Texas trucker hauls world's largest mobile barbecue smoker

The rig is 76-foot long, and weighs 80,000 lbs. Terry Folsom said the barbecue grill/pit trailer is the largest mobile smoker in the world. The custom-made trailer was built in 2000, has 24 smoking compartments and a firebox in the shape of the state of Texas at the rear. less The rig is 76-foot long, and weighs 80,000 lbs. Terry Folsom said the barbecue grill/pit trailer is the largest mobile smoker in the world. The custom-made trailer was built in 2000, has 24 smoking ... more Photo: Terry Folsom Photo: Terry Folsom Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Texas trucker hauls world's largest mobile barbecue smoker 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

When you hear someone talking about seeing smokey on the highway, you presume they saw a cop. But they might be actually be talking about Terry Folsom's 18-wheeler meat smoker.

The rig is 76-foot long, and weighs 40 tons. Folsom said the barbecue grill/pit trailer is the largest mobile smoker in the world. The custom-made trailer was built in 2000, has 24 smoking compartments and a firebox in the shape of the state of Texas at the rear.

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Folsom, who is based in Brenham, said he bought the 18-wheeler smoker about seven years ago from a world champion BBQ pitmaster who fell on hard times.

"It takes a special escort to haul down the highway," Folsom said. Folsom said typically the orgainzation he is working with will hire a wrecker to haul the pit.

The smoker is obviously the envy of most backyard grillers. It was recently featured in a YouTube episode of "Ridiculous Rides."

The big rig BBQ pit can cook 8,000 to 12,000 pounds of meat at a time, enough for thousands of hungry folks. Folsom said he uses it only for charity. He has used it to help the Salvation Army in Galveston and for Hurricane Harvey relief.

"It's rewarding to see people happy. I'm glad to help people. It's not an ego thing."

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Folsom said he would like to do some grilling to help out some Houston charities, like MD Anderson or Texas Children's Hospital. He said anyone interested in contacting him can check out his Facebook page, or email him at aclasscarriers@gmail.com.

Danny Hermosillo is the Sr. Digital News Editor for Chron.com | Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @Dannyherm1| Email him at Danny.Hermosillo@chron.com