two - Setting the Tracks for a Choice of Two Smokers Plus My commentary of what mods I was doing plus more Pictures and Video!

Be sure and SUBSCRIBE to the thread...

the How To videos are all going to be posted here day by day.

To subscribe scroll up to the top of this thread and look at the blue bar above the original thread post Click "Thread Tools" and subscribe.

Me too Bud!

DannyMac said:

Must have been a sad day.

That video really shows of Prince's talents as a guitar player. One hell of a solo.

Click to expand...

I love a couple of things, one is George Harrison's son who is absolutely giddy watching him. He is not as impressed with Eric Clapton when they did this same song for an earlier Hall of Fame show a few years before... second is the sort of camaraderie and happiness Prince is showing.. at one point he points to himself with a smile as if (can I guys? can I take you with me?) the third thing is when he signs off... he knew he blew the roof off the house, he throws his guitar in the air... stomps on his peddle and walks off stage not even acknowledging anyone, the audience ...anyone. It was an important night for Prince.. he was inducted into the HOF the first year he was eligible and he had always been passed over by white audiences as a "so so Guitar player who dressed too funny to be accepted into white rock." But that night, he was the baddest dude in the garage... and certainly equal enough to make Tom Petty and the likes (who is also an incredible and prolific artist) think... I'd have that guy in my band.

That being said.. I have to tell MYSELF (not you my brethren) that this is Q talk and I want to honor that by shifting the conversation back to the Funkotorium.

The second installment is due today of course. Lots more Pron and another video. So stay tuned!

Thread Update due in 30 Minutes for Saturday.

New - PART 2

Pitmaster T’s Build Series – Funkotorium Project Part 2 (Setting the Tracks for the Smokers)


:clap2::clap2:New Video (Part Two) At Bottom of this POST:clap2::clap2:

The Back Story – “What the Hell are you gonna use the Camper for?” Melissa Thomas 2006

Water’s Edge Campground – Lebanon, Connecticut


Well it wasn’t long after I bought it that I got my good friend Don to go up there and bring the Camper home. I parked it and began to fully assess what I had. Jake and my wife were so happy. There was a redneck RV place outside of Uncasville that let you park your RV there for like a season and only pay 1,300 plus a monthly maintenance and electric fee. The maintenance fee was only 25 bucks. I loved that little place. It was safe, had an underutilized covered grilling area, a nice lake with canoes, fishing, kids were under control, I loved it. I could see myself making BBQ for the Saturday Night Band they had at the Rec. Center. My wife was with the plan…

She walked through and saw the potential of the Camper, albeit not for what I had plans for. I remember we were in the center looking forward and she was commenting on how the ceiling was rotted and I said… “well honey, I am gonna build a wall here and make a deck out of the front so we can sit out there, we don’t need all that space baby. All we had was our one year old, Jake. My wife loved the BIG queen size bed that was in the rear. She could see herself “camping” in it. But when she saw me rip that out for an office space and computers that hooked up to the stoker…well, she saw the writing on the wall. Sadly, that camper never made it to the Lake.


Why I did what I did

Some of you may wonder why is the smoker on the front, why is it removable? Why not make the whole thing a kitchen? The latter questions I answered in part one. I hate serving food and dealing with customers when I am dirty, smelly, tired and sweaty… and frazzled from being uncomfortable all day during the smoke. So what I wanted was a trailer that had amenities for my comfort as well as a big kitchen and the ability to use different smokers.

I need a trailer that had the following things

♀Working trailer with legal lights
♀A freakin’ title
♀Insulation and the ability to have a portion of the Camper efficiently A/Ced
♀Water management for waste (two tank system)
♀Water management system for hot and cold running water that could operate on 120 VAC or 12 DC
♀Toilet and Shower (I thought the Health Dept would frown on this but they liked it because as one guy said “I always wonder where the guy is going to the bathroom and look for pickle jars)
♀Existing 12 VDC lighting with Power converter
♀Heating System

A Camper has all of these.


Port Side shot




Looking forward – the picture of Part One shows this exact position but it is more or less finished. From just forward of the stove a wall must be constructed, the front side door will be used as a door for this wall and everything forward of that (window) cabinets, even siding gets trashed.


Looking from center toward rear you can see the bed in back. The fridge was moved rearward to what was then a closet and everything in the kitchen except the stove was gutted. This allowed for more counter space. It was also the “serving side.”



The new wall will start right where that 8 track is. This shows the rotten ceiling. New beams had to be made and actually, the entire wall was rotten. That little crank thing was cool, it raised the TV antennae and rotated it for reception.



