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62 replies

I now have my own BBQ trailer -- now what?

FM Former Member
I'm so PUMPED!

Just thought I'd throw this out to the FE gang and get your thoughts on ideas to create a great BBQ trailer. I'm pretty pumped. Borrowed a trailer last year and the loading, unloading, hot and wet Oklahoma wet was brutal

Bought a 8.5' x 16' enclosed trailer with a 3' V-nose on the front. Rear ramp. RV door on the right.

Fully insulated with A/C and Heat.

I added an 80" x 30" drop down working table with a 4' light overhead and a plug on the wall near it. Below that is a wall mounted drop down bed.

E track running laterally down both sides. Also have it wired for 30amp with two plugs on the outside front and rear. Now I need to figure out how to add battery backup/inverter.

So what can I do to the inside to make it even better?

I need ideas for storing stuff in it. Cabinets, boxes, trays, whatever. I'm thinking of adding a Hot Water RV heater and maybe a gray water tank. The ideas are endless.

A Generator is on my list, but not today since I put out the money for the trailer.

I will eventually have two FE's mounted inside, but for now they'll roll out the back.

Appreciate any ideas.

Russ
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FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by RibDog:
[qb] Does Twila know about this? [/qb]
I actually told here BEFORE I ordered. She's happy for me, REALLY! Here first comment was "so now you can get some of that BBQ stuff all in one place and out of the garage.

And she commented; Just think how much you won't have to do, setting up and tearing down by myself.
And I got an eletric winch on the trailer hitch to help lift it (because of my arthritis)

It's either a cargo craft or a pace, don't have my document with me, just went with a local dealer with a 3 year warranty.

Mark,
Went with the 8.5' wide to give me room when I put two FE's inside on opposite walls. I have some good skills, but didn't know if I'd have enough time to insulate a new trailer, so the gave me a deal on one with it included.

Good luck on yours.

Russ
FM Former Member
Okie,
A few thoughts:
1. Refrigeration? This drives the inverter pack as well as you electrical layout.
2. Just replaced vinyl tile with laminate flooring. pleased now but after a BBQ season we will hae a better idea about durability.
3.Wire so you can isolate the AC from the rest of the sytem, because at may contest contest you can get two 20 amp servives but not a 30 amp service.
R ribdogMember
You could always add a satelite dish like Ocala Bill has so you can watch the football games or other such sports.

Is the drop down table at the higher or lower level. When we setup a table in the trailer, we use the extensions on the table legs in order to help our tired old backs.

And that is nice on the door. Tom would really enjoy that. And he knows why.

Sounds like the trailer will be put to good use. I know we are thankful to Craig and his dad for the use of our trailer.
FM Former Member
Russ,
Contact Troy black, Whoop-de-Que. He had one of the nicest battery, converter rigs I've ever seen. He ran a FE100 and a small refrigerator. Really cool. All the best on your new trailer. It should be a blast at set-up and tear-down. Some day I hope to have my CFE100's ( I bought the second one yesterday) mounted in a trailer.
Bill
FM Former Member
Russ,
a couple of more thoughts..
Doc T has the best utility trailer conversion I've seen. Pick his brain. Also, don't get trapped in 'yet". Design the trailer with every option you may want whether you install them or not. That way as you add stuff you don't end up redoing stuff to get the upgrade in.
FM Former Member
Thanks Fred, I took photos of Doc's trailer and yes it's great. He packed a LOT of good stuff into his.

My plan for now was to get the big stuff done and work my way into really making it cool.

Thanks Bill, I'd thought about design of that, but I'm not strong on that stuff. I'll get a hold of Troy.
FM Former Member
Fred, or anyone

Thanks for the tip. I have ZERO knowledge about electricity so help me a little with this question.

Most of the comps I go to, have the 110 power outlets set up and you use a normal extension cord. Now, I can't take my 30amp cord and just plug it into one of those can I? Don't I have to have access to a specific size plug with 30 amp circuits?

