The Mobile Bandera build thread

[Czarbecue]

I found a cheap trailer off Craigslist that was the size I wanted. Five years removed from a registration so that's the only scary part. Waiting for the structural parts to be cut and we're a go!

Basic mock up of the trailer. The structural parts will lift the smoker up 12" to be level with the walls.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170828/ded9590de8199caa30acd193fd256dd3.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170828/6ec0971db8e003badfd88d7360fd9ea0.jpg

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[MisterChrister]

Looks like a great plan!

[Haole Pete]

Fun! I love build threads...

[SmittyJonz]

that'll be Cool. Building a firewood box on the front?

[Czarbecue]

that'll be Cool. Building a firewood box on the front?

Yep... in the front left corner. I would pretty much need it to keep the 60/40 weight rule in check. Even with the smoker moved up towards the front, there's only 4 pressure points on the trailer so it makes the weight distributed evenly in front and behind the axle.

Maybe a prep table in the back so it doesn't add too much weight...

[Czarbecue]

Worse than a Smitty-weld... I used u-bolts to attach the original frame to the trailer. I ordered 1/4" tubes and found it labor intensive to drill a 3/8" hole for my bolts. This will do for now.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170905/c76f771a9ecd2d867bb5a4e462e1f215.jpg

[Czarbecue]

Here’s a few updates since the U-Bolt idea...

Welded the legs together instead of bolting them
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171026/4e057e83aa87556ab8c420dcefa5a608.jpg

Tack welded the legs and bear hugged the Banderas on top:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171026/e2df40e38f057b27944e3e4806598f16.jpg

Not sure why it’s leaning but I got something planned for that:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171026/1f43b815b204adbd3910635b077214be.jpg

Added the custom built expanded metal grates:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171026/5da57211a40b02609ebdb0900a5dca8f.jpg

Now for some counter space (expanded metal not welded yet)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171026/6486088bed7907669505cd32878743d2.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171026/989aa035ec422cbc2155dae0e32b410d.jpg

If you take a look at the last two pics, I’m in the process of adding 1/4” steel plates to the firebox. Had a brain fart and forgot to account for the door mechanism so I can’t fit the other plates until I cut a section off. Not really looking forward to doing that with an angle grinder/cutoff wheel...

[pjtexas1]

I'm digging the double bandera trailer! :thumb:

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[SmittyJonz]

:thumb:

[wtxsmoker]

All I know about trailer building.. If it don't pull right it's no fun to own. Pay attention to the 60/40 ratio. Weigh every thing and keep track. Think ahead about what you'll be adding on. Keep the weight on the crown of the road, drivers side. If a wood box is in the front you can add or subtract tongue weigh as needed. Get the right ply tire for the weight carried.

I like a pit build where you don't climb onto the trailer for anything. And as my good friend found out keep the fire box away from the tire! Now you know all I know, Best of luck

[Czarbecue]

All I know about trailer building.. If it don't pull right it's no fun to own. Pay attention to the 60/40 ratio. Weigh every thing and keep track. Think ahead about what you'll be adding on. Keep the weight on the crown of the road, drivers side. If a wood box is in the front you can add or subtract tongue weigh as needed. Get the right ply tire for the weight carried.

I like a pit build where you don't climb onto the trailer for anything. And as my good friend found out keep the fire box away from the tire! Now you know all I know, Best of luck

Yep... the two Banderes are positioned so that they are equally weighted on both sides of the axle. I have not attached the spare on the tongue yet or completed the wood bin on the front driver-side but those two items will bring the trailer to the 60/40 ratio.

I enclosed my trailer with my buddy three years ago and stupidly added a ramp/door so heavy it tossed the whole trailer off. I was fish tailin' big time when riding empty. Now it needs two 40 pound dumb bells in the front of the trailer to balance the load. Lesson learned!

[Czarbecue]

Heh... looking at the other thread, maybe I should name drop UDS or PBC to get more responses and views.

