BBQ Trailer Build Tread

[Quid Pro Q]

I decided to make the leap from my open air utility trailer and purchased a 7x16 v-nose Freedom enclosed trailer. I plan to build it out to continue on with this crazy passion known as competition bbq. After selling my reverse flow and two big green egg trailer on Sunday, I quickly ordered a new Deep South Smoker GC28 on Monday. The build time is currently 8-10 weeks, so I've got some time to work on this new trailer.

Here's what I started with:

And here is the new one:

I'm having Deep South paint the new smoker to match the truck, which GM calls Mineral Metallic.

Currently, I'm working on the layout. Haven't decided yet how much space to dedicate to "living space" vs kitchen space. Because I'll be rolling the smoker out to the tailgate, I think it's best to place the kitchen in the rear and the living space in the front. That way, the kitchen is next to the smoker.

I also have to figure out tie down spots for the smoker and If D rings or a track system is best.

I think before anything is in place, I need to insulate the walls. Hopefully I can remove the upper plywood and slide in foam board. Seems like the most effective method. Anyways, stay tuned for whats to come!

 

[Beentown]

Nice, keep us in the loop.

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[SirPorkaLot]

Looks great!
Only tip I can offer is to watch your weight balance.
If you put the smoker and kitchen in the rear, with living area in the front, most of your weight will end up at the rear of the trailer, which can make the trailer squirrelly to pull.

 

[Quid Pro Q]

Looks great!
Only tip I can offer is to watch your weight balance.
If you put the smoker and kitchen in the rear, with living area in the front, most of your weight will end up at the rear of the trailer, which can make the trailer squirrelly to pull.

Thanks for the tip. The smoker will ride as close to the V as possible. It's aprox 800#.

 

[Czarbecue]

On your old trailer, did you have any issues with the two eggs on the tongue?

 

[Quid Pro Q]

On your old trailer, did you have any issues with the two eggs on the tongue?

None at all. It actually just made a 1000 mile trip to Tx.

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[cpw]

I don’t recall where it is, but I have a build thread when we built out our trailer, it was 8x16, but we also cook on the ramp. We put a TON of thought into the layout, cooking on it with temporary tables etc while we finalized the build out. If you want to see the final product, it’s currently for sale in the sales and ventures forum here.


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[Quid Pro Q]

I don’t recall where it is, but I have a build thread when we built out our trailer, it was 8x16, but we also cook on the ramp. We put a TON of thought into the layout, cooking on it with temporary tables etc while we finalized the build out. If you want to see the final product, it’s currently for sale in the sales and ventures forum here.


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Thanks, I'm the guy that asked you on Facebook about the rear canopy.

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[Quid Pro Q]

When insulating the walls, could I go over the plywood with foamboard and then a plastic board? Seems like it would be a lot easier.

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[pharp]

When insulating the walls, could I go over the plywood with foamboard and then a plastic board? Seems like it would be a lot easier.

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Thats what we did on the truck we are building out right now. We used FRP on top of the insulation.

 

[Quid Pro Q]

It's been a busy week and I feel like I've been all over town buying items for the trailer. Here's the current list of craigslist/facebook finds:

I picked up this Titan 2.5 gallon water heater for $50. This is for our sink.

Rather than going with a rooftop a/c, I decided to get a portable unit. I found this 12000 btu honeywell for $100. This model doesnt need a drain, so all I need to do is vent the exhaust out. I was thinking either using a standard flush mount dryer vent or a marine inspection plate and I could unscrew it and slide out the flex tube.

I also picked up a couple of cabinets for storage. a 6'x4'x1.5' gladiator garage storage cabinet as well as a smaller wall cabinet to hang over our prep area.

At this point, here's what I'm thinking for the layout. This drawing is to scale. We'll be wheeling the smoker out onto the tailgate. I still need to purchase the Add-a-wall as well as rear bag awning to extend over the tailgate. I'd love some ideas/suggestions on the layout. So far, this seems to work the best given the equipment I currently own.

Rather than putting in a standard refrigerator, I have a chest freezer and a thermostat which allows me to use the freezer as a fridge. The chest step up allows the cold are to stay in when opening the door. The mini-fridges seem to struggle to keep temps, especially in the hot months.

 

[PekingPorker]

We have the same trailer as you although I believe your garage area is 4 feet longer. We did a 10ft kitchen area and here's our layout with the Deep South mounted (not necessary but we have other DSS at home). Two Cambros go under the stainless table on the left

 

[Quid Pro Q]

We have the same trailer as you although I believe your garage area is 4 feet longer. We did a 10ft kitchen area and here's our layout with the Deep South mounted (not necessary but we have other DSS at home). Two Cambros go under the stainless table on the left

Love the set up and of course, the DSS. It looks like you keep the smoker inside while in use. if so, how do you like it? Are you able to keep the kitchen cool? Is soot an issue? Ideally, Id keep it mounted inside, but Im fearful I'd never be able to cool down the trailer.

 

[PekingPorker]

Love the set up and of course, the DSS. It looks like you keep the smoker inside while in use. if so, how do you like it? Are you able to keep the kitchen cool? Is soot an issue? Ideally, Id keep it mounted inside, but Im fearful I'd never be able to cool down the trailer.

We try to always keep the gate down and at least one of the wings open if the weather allows. If that's the case, it doesn't get too hot. One comp last summer in August there was a driving rain and we sealed everything up. It got hot! The temp got up to like 90 overnight in the kitchen. However, that's only happened once. It actually worked nice late in the season when it was freezing temps at night and we seal up the trailer and it's 55-60 degrees in the morning in the kitchen.

 

[PekingPorker]

Oh, just realizing you're in Florida, so you're gonna get the 20 minute down pour a lot more often. It does look like you have a second A/C unit on the back of your rig though, right?

 

[Quid Pro Q]

Oh, just realizing you're in Florida, so you're gonna get the 20 minute down pour a lot more often. It does look like you have a second A/C unit on the back of your rig though, right?

I have one 12,000 BTU A/C. Mine is has a rear ramp, which we plan to lower and cook on. I'm planning to buy something like this:

 

[Smoke on Badger Mountain]

Can't see a bunch of the photos. Anyone else?

 

[Czarbecue]

Can't see a bunch of the photos. Anyone else?

Same... owner needs to update his Google privacy settings.