Downsizing equipment

[Tack]

I have decided to downsize my comp equipment this year due to the cost of gas. I usually pull my 18 foot trailer with the mounted cooker and refridgeration but the cost was killing me. I have downsized to using a modified Brinkman offset and a modified New Braunfels offset. I can get everything I need for a comp in the bed of my pickup.

Has anyone else downsized or changed equipment due to the economy?

[QueNivorous]

If things keep going the way they are we might downsize some comps but not the equipment. Less comps = Less Fuel = Less Dollars type thinking.

[Bbq Bubba]

What were you cooking on before a Brinkman? You sure you wanna compete with a unit like that?

[Fat Woody]

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

What were you cooking on before a Brinkman? You sure you wanna compete with a unit like that?

What's wrong with competing on an old Brinkmann? We use this old beast for comps and even though she's not the Cadillac of Smokers, if you know how use it, she'll kick out some terrific Q!

After all, it's not the size (or in this case price) of the wand, it's the magic in it.

[Mike - CSBBBQ]

Went in the pickup to Lakeland and really missed the coach. However saved big $ It is a hard decision for me because I like comfort in my old age LOL That being said I will probably do a few more in the truck (especially when solo and making a quick trip. Catering is reducing the number of comps this year.

[Bbq Bubba]

Originally Posted by Fat Woody

What's wrong with competing on an old Brinkmann? We use this old beast for comps and even though she's not the Cadillac of Smokers, if you know how use it, she'll kick out some terrific Q!

After all, it's not the size (or in this case price) of the wand, it's the magic in it.

I dont think thats a modified Brinkman offset.

[WineMaster]

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

I dont think thats a modified Brinkman offset.

Ya thats the Brinkman that is like the Bandera right?

[Fat Woody]

Ah-so, it's the horizontal Brinkmann we're talking about, not the upright, my mistake! It would be a bit more of a challenge to cook on horizontals, we tried that too and gave up in favor of the Lefty Bandera clone. I have a NBBD and you could do a comp with two of 'em, but it would me a major pain in the A$$!

[Tack]

I was originally cooking on a homebuilt,not by me, cooker that is 6 feet long and 3 feet front to back. Basically it looked like a large steel box. I put the fire in one end and the meat in the other and let it roll. It really shouldn't have produced good q but I never had a complaint except for that pesky judge 6.

[Rich Parker]

I decided to fuel the economy by upgrading my trailer from 12' to 20'. ;)

[Q-Dat]

I'm actually trying to work it out with my technique where I can do a comp with three Weber Kettles, and one 18" WSM.

Anybody care to guess which meat is going on which cooker?

[manbearpig]

Oh man , I can't imagine going back to truckin the equipment after having a trailer.I use a truck now and by the time I unload my Superior and set up the canopy I am whooped . Call me lazy , but if I had a trailer with the conveniences you mentioned I would consider doing one or two less comps. Just sayin.

[Tack]

I actually did a comp last year, Harrisburg Pa, without the trailer and had a much better time. No problems getting in or out, no traffic troubles. And cooked much better Q with the older and smaller cookers.

[Candy Sue]

Took the Jambo to the carwash this morning, towed for the first time with the Ford Edge. Behaved beautifully on the road and didn't seem to cost much on fuel efficiency. I believe if I had to leave the van at home, I could make downsizing work. If not with the Jambo with the WoodMaster T1000 for sure. Puts a whole new spin on competing on a shoestring!

[Alexa RnQ]

We used to haul everything in a 5' x 8' trailer that was crammed to the last cubic inch. We got really tired of sucking gas to the tune of 12mpg, and only being able to go 55 on some stretches of road.

We took a long, hard look at what we were taking along. Basically we had covered every freaking "what if?" that might possibly happen, plus backup, and had a bunch of crap we just didn't need.

We made a conscious decision to streamline everything, to bring ONLY what we KNEW we would use and not a thing more. The only thing we pack along now that we don't use on every single outing is the first-aid kit and the fire extinguisher.

As a result, we now fit 4 WSMs, 2 canopies, 3 6' tables, 1 4' table, two side tables, two coolers, a Cambro, and everything else we need for a contest into the back of a minivan. In August 2010 we did our first outing without a trailer, and haven't looked back -- 33 contests later, we haven't wished for any of the extraneous junk we used to haul.

We still use nearly every cubic inch, but now get about 24 mpg and can cruise over 70 to get there. We cut a couple of hours off long trips, which increased our range. Packing and unpacking is still a drag, but at least we know there's not one bit of it that's redundant or unnecessary.