Equipment/Smoker transportation - Page 2

gpcvg · 01-17-2014, 04:41 PM

I drive a Tundra so I feel pretty good about towing a toy hauler or enclosed trailer. I thought about putting the smoker in the truck but its just too heavy to do by myself. I was going to get a trailer because I could add things to it as time allowed. No shower or facilities but an air mattress would work easily to sleep on.

joemat · 01-17-2014, 07:50 PM

I just got a new 6x10 Toy Hauler. I just spent last weekend putting in this diamond plate vinyl flooring and ramp extender. Also built a 12V DC panel to run interior LED lights and exterior LED spreader lights when not connected to the truck or generator. Battery mounted on tongue.

gpcvg · 01-17-2014, 08:45 PM

What are you doing to the walls? I had a competitor at Madison IN to lines the floor.

ckelly · 01-17-2014, 10:38 PM

Damn Joe!
Wanna fly out to Seattle and line the floor and ramp for my 6x12?
That looks sweet!

Bourbon Barrel BBQ · 01-17-2014, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpcvg

I am thinking of using a 7x14 enclosed trailer with a/c and a power set up. Tables and maybe a sink could be picked and added through auctions. I have ordered a Stumps Classic so I am thinking of having a wench installed in the floor to help me get it in and out. Just looking and getting some estimates right now

You'll be fine. I did several contest with my stumps stretch with an F150 and a small utility trailer. The stumps are heavy but you should be able to maneuver it around with two people. Most competitors are always willing to lend a hand with loading/unloading. Enclosed trailers with AC do make it nice to stay out of the elements but don't think they are necessary. If you have the money they are nice don't get me wrong. I went from a utility trailer and pop ups to a 8x24 with AC/heat and electric. It makes a difference but my results were just as good if not better without the big trailer.

LTG · 01-19-2014, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpcvg

I drive a Tundra so I feel pretty good about towing a toy hauler or enclosed trailer. I thought about putting the smoker in the truck but its just too heavy to do by myself. I was going to get a trailer because I could add things to it as time allowed. No shower or facilities but an air mattress would work easily to sleep on.

Another option is seeing if you have a local cargo trailer dealer that rents trailers. For our last sanctioned comp I rented a 5x8 enclosed. So much easier it wasn't even funny. We use a drum and a wsm though. Price was cheap too.

Sure beat loading everything in my f150 crew cab w 5.5 ft bed and a hitch carrier for the drink cooler.

CBQ · 01-19-2014, 11:51 PM

You have lots of options, and it depends on your budget and how often you cook.

2006
We started loading everything into the back of a Suburban. Worked great, but took a long time to pack and unpack. That was fine because we were cooking 1-3 times a year, always locally.

2009
We then got a cheap used RV and pulled a cargo trailer with the bigger items like the smokers in it. In 2010 we built rolling shelves and started wheeling everything in and out of the trailer instead of carrying it from the RV - big time saver. In '09 used RVs were going for nothing because banks had stopped financing them for a couple of years. This was a lot less expensive than getting a better tow vehicle and a customer trailer, and having a shower, toilet, AC, and heat didn't hurt either. By this time we were doing 9-15 contests, so it made more sense for us.

2012 to the present
After 3 seasons with the RV/Trailer combo, my wife was convinced of the value of using an RV, so we replaced the older unit with a Toy Hauler RV so now we don't have to tow anything. We still use the wheeled shelving, too. Last year we cooked 19 contests, and some of them were across the country. We sometimes have up to 6 people cooking with us, so we like to set up outside - and this works well for quick setup and takedown.

Custom porch trailers, or toy hauler travel trailers (that you tow) are good options as well, the latter seems popular here in the northeast. Most toy hauler trailers are quite heavy, especially with full tanks, so the capacity of your tow vehicle is important. For me, I would have had to replace the tow vehicle, so the toy hauler trailer and a new truck vs. the toy hauler RV were kind of a wash cost wise.

If you are only doing a few comps, rent a cargo or flatbed trailer. Uhaul trailer rates are pretty reasonable, and there is no mileage charge on trailer rentals.

gpcvg · 01-20-2014, 09:05 AM

I feel as though I will be doing 7 to 10 competitions maybe more if its as much fun as the couple I have been to with another team. My wife won't be cooking but may come along depending on what the event is and what music is there. I figure that I will be doing this alone for awhile so I am looking for ease of unloading and loading. I like the idea of the toy hauler and maybe I can find a bumper pull that my Toyota handle. With just me, I don't think I need anything large

Stoke&Smoke · 01-20-2014, 04:58 PM

We put the cookers, table, cambro, cooler etc. in the back seat and bed of my Avalanche, I can get a 22" WSM in there with an 18" kettle and 18" WSM, which is all we need.