Finished welding the 1/4” steel plates to somewhat insulate the firebox. It goes with the new lid I have for it too. This thing will be plenty capable of a roaring fire.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171030/f96fe5d8ae69a44d73cf52b532fb42dd.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171030/403bb1860ddf5e9a2d58f2509622e097.jpg

[CptKaos]

You have almost 2 weeks to finish it before "THE BASH"

Larry

[PotBelly]

Have you thought about making the shelf above the wheel fold up? If you weld it in place it would make working on that wheel/fender real hard.

[Czarbecue]

Have you thought about making the shelf above the wheel fold up? If you weld it in place it would make working on that wheel/fender real hard.

I thought about it but I didn't want to mess with a latch system for it like the Shirleys have. The fender is pretty rigid and and can support up to 400 pounds (or so I was told). I was stepping on it to cover the Bandera when it rains so I know it can at least support 2 bills...

The tires are 205/70R15 and still have plenty of clearance from the fender to be removed without issues. Is there something I am overlooking?

[Czarbecue]

You have almost 2 weeks to finish it before "THE BASH"

Larry

That was the plan when I first started this project in August but man, I don't know where the time went (well, I do. Kids and work). I still have to do some more welding and then paint the damn thing. All while dodging the rain on my days off and in between watching my kids. I thought I could take them outside and let them play while I weld but I found out they just stand and watch me weld... which is no good.

[smokin'hoogie]

Czar, if the little ones like watching you weld, put them in front of a TV with You Tube access and put on the "Allen's Welding" channel. That'll keep them occupied and out of your hair for a little bit. :-P

Luv that guy, yet I have never even held a welding torch!! :becky: Just like watching him weld stuff.

[ebijack]

I thought I could take them outside and let them play while I weld but I found out they just stand and watch me weld... which is no good.
By them the cheap hand held masks. Let them get interested and learn! Better than playing on electronics or watching the boob tube.

[Czarbecue]

By them the cheap hand held masks. Let them get interested and learn! Better than playing on electronics or watching the boob tube.


The kids are 18 months and almost 3... more than anything I’m afraid they may reach their hand in while I’m concentrating on my bead. Not sure if it’s my mask or what but I have tunnel vision while I’m welding, lol.

And I love Allen’s channel! Only reason I could think building my rig was possible.

[Czarbecue]

I originally wanted to paint the expanded metal shelves red but couldn't figure out how to do it cleanly without mucking up the trailer. So it's just the doors and the firebox lid.

And finally got the woodbox finished. The cooker legs and the woodbox need paint. And the exhaust will need to be taller. That's all I have left besides getting a spare and adding the mount. Oh, and stabilizer jacks.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171115/7bac325154504106627b03f6c4b8d514.jpg

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[BeardedBassGuy]

Those doors look great. Nice work man!

[tom b]

that looks good, what are the red plates with angles and handles for on top of the fire box?

[SmittyJonz]

Lets see some Q......

[Czarbecue]

that looks good, what are the red plates with angles and handles for on top of the fire box?


I saw another cooker using that method inside their firebox for logs. I figured it would prevent the plate from warping and can heat up my splits without igniting them. It's a hot ass griddle without anything on top.

The handle is the original firebox handle from the Bandera. That's 30 pounds of steel right there. Everything is 1/4", including the angle iron and lid.

[Czarbecue]

Original smoke stack: 4x4x4”

New smoke stack: 5x5x12”

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171117/71a5e753e6fff83fe33d77cae1e36315.jpg

[Czarbecue]

New smoke stack is up along with 2 coats of high heat paint. Going to wait until after Thanksgiving to start the fire. I farked up putting on the stacks that I rotated one the wrong way. Oh well...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171122/38f890456df86a2678a3f4fe53ebf617.jpg

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[frognot]

Swanky build right there!

Those bi-directional stacks are for telling which way the wind is blowing.

[ebijack]

Did you just add/sit the stacks on top of the old ones. Or did you cut out the new size and weld into place.

[Czarbecue]

Did you just add/sit the stacks on top of the old ones. Or did you cut out the new size and weld into place.



The original opening was 4” so I used an angle grinder to cut it out to 5” and welded it in place. The original stack was installed from the inside and secured with bolts.

I think I’ll keep a half pan in the top rack for both smokers during storage. Not sure how much rain that V cap up there will block. Looking forward to the burning it out (again)!