If I have them put on separate circuits, and have 2 20 amp, will they plug into regular 10 ten outlets or also need a special plug? Like special 20 amp circuits?

Sorry if they're basic, but I've never owned an RV or trailer.

Appreciate any "guidance"
FM Former Member
1. They make an adapter that converts the 30 amp plug to a normal extension cord plug.
2.You don't need a separate circuit for 20 and 30 amps. If you can only get 20 amps don't run the air or a microwave. I can run the air some times if I have the whole 20 amps, nothing else with it though.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge will post a more complete answer. Have fun.
Bill
FM Former Member
Sounds like I need to get a power meter to see what I'm getting.

First couple of contests, I've have my battery backup, but I'm working towards a battery intervter system.

If I get the power split into two separate cords, one for the A/C and one for the rest, would that help when you only get 20 amps or so?
FM Former Member
Thanks Kevin.

SSSSWWWWEEEETTTT.

Lots of ideas there.

I looked at the old thread, but the photos weren't there. How big is yours?

Is that a regular ramp on the back, you just don't drop it down or is it something special. How does it support the weight? My only problem is when we get those Darned Oklahoma Wind Storms, I'll just push the smokers off the back I guess and close the ramp Wink

What about the stainless shelves on the wall, were they bought as it, or made?

Russ
FM Former Member
Some really sweet trailers on here. I've done a little to my trailer, but not much. If I wanted to add an electrical outlet like on an RV with an outlet on the outside of the trailer, how would I install that? I assume you have to cut into the trailer skin (which I'm very hesitant to do) and install a plug housing.
FM Former Member
yep, forgot about that... I have a brand new site now on a different host, so those images are gone... Will post outside pic below.

Its a 26ft toyhauler (15ft RV front, 11ft back)
The ramp is made to support weight (it has 4 hinges, and I have it propped up using jacks) if yours has 2,not sure if I would use it this way.

The SS shelving, and the diamond plate aluminum cabinets, are for race trailers. Works good for this too.

FM Former Member
russ,
all kidding aside go ahead and bite the bullet and get a honda eu3000is generator. i remember the 1st contest we did at minneola 2 years ago. the power went out and bill asked if we could help people out. we let them plug into our generators and the guys around us went merrily on their way. upshot was the guys we let plug in answered every question we had and then some Big Grin
the part about loading your trailer up to the max was also good advice. to date with the fec and sm150 we have never used the steam table but it is there if we do need it.
if you have a hood system in your rig do not waste money on an a/c. the 5 ft hood i have just sucks the a/c right up it and is the only thing i have been truly sorry over having.
last but not least have fun and enjoy the thing. get some graphics they don't cost much and you would be suprised at the smiles and thumbs up you get while towing-makes life really nice!!!
jack
FM Former Member
Thanks.

I've been looking actually on line for a honda eu3000is but no one will give prices and I want to get a DEAL. Won't settle for anything less, given your past recommendations and Firehouse's.

NO pictures yet, waiting for the trailer to be made. I have a comp in 3 weeks and they promise it in 3 weeks.

I think Satellite and HD Tv will have to wait until I get a few GC's and some money to pay for the trailer first. But it's an idea, tony.

Tony, last year I used two deep cycle marine battery's with simple inverts and ran the FE's off them just fine. This year, I want to create a more permanent configuration. Hook a battery charger up to two batteries in series and then an inverter hooked up to that.

Whoop-de-Que (Troy) sent me photos of his. When I get mine done, I'll post pics.

Looking forward to getting it. I'm also working on replacing my little truck with a real truck.
FM Former Member
I got my Honda eu3000 at Camping World, I can't remember exactly what I paid, but with the Presidents Club discount I believe it was very competitive. If there is one near you check them out.

I also run the FEC's on the Honda, most of the time the trailer is pugged into the contest power, unless its real bad, then I plug the trailer into the Honda as well.
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