Here is such a pretty shot. Once again, right where you see the door hinge open… that’s where we cut off the front (leaving the roof of course).



Sorry this is out of focus but I loved the stowage in the rear. Which when I finished out the bedroom/office, it had access from the front as well. Battery is to the left. Here I can stow away leveling jacks, Power cords, and hoses, whatever. To the right is the frame of the bed, which had been removed. The white thing was a water tank.



This was the bed but under it was gold. The working Power inverter (transfers AC to DC for lights and pumps) is to the right, the working water pump is to the left.



Before and after shot as I gutted out the kitchen and build a new port side wall. Picture to the left – at left (where those drawers are) is where the 3 bay sink will go. Picture to the right - at right is the frame for the service window. Bathroom to the left is untouched.




Windows removed. Door removed. In this shot you can see the new wall, door re-installation. That’s a sheet of high enamel grooved wall covering. Floor is in the process of being removed.





The stove was a keeper and I was surprised that the health department for two counties thought it was adequate. They claimed that since I had an approved kitchen to work from (I never told them I lost it) a little stove for minor jobs was fine. The thing worked like charm and the oven was to die for. And Yes… we had an onboard Carbon Monoxide detector installed in the office. To right is a nice door I saved (there were two) for what was going to be a NICE backlit liquor cabinet.




Wall sheathing cut, floor removed, ready for decking. This will be were the smokers will roll off.

So the other thing I did you may question. At this point why not just install a smoker in the static way. Pig Roasts are big in that part of the country, bigger than even BBQ. Then there was the beef quarters of steamship rounds and clod I planned on doing. The Meat mama was a rotisserie pit and had real limitations on cuts over 50 pounds. So I secured a 250 Gallon oil tank ( I still have) and I wanted to be able to pull one off, pull the other on. In addition, should I want to go to that lake and NOT take a smoker, I could simple enjoy my redneck deck. So I needed mobility.

This is why I decided to make a system to winch on and off any smoker I chose. But first I needed to build a deck. I chose pressure treated wood. I thought I was saving money. I thought I was saving weight. I saved neither and lost time. Sure looked cool though. The cost of steel rose so an 8 by 4 sheet of diamond back was not gonna do. But in then end, maybe I should have.



4 by 4’s carriage bolted to the beams below. Wiring is for the trailering lights. Gas line would be cut and routed to the rear of the deck just to the right of the door were twin tanks would be placed. I would use the existing tank holder.



Side support (where the deck passes the main beams) and my mod to accept a bolt.



Looking forward at my neighbor at my old house (who rented from me) you will see a tarp and two drums. He had a oil tank installed and the company screwed up and it tilted (it was on legs) and spilled nearly every ounce of fuel. The ground had to be dug up and everything. The tank was under wraps until they settled. I knew that one day the tank would be mine.




Right support secured. Directly under it are the undamaged leveling jacks. There were four and all you had to do was turn that rusty long bolt thing coming out. When the tongue was secured and these four jack were under tension, the Trailer was like a rock.




Ready to trim out. The window you see upper left could be removed and perfectly fit a small AC for summer. At least until I found a top mounted one.




So here’s where we leave part 2. The shiny new steel you see will be the tracking to accept the smokers, which would have identical bases. You will see how this works in the video but the tongue lift would have to come off, the tank holder would be moved permanently and then you could roll the smoker up of your choice and winch it on. The port side front support is also near completion. Bottom left another view of those intact levelers.




Here is a shot of an old Southern Yankee Pit and Commissary trailer that inspired the layout. Its ALL business though and no resting area.




YouTube - ‪Pitmaster T Build Series - Funkotorium Project Part 2 (Setting Smoker Tracks)‬‏

Enjoy The Video of this Process (I was just learning Editing then). This is like 2006/2007 maybe.Remember to subscribe to this thread - there are 8 more parts to go2

Addendum to Part 2


The Rack construction. Someone once said in this forum that the Meat Mama 3000 looked as if I built it to be dropped out of a C-140. I had bold plans. The trailer shows how the whole tracking thing works.



What’s this here for? Me at Dads Ham and CB console. The Tram Titan Two I still have. Obviously Dad started me tinkering early on.

smokinQ2 said:

I'm subscribed. Its like Hemingway meets ACDC!!!

Click to expand...

Yeah, I think Steve Vai was there as Buddy Guy introduced the two. LOL

Part three - building the front commissary wall

I wanted it to go directly to the post. Am I missing something let me know... PM me bud.