Enclosed Trailer layouts??

BBQBeaver · 10-23-2012, 12:24 PM

I am thinking of switching to an enclosed trailer for competitions next year, with a side man door and rear ramp door. Was thinking of lowering and leveling the rear ramp door with jacks and just leaving the cooker(s) parked on the ramp. If possible, could you guys who have these trailers post some interior picks of your layouts? Mine will be an empty canvas to start but would like to see how everyone else has laid theirs out for efficiency.

Also, anyone run RV batteries and an inverter for power?

Thanks.

cpw · 10-23-2012, 12:50 PM

I'm watching this thread with anticipation.

Edit: It would also be great to know what size trailers people are using.

thillin · 10-23-2012, 02:40 PM

I use to cook out of a 6x10. It was just tall enough inside. If I did it again, I would go with a 7x14 tandem axle. Might go for a V nose, but not sure if it is easier to pull or not. Only build out i did was a build out in the front. A workbench with underneath storage and an overhead shelf. The workbench was plywood cut to fit and I covered it with formica. ANd in Texas, the rooftop ac was a must.

Smoke'n Ice · 10-23-2012, 04:09 PM

Here is a picture of my 6 X12 vnose area. It is fully insulated with FRP walls and ceiling and garage floor tiles. Inline propane hot water, xantrax inverter 22 gal fresh water, shur pump & accumulator. Baskets are from IKEA. TV is on a swing arm.

dmprantz · 10-23-2012, 04:13 PM

Is there any carbon-monoxide concern from having your water heater inside the trailer?

dmp

cpw · 10-23-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmprantz

Is there any carbon-monoxide concern from having your water heater inside the trailer?

dmp

Not to mention the heat? If that propane heater is anything like the one I have, it puts off a ton of heat + exhaust from the top.

Smoke'n Ice · 10-23-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmprantz

Is there any carbon-monoxide concern from having your water heater inside the trailer?

dmp

Hence the co detector as seen in the left of the picture.

Have not had an issue with the heat as the use of hot water is intermittent and the AC keeps up. Long runs on the hot water do cause some odor but that is a seldom occurance. The water heater is a ventless one and the door and ramp openings are covered with freezer curtains.

The inverter is a 2500 watt unit and can carry the trailer and FEC100 for about 12 hours off a pair of deep cycle marine/rv batteries, just can't run the AC for more than 15 minutes and then the batteries die. Alas, no ac when on the inverter but can watch tv and charge my phone

QTEX · 10-23-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpw

I'm watching this thread with anticipation.

Edit: It would also be great to know what size trailers people are using.

Me too!

QTEX · 10-23-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQBeaver

Was thinking of lowering and leveling the rear ramp door with jacks and just leaving the cooker(s) parked on the ramp.
Thanks.

Been thinking about that one myself for some time. Already have a 16' utility trailer and a 5 x 10 enclosed so was thinking about doing that to the enclosed but it would still be small yet light to tow for longer hauls. Putting a roof on the 16 would just give so much more room. Just a lot more work too.

Coz · 10-23-2012, 08:41 PM

Heres our 7X14 .She is still a work in progress. Its a barn door type with an aluminum platform I made to fold down. When time permits I will have a slide out roof for the platform .For now its a bunch of conduit and tarps.

Exe-que-tioner · 10-23-2012, 08:43 PM

Here is what I did when I first started, have done much more since. Have more pics somewhere if I can find them. Have since added a stainless steel prep table next to the fridge and we also have the battery/charger/inverter set-up that works very well. Not as fancy as a lot of trailers out there, but it works. If you have buddies with some trade skills you can accomplish almost anything

sdbbq1234 · 10-23-2012, 08:50 PM

I am loving this thread! Been thinking of gong the trailer route ever since last weekend when I was able to get a sneak peek at the folks trailers a the Woodstock, VA comp.

wallace

danmaley · 10-23-2012, 11:18 PM

I too am looking at purchasing a trailer and building it out myself. I thought that I might build it out as a modular design were the tables, sink and fridge might be removable in attempt to make it usable for other trailering use.

For folks that installed sinks, did you need to install a grey water tank as well as a freshwater tank or does it drain outside of the trailer? I would assume many contest locations have restrictions on draining it to the ground outside the trailer, but I have no experience with that.

Dan

Smoke'n Ice · 10-24-2012, 06:26 AM

Get a wheeled rv water tote and position it under the drain hose outside. They usually hold 20 to 30 gallons and some have a handle for attaching to a tow ball for moving to a dump area though I did not find this necessary.

Everything, with the exception of what you see in the front was on wheeled metro shelves cut down to work height and wooden counter tops from ikea cut to size and held on with L straps. Held to the wall for travel with straps.

Also modified a Sam's bin shelf system as a rolling item and used folding work tables. Made multiple configurations possible and also allowed for folding cots at night.

