Do you want to launch a food truck? Here are the models sellers who prefer – Jalopnik

From 2023 there were 36,000 food trucks in the US, which are many street tacos, Churros and IJsandwiches. If you want to start one, you probably already have an idea about what kind of food you will serve. Maybe you have chosen a funky name for your company, but do you think about the model of your food truck? That is an important decision, because the vehicle itself will serve as your restaurant on wheels.

The kind of food truck that we have noticed the most is staple vans. This is the type of truck that you probably imagine when you are hungry for your favorite gastronomic hamburger that you can buy from a stranger in a van. Step vans are perfect for food sellers with a wide range of menu items. They are large and boxy, with sufficient space for equipment and food preparation surfaces. The models that we see the most are Chevy P30, Freightliner MT45 and Ford P700. If you have a smaller menu in mind, you might think of getting a budget-friendly loading van, such as the RAM-Promaster of Ford Transit, which is so versatile, it is used for everything, from camper buses to food trucks. A food trailer is also an option.

Maybe you have great ambitions and you dream of selling a wide range of gastronomic hamburgers from your truck, then you need a lot of space for equipment and food preparation. Step vans are often preferred by suppliers with long menus, mainly for space. These trucks have enough space to install a stove, a deep fryer, cooling and storage, with room enough for a few people to walk around. Unfortunately, some of us have lived in apartments with fewer square meters.

The Chevy P30 is the model that we see most often mentioned by people in the industry. “P30” is actually the name of the chassis on which the truck was built, and Chevy stopped building it in 1999. But you can still find many used P30 steps buses for sale. If you want a newer equivalent, Workhouse took over Chevy Chassis -Business from Chevy and started their own “W” series, where the W62 was a popular step bus model.

Workhorse, however, now focuses on building electrically driven chassis instead of gas models. The Freightliner MT45 and Ford P700 are two other popular models. These vehicles can go all the way to 30 feet long and will return you from $ 30,000 to more than $ 100,000, if you buy new. Used models will cost considerably less, and it is not difficult to find one that does not have many kilometers on it.

Do you need a spacious stormbox? Perhaps you are planning, for example, to start your own mobile version of Starbucks. That espresso machine is not going to take up much space. The same applies to ice wagons. You usually pull an item from a small deep freezer.

So if you have a modest menu in mind, you probably want to consider a freight bus. Their smaller size makes them much easier to park than a step, especially in a busy district in the city center. Freight buses such as the Ford Transit and RAM -Promaster can be more affordable depending on the model. A new Ford Transit costs around $ 46,000, while the RAM promotion is sold for around $ 44,000. The recently stopped Nissan NV -Vrachtbus may cost you less than $ 30,000 if you can find one. Used versions of these models cost even less. The Mercedes Sprinter bus is always an option, but not cheap, because it starts around $ 50,000. However, there is an EV version of the Mercedes sprinter, which must save on fuel costs.

Standard freight cans vary from 15 to 20 feet long, with freight capacity of 200 to 500 feet. You can get extensive versions that are 22 feet long. You want a high roof version, especially if you are long. The height of a standard freight bus usually dives at 6.5 feet, in contrast to 7 or 8 feet in a high roof can.

Depending on your needs, you might think about getting a trailer instead of a truck. Do you need special equipment such as a barbecue poker? That is difficult to fit at the end of a van, so some suppliers choose trailers instead of trucks. There are other advantages to having a trailer instead of a truck. Firstly, your company does not have to stop because your vehicle is in the store. And larger trailers have more interior space than even step buses, because there is no cabin.

A trailer is cheaper than a truck and can be a more economic choice if you already have a vehicle that can handle a trailer. A popular brand, Diamond Cargo Trailers, can cost less than $ 6,000 when on the small side. They even have a 24-footer for less than $ 8,000.

Of course, if you thought it is trying to maneuver a step bus through the center of city traffic, wait until you try to do it with a 20-foot trailer behind you. Before you decide to look for a trailer, you must find out where you want to operate your company. Some locations have enough space for a towing vehicle and trailer, but not many. And keep in mind that if you have never done it before, there is a learning curve when it comes to a backup of a trailer.

Are you still not sure what kind of food truck you should get, or if you might have to get a trailer? It is understandable, but it comes down to three things: menu, location and budget. Your menu determines the equipment you need and how much space you need for food preparation and storage. If you need an oven, hood, prep counter, deep fryer and other equipment, then you probably want a step bus, such as a Chevy P30 or Freightliner MT45 or a large trailer. If your equipment exists almost one machine, such as a soft-serving ice machine, or if you just mix smoothies, a Ford Transit or RAM Promaster Cargo bus should do. For special equipment such as a smoker or pizza oven, think about choosing a trailer.

The right place is everything when it comes to the success of a company. If the place you have chosen has a lot of space, then you are ready to go a storm can or trailer. If parking there is tight, you may need to scale up your menu so that you can use a freight can. And then there are finances. What if you have Step van Dreams, but not a step from budget? Everyone has to start somewhere. You could start with a small trailer or used freight can and a modest menu, but that does not mean that you are where you end up. By the way, if you just throw a wide enough, you might find a soft used step bus at a great price.