Not a bad idea, but I only painted mine. It’s almost four years old and still good as new. If you decide to undercoat it let us know what you think after it’s done.
Yes, a lot of my customers have done exactly that Phillip. You can build the body longer and hang the extra length off the back of the trailer frame. The construction method used to build the body is so stiff and strong that you don’t need any additional support beyond the stock trailer frame. Here are some pics of customer carts built this way:
We recommend purchasing an additional two burner stove from Harbor Freight and putting a Griddle Q or Sizzle Q on top of the stove. Not sure if they are NSF. They are made by Little Griddle Outdoor Cookware. Here’s the link: http://www.littlegriddle.com
I’m in Cali also I was wondering what County you’re in that requires a refrigerator because I’m building mine and i was just wondering if I need one too
At what point would be too far to extend the box over the frame in the back? I would think that you’d need to keep the center of gravity in front of the wheels.
Yes, you must make sure that the finished cart balances slightly tongue down. You can accomplish that by adding weight inside the front half of the cart body if necessary. If you do, make sure to secure the weight so it can’t shift while you are towing the cart.
The construction method used in the cart body is strong enough to allow for a couple of feet extending beyond the rear cross member of the trailer frame.
So what is the time frame for most folks to build a cart? Just curious. I am on SSI and am going
to do this to spplement myself. So I have a I can work on it 8-10 hours a day to build.
I had one student who joined the membership on a Monday, started reading Carts of Cash, and got so excited that he booked a gig for Saturday. The problem was he didn’t have a cart yet. He busted his butt and built his E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart in three days!
Most folks take between one and three weeks working part time, about five or six days working full time.
You need to drill holes in the underside of the frame members where they contact the bolt heads. Not all the way through, just deep enough to clear the bolts. An easy way to do this is to hold the frame member in place, then whack it with a hammer near each bolt head. The bolt head will leave a mark so you know where to drill.
I used drywall screws. They are embedded in wood after the skins go on so no need to worry about corrosion. You could use galvanized screws if want to. It would be more expensive though.
I would like to also add that here in Florida where we deal with moisture nearly everyday of the year, OSB is used as the second story walls and of course for all roofs in housing design, as well as the walls and floors of apartment buildings (I worked construction for a few years). The OSB is designed to expand with the weather changes; whereas, plywood (as a base) could splinter during weather changing. Just my $.02. Also when the wood is painted it should keep it well weather protected.
I don’t have a question just wanted you to know that I have started to gather up parts for my cart. The kids have been out on spring break so they are helping or hindering I haven’t quite figured out which but it has been fun will send pics of my progress.
That reminds me of when I was a machinist apprentice many years ago. The foreman asked my lead man how long a job would take. The lead man replied, “Three hours by myself. If the apprentice helps me, six.”
Yes, plywood is perfectly fine for the floor. I used OSB as my floor because I already had some lying around, and because it doesn’t warp. Finding a flat piece of plywood at the lumber yard is getting harder and harder these days.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for making this program- it’s great. I do have a question about the dimensions of the OSB board base. Assuming the trailer is perfectly square, what should the length of the base be? The width is 39&3/4, is the length 47&1/2? I got into a situation where I bought a 4×8 ft board and had the lowes employee cut the board to 39&3/4. This left me with a base dimension of 39&3/4 inch width and a 48 inch length.
#1 Yes, you won’t need most of the wood called for in the Bill of Materials. The rest of the parts will be applicable.
#2 Yes, we have some basic blueprints, and health department schematics on the E-Z Built home page here: https://hotdogprofitspremium.com/e-z-built-hot-dog-cart, however this program is designed for the guy or girl who has never built anything before. Most of these people don’t even know how to read a blueprint. This is why most of the instructions are contained in video format so they can just watch and do.
Just bring your phone with you. The whole program is compatible with mobile devices.
Just getting started I am doing all metal do I still need to remove a quarter inch from the bottom because I am going to use grating for the bottom of the floor also I am going to use diamond plate and screwing this to the body would you use the lite or heavier plate does this sound workable
do you use the 1/2 in. OSB board as the the floor?
That’s what I used because I had a sheet of it lying around. You could use plywood as well.
Ok thanks buying up materials now hopefully be under way in a couple weeks
Cool.
It sounds fine on my computer. The volume is a bit on the low side but I can hear it fine.
Has anybody undercoated the plywood/OSB base? Road splash could eventually deteriorate the wood, especially is wetter climates.
Not a bad idea, but I only painted mine. It’s almost four years old and still good as new. If you decide to undercoat it let us know what you think after it’s done.
Has anyone extended the floor beyond what you show here in order increase your working and storage area?
Yes, a lot of my customers have done exactly that Phillip. You can build the body longer and hang the extra length off the back of the trailer frame. The construction method used to build the body is so stiff and strong that you don’t need any additional support beyond the stock trailer frame. Here are some pics of customer carts built this way:
Hi threre,
Any idea where those flat top griddles can be purchased? Also are they NSF. In Colorado there require the cooking equipment to be NSF.