We finally broke down in early 2012 and got a fairly small (22') travel trailer strictly for creature comforts. After several years of doing it either out of a tent, or an old broken down pop-up trailer, it was time!

LTG · 01-20-2014, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoke&Smoke

We put the cookers, table, cambro, cooler etc. in the back seat and bed of my Avalanche, I can get a 22" WSM in there with an 18" kettle and 18" WSM, which is all we need.

We finally broke down in early 2012 and got a fairly small (22') travel trailer strictly for creature comforts. After several years of doing it either out of a tent, or an old broken down pop-up trailer, it was time!

You guys have a sweet setup. We were directly across from you at Arthur.

Clownkeeper · 01-22-2014, 05:21 AM

This is what I did for my first comp. I packed up my Jeep and put the smokers on a cargo hauler. It still wasnt enough room so teammate had to take the rest in a pick up truck. Now I rent a 5x8 cargo trailer for comps.

rksylves · 01-22-2014, 07:08 AM

This was my first year or two. Everything got packed in the bed and cab. After unpacking, I would lay out my sleeping bag on an air matress in the bed. Was actually pretty comfortable.

This has been the last two years. It's an 8.5x18.

I you go the trailer route, figure out what you think will work and go one more size up. I'm already getting that Two-Foot-Itis. A 24 footer just may have to get looked at shortly.

Russ

Eggspert · 01-22-2014, 07:48 AM

I think we have a nice and slightly unique set-up. We haul all of our equipment with an enclosed trailer with an "overnight package". The overnight package means it has two double beds that flip out on the side and are canvas covered (think Colman Camper). The trailer has a rubber floor, vinyl walls, ramp door, electricity, lights, air conditioning and heat. It is also aluminum and light enough that our V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee can pull. We have used it for two years now to haul all our equipment and 4 large BGE's. For us it works great, but it is a lot of work to load and unload. I would love a porch trailer where the smoker could be mounted.

We are working on getting a new smoker that would be too heavy to load up and down the ramp. We bought this portable winch . . . hopefully it works!

http://www.amazon.com/WARN-885000-Co...keywords=winch

Hope this gives you some more ideas!

Eggspert

gpcvg · 01-22-2014, 08:53 AM

I started looking at toy haulers yesterday since I kinda talked the wife into it. I sold her on taking the grand kids to on trips to National Parks and camping. Does anyone use a toy hauler for double duty? If so what kind of truck are you pulling with? I can't talk her into a new truck too.

The pictures are great.

joemat · 01-22-2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpcvg

I started looking at toy haulers yesterday since I kinda talked the wife into it. I sold her on taking the grand kids to on trips to National Parks and camping. Does anyone use a toy hauler for double duty? If so what kind of truck are you pulling with? I can't talk her into a new truck too.

The pictures are great.

My toy hauler is only a 6x10 but I do use it for double duty (also hauling my son's race Kart and gear to the track). I have a RAM 2500 Diesel, buts its more for my 30 foot boat trailer than the toy hauler (I can't even feel that behind the truck).

01-19-2014, 11:51 PM	#22
CBQ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 01-11-09 Location: Cumberland, RI	You have lots of options, and it depends on your budget and how often you cook. 2006 We started loading everything into the back of a Suburban. Worked great, but took a long time to pack and unpack. That was fine because we were cooking 1-3 times a year, always locally. 2009 We then got a cheap used RV and pulled a cargo trailer with the bigger items like the smokers in it. In 2010 we built rolling shelves and started wheeling everything in and out of the trailer instead of carrying it from the RV - big time saver. In '09 used RVs were going for nothing because banks had stopped financing them for a couple of years. This was a lot less expensive than getting a better tow vehicle and a customer trailer, and having a shower, toilet, AC, and heat didn't hurt either. By this time we were doing 9-15 contests, so it made more sense for us. 2012 to the present After 3 seasons with the RV/Trailer combo, my wife was convinced of the value of using an RV, so we replaced the older unit with a Toy Hauler RV so now we don't have to tow anything. We still use the wheeled shelving, too. Last year we cooked 19 contests, and some of them were across the country. We sometimes have up to 6 people cooking with us, so we like to set up outside - and this works well for quick setup and takedown. Custom porch trailers, or toy hauler travel trailers (that you tow) are good options as well, the latter seems popular here in the northeast. Most toy hauler trailers are quite heavy, especially with full tanks, so the capacity of your tow vehicle is important. For me, I would have had to replace the tow vehicle, so the toy hauler trailer and a new truck vs. the toy hauler RV were kind of a wash cost wise. If you are only doing a few comps, rent a cargo or flatbed trailer. Uhaul trailer rates are pretty reasonable, and there is no mileage charge on trailer rentals. __________________ Chris Rhode Hog BBQ "The Most Dangerous Team in BBQ" - Jon Vallone KCBS, KCBS CBJ, NEBS