TRS · 10-24-2012, 06:39 AM

Here are a few pics of ours. It too is a work in progress. Its a 8.5x20'. Has 2 side windows and an rv door w/screen. I ordered it with AC, 30amp box, insulated ceiling, heavy duty ramp, awning etc. I am finishing the rest off myself. I installed the rubber diamond plate floor ( I did get the bubbles out!), 6 tie downs, insulated the walls, hung paneling, porti potty, adding cabinets and sinks this winter. We also go camping in this trailer thus the paneling!
We roll the smokers out and use a queen size blow up aero bed to sleep on. Works great so far. We are also looking at just cooking on the smokers on the ramp so I am looking at building a wall/divider just inside the ramp door as to keep the cold/heat in, bugs out and privacy for the wife. Some teams just hang the plastic cold flaps for their divider between the cookers and the inside of the trailer. The wife wants something a bit more private/secure.
I will say that trailers fill up and get crowed fast so get one bigger right from the start and "grow" into it. You will be happy you did!

Good Luck!

10-23-2012, 12:24 PM	#1
BBQBeaver On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-20-10 Location: Niagara Falls, ON	Enclosed Trailer layouts?? I am thinking of switching to an enclosed trailer for competitions next year, with a side man door and rear ramp door. Was thinking of lowering and leveling the rear ramp door with jacks and just leaving the cooker(s) parked on the ramp. If possible, could you guys who have these trailers post some interior picks of your layouts? Mine will be an empty canvas to start but would like to see how everyone else has laid theirs out for efficiency. Also, anyone run RV batteries and an inverter for power? Thanks. __________________ TAURUS BBQ - Championship Cooking

10-23-2012, 12:50 PM	#2
cpw Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-28-11 Location: Savannah, Georgia Name/Nickname : Chad	I'm watching this thread with anticipation. Edit: It would also be great to know what size trailers people are using. __________________ ________________ [COLOR=Orange]Outlaw 2860 Porch Model[/COLOR] Lang 84 Deluxe Yoder YS640 Savannah, GA [URL="http://www.facebook.com/yesdearbbq"]Yes, Dear BBQ on Facebook[/URL] Proudly sponsored by Royal Oak Charcoal and [URL="https://www.atlantabbqstore.com/"]The Atlanta BBQ store[/URL] Last edited by cpw; 10-23-2012 at 01:16 PM..

10-23-2012, 02:40 PM	#3
thillin somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-21-04 Location: Keller, Texas	I use to cook out of a 6x10. It was just tall enough inside. If I did it again, I would go with a 7x14 tandem axle. Might go for a V nose, but not sure if it is easier to pull or not. Only build out i did was a build out in the front. A workbench with underneath storage and an overhead shelf. The workbench was plywood cut to fit and I covered it with formica. ANd in Texas, the rooftop ac was a must. __________________ Med Spicewine-adopted 3/13/10 *CL Score* 2 Large BGEs(pimped out w/Thirdeye Eggcessories)-hatched 6/4/07 & 4/20/11 Med BGE-adopted 2/2/08 *CL Score* -SOLD Mini BGE-adopted 1/31/08 *CL Score* Traeger 075-adopted 12/3/11 CL Score Weber 1 touch *CL Score* Weber Spirit 500 *CL Score* Weber Smokey Joe Silver *CL Score* BLUE & RED Thermapens Klose 20x42-SOLD Paddlin Pigs BBQ Ty

10-23-2012, 04:13 PM	#5
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	Is there any carbon-monoxide concern from having your water heater inside the trailer? dmp __________________

10-23-2012, 08:50 PM	#12
sdbbq1234 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-11-10 Location: Northern VA	I am loving this thread! Been thinking of gong the trailer route ever since last weekend when I was able to get a sneak peek at the folks trailers a the Woodstock, VA comp. wallace __________________ wallace(Don) - Life Is Good But BBQ Is Better - BWS - Fat Boy - WSM 22.5 - A bunch on other outdoor cooking stuff. - KCBS CBJ# 58657 - MABA Member "Take luck!"

10-23-2012, 11:18 PM	#13
danmaley Wandering around with a bag of matchlight, looking for a match. Join Date: 03-05-11 Location: Bloomington MN	I too am looking at purchasing a trailer and building it out myself. I thought that I might build it out as a modular design were the tables, sink and fridge might be removable in attempt to make it usable for other trailering use. For folks that installed sinks, did you need to install a grey water tank as well as a freshwater tank or does it drain outside of the trailer? I would assume many contest locations have restrictions on draining it to the ground outside the trailer, but I have no experience with that. Dan

10-24-2012, 06:26 AM	#14
Smoke'n Ice is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-08-09 Location: Plano, TX	Get a wheeled rv water tote and position it under the drain hose outside. They usually hold 20 to 30 gallons and some have a handle for attaching to a tow ball for moving to a dump area though I did not find this necessary. Everything, with the exception of what you see in the front was on wheeled metro shelves cut down to work height and wooden counter tops from ikea cut to size and held on with L straps. Held to the wall for travel with straps. Also modified a Sam's bin shelf system as a rolling item and used folding work tables. Made multiple configurations possible and also allowed for folding cots at night.