We recommend purchasing an additional two burner stove from Harbor Freight and putting a Griddle Q or Sizzle Q on top of the stove. Not sure if they are NSF. They are made by Little Griddle Outdoor Cookware. Here’s the link: http://www.littlegriddle.com
Thanks Steve, here in California we need a Refer on board so extending the body is helpful.
Yes. Mechanical refrigeration is a common requirement in Cali.
I’m in Cali also I was wondering what County you’re in that requires a refrigerator because I’m building mine and i was just wondering if I need one too
Daniel – CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL INSPECTOR BEFORE YOU START BUILDING. He will tell you what he wants on the cart in order to pass inspection.
At what point would be too far to extend the box over the frame in the back? I would think that you’d need to keep the center of gravity in front of the wheels.
Hi Todd,
Yes, you must make sure that the finished cart balances slightly tongue down. You can accomplish that by adding weight inside the front half of the cart body if necessary. If you do, make sure to secure the weight so it can’t shift while you are towing the cart.
The construction method used in the cart body is strong enough to allow for a couple of feet extending beyond the rear cross member of the trailer frame.
Thanks, Steve. Building my cart this month…….. YAY! 🙂
Awesome Todd. Be sure to send me some pics when you finish it!
So what is the time frame for most folks to build a cart? Just curious. I am on SSI and am going
to do this to spplement myself. So I have a I can work on it 8-10 hours a day to build.
Thanks,
Jeremiah
“Firehosue Dawgs”
I had one student who joined the membership on a Monday, started reading Carts of Cash, and got so excited that he booked a gig for Saturday. The problem was he didn’t have a cart yet. He busted his butt and built his E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart in three days!
Most folks take between one and three weeks working part time, about five or six days working full time.
Send me pics when you finish it Jeremiah!
How do you get the frame to lay over the bolts that hold the flooring down?
You need to drill holes in the underside of the frame members where they contact the bolt heads. Not all the way through, just deep enough to clear the bolts. An easy way to do this is to hold the frame member in place, then whack it with a hammer near each bolt head. The bolt head will leave a mark so you know where to drill.
what screws did you use to screw the wood together on the frame?
I used drywall screws. They are embedded in wood after the skins go on so no need to worry about corrosion. You could use galvanized screws if want to. It would be more expensive though.
and also what type and size bolts did you use for the platform?
I believe I used 3/8 galvanized bolts with lock washers and stop nuts (the kind with the plastic inside to keep them from loosening).
I would like to also add that here in Florida where we deal with moisture nearly everyday of the year, OSB is used as the second story walls and of course for all roofs in housing design, as well as the walls and floors of apartment buildings (I worked construction for a few years). The OSB is designed to expand with the weather changes; whereas, plywood (as a base) could splinter during weather changing. Just my $.02. Also when the wood is painted it should keep it well weather protected.
Thanks Ray. Good info!
I don’t have a question just wanted you to know that I have started to gather up parts for my cart. The kids have been out on spring break so they are helping or hindering I haven’t quite figured out which but it has been fun will send pics of my progress.
Thanks a lot for your help
Kenneth Taff
That reminds me of when I was a machinist apprentice many years ago. The foreman asked my lead man how long a job would take. The lead man replied, “Three hours by myself. If the apprentice helps me, six.”
Glad you like the course!
Steve , I had a sheet of 3/4 I. plywood that I used as the base and is that going to create a problem in the future construction of the cart?
Yes, plywood is perfectly fine for the floor. I used OSB as my floor because I already had some lying around, and because it doesn’t warp. Finding a flat piece of plywood at the lumber yard is getting harder and harder these days.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for making this program- it’s great. I do have a question about the dimensions of the OSB board base. Assuming the trailer is perfectly square, what should the length of the base be? The width is 39&3/4, is the length 47&1/2? I got into a situation where I bought a 4×8 ft board and had the lowes employee cut the board to 39&3/4. This left me with a base dimension of 39&3/4 inch width and a 48 inch length.
Thanks for your time,
Ethan
Hi Ethan. The floor is the same dimensions as your cart frame. Just measure your frame.
Minus a quarter inch on each side, right?
Right. The frame will be skinned with 1/4″ plywood and we want the outside of the cart body to be flush with the sides of the trailer frame.
#1 Yes, you won’t need most of the wood called for in the Bill of Materials. The rest of the parts will be applicable.
#2 Yes, we have some basic blueprints, and health department schematics on the E-Z Built home page here: https://hotdogprofitspremium.com/e-z-built-hot-dog-cart, however this program is designed for the guy or girl who has never built anything before. Most of these people don’t even know how to read a blueprint. This is why most of the instructions are contained in video format so they can just watch and do.
Just bring your phone with you. The whole program is compatible with mobile devices.
Hi Steve: The bolt fastening the board with trailer is 3″ or you said 3/8″; and the drill you used is also 3/8″?
Yes. You can drill the hole a little larger for clearance. 7/16″ drill would be fine.
Just getting started I am doing all metal do I still need to remove a quarter inch from the bottom because I am going to use grating for the bottom of the floor also I am going to use diamond plate and screwing this to the body would you use the lite or heavier plate does this sound workable
Hi Harley, yes that’s totally do-able. No, you shouldn’t have to remove that 1/4″. I would use the lite diamond plate. Still plenty strong.