01-20-2014, 04:58 PM	#24
Stoke&Smoke Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-18-07 Location: Western burbs of Chicago, IL	We put the cookers, table, cambro, cooler etc. in the back seat and bed of my Avalanche, I can get a 22" WSM in there with an 18" kettle and 18" WSM, which is all we need. We finally broke down in early 2012 and got a fairly small (22') travel trailer strictly for creature comforts. After several years of doing it either out of a tent, or an old broken down pop-up trailer, it was time! __________________ 2 Skinny Cooks Competition Team [URL]http://2SkinnyCooks.blogspot.com[/URL] KCBS CJ/TC #17139 Member ILBBQS Too many cookers to list :crazy:

01-22-2014, 07:08 AM	#27
rksylves Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-28-09 Location: Melbourne, Florida	This was my first year or two. Everything got packed in the bed and cab. After unpacking, I would lay out my sleeping bag on an air matress in the bed. Was actually pretty comfortable. This has been the last two years. It's an 8.5x18. I you go the trailer route, figure out what you think will work and go one more size up. I'm already getting that Two-Foot-Itis. A 24 footer just may have to get looked at shortly. Russ __________________ Lead Cook 'Second Star BBQ' using a Big Orange 'Prince', 22 OTG, SJS FBA & KCBS CBJ

01-17-2014, 04:41 PM	#16
gpcvg On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-29-13 Location: Loudon,TN Name/Nickname : Gene	I drive a Tundra so I feel pretty good about towing a toy hauler or enclosed trailer. I thought about putting the smoker in the truck but its just too heavy to do by myself. I was going to get a trailer because I could add things to it as time allowed. No shower or facilities but an air mattress would work easily to sleep on.

01-17-2014, 08:45 PM	#18
gpcvg On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-29-13 Location: Loudon,TN Name/Nickname : Gene	What are you doing to the walls? I had a competitor at Madison IN to lines the floor.

01-17-2014, 10:38 PM	#19
ckelly Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-06-12 Location: Auburn, WA	Damn Joe! Wanna fly out to Seattle and line the floor and ramp for my 6x12? That looks sweet!

01-20-2014, 09:05 AM	#23
gpcvg On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-29-13 Location: Loudon,TN Name/Nickname : Gene	I feel as though I will be doing 7 to 10 competitions maybe more if its as much fun as the couple I have been to with another team. My wife won't be cooking but may come along depending on what the event is and what music is there. I figure that I will be doing this alone for awhile so I am looking for ease of unloading and loading. I like the idea of the toy hauler and maybe I can find a bumper pull that my Toyota handle. With just me, I don't think I need anything large

01-22-2014, 05:21 AM	#26
Clownkeeper Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-13-13 Location: Elkhorn, WI	This is what I did for my first comp. I packed up my Jeep and put the smokers on a cargo hauler. It still wasnt enough room so teammate had to take the rest in a pick up truck. Now I rent a 5x8 cargo trailer for comps.

01-22-2014, 07:48 AM	#28
Eggspert Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-25-12 Location: Willmar, MN	I think we have a nice and slightly unique set-up. We haul all of our equipment with an enclosed trailer with an "overnight package". The overnight package means it has two double beds that flip out on the side and are canvas covered (think Colman Camper). The trailer has a rubber floor, vinyl walls, ramp door, electricity, lights, air conditioning and heat. It is also aluminum and light enough that our V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee can pull. We have used it for two years now to haul all our equipment and 4 large BGE's. For us it works great, but it is a lot of work to load and unload. I would love a porch trailer where the smoker could be mounted. We are working on getting a new smoker that would be too heavy to load up and down the ramp. We bought this portable winch . . . hopefully it works! http://www.amazon.com/WARN-885000-Co...keywords=winch Hope this gives you some more ideas! Eggspert

01-22-2014, 08:53 AM	#29
gpcvg On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-29-13 Location: Loudon,TN Name/Nickname : Gene	I started looking at toy haulers yesterday since I kinda talked the wife into it. I sold her on taking the grand kids to on trips to National Parks and camping. Does anyone use a toy hauler for double duty? If so what kind of truck are you pulling with? I can't talk her into a new truck too. The pictures are great.