After 20+ years of constructing espresso vehicles, BBQ trailers, burger vehicles, Thai meals vehicles, and extra, I’ve realized a number of issues about what it takes to create a meals truck that lasts. My job isn’t simply to get a accomplished truck: it’s to arrange a kitchen that works, day in and day trip, in a few of the hardest situations on the market. Whereas discovering a meals truck builder might sound simple, discovering the precise one requires extra than simply selecting somebody based mostly on value or comfort.
Earlier than you decide on a builder, there are some key questions try to be asking to ensure they’re the precise match on your wants.
Essential Inquiries to Ask a Builder
Whenever you begin narrowing down your choices, I like to recommend reaching out to not less than three previous clients of every builder. Listed here are some essential inquiries to ask:
- How nicely was the job carried out in comparison with your expectations?
Did the ultimate product reside as much as what the builder promised? Was the standard pretty much as good as marketed? - How has the tools held up over time?
That is key. Meals vehicles undergo numerous put on and tear, and it is advisable to know if the tools goes to carry up underneath common use. Have there been breakdowns? How lengthy did the tools final earlier than needing repairs or substitute? - How was the service, each throughout and after the construct?
An ideal builder doesn’t simply disappear after the truck is completed. Did they provide assist afterward? Had been they useful with repairs or points? - Was all of it value it for the value?
After the whole lot was mentioned and carried out, did the client really feel like they obtained their cash’s value? Or had been there surprising additional prices and charges alongside the best way?
Getting solutions to those questions will assist you determine if a builder is value your money and time. And together with your solutions in hand, you can begin making choices, narrowing down your choices to discover a builder who matches your wants and finances. In case you are all in favour of discovering out what it takes to construct a meals truck, try this put up that explains the Reader’s Digest model of the method.
Constructed by M&R Specialty Trailers and Vehicles.
1. Expertise Issues (And We’ve Bought It)
Whenever you’re investing tens of hundreds of {dollars} right into a meals truck, you don’t wish to take an opportunity on somebody who’s nonetheless studying the ropes. Constructing a meals truck isn’t nearly becoming tools inside a car—it’s about bringing collectively a number of specialised ability units to design an area that works effectively, operates safely, and passes all required inspections.
A correct meals truck construct requires experience in plumbing, electrical wiring, tools set up, and understanding well being codes. These aren’t areas the place you may afford errors. For instance, the plumbing in a meals truck must be set as much as deal with fixed water use, guarantee correct drainage, and meet native well being division laws for sanitation. The identical goes for the electrical methods—your truck must be wired to deal with industrial kitchen tools with out overloading circuits, which is why you want somebody who is aware of methods to safely join mills, shore energy, and electrical panels.
Past the mechanics, there’s additionally the difficulty of apparatus set up. Industrial-grade home equipment like fryers, fridges, and grills should be securely mounted, safely ventilated, and put in in a means that makes your kitchen purposeful and environment friendly. In the event that they’re not correctly put in, you threat not solely shedding effectivity but in addition creating security hazards.
BBQ Trailer constructed by M&R Specialty Trailers and Vehicles.
Lastly, and most significantly, the whole lot inside your truck must be constructed to move a well being inspection. Native well being departments have strict pointers on issues like meals storage, kitchen structure, and water methods. The very last thing you wish to do is purchase a meals truck that appears nice on the skin however can’t legally function as a result of it doesn’t meet these laws. In case your truck doesn’t move inspection, you might be shut down earlier than you even get began.
Over the past 20 years, we’ve constructed a wide range of vehicles and trailers, every with its personal particular necessities and challenges. We’ve seen all of it, from BBQ trailers to espresso vehicles, and we’ve mastered the artwork of balancing these totally different parts to create vehicles that perform seamlessly. That’s why we provide free design blueprints to every potential buyer. It’s vital so that you can know precisely what you’re getting earlier than we begin the construct course of. These blueprints present each element of the kitchen structure and tools placement, so you may really feel assured that your truck is not going to solely look nice however function effectively and move all inspections.
2. Customization: Not All Builders Are Created Equal
One of many issues that units us aside is our means to work with used vehicles. Many builders on the market are solely snug working with brand-new models. However we’ve realized that there’s numerous worth in sourcing or refurbishing high quality used vehicles—particularly whenever you’re making an attempt to stay to a finances with out sacrificing high quality. Whether or not you convey us a truck you already personal, otherwise you need assistance discovering a dependable used unit, we will make it work.
This flexibility is one thing you received’t discover with each builder, and it’s one of many causes our clients maintain coming again. In spite of everything, having extra choices means you may make higher choices for your small business.
3. Watch out for Low-cost Builders
Right here’s the onerous fact: you get what you pay for. I’ve seen builders quote rock-bottom costs solely to make use of substandard supplies or skip vital steps within the constructing course of. Possibly they’re utilizing weaker metal or low cost electrical parts. Or perhaps they’re reducing corners by following a one-size-fits-all blueprint as an alternative of customizing the truck to your wants. I’ve seen firms add one other $10,000 – $20,000 halfway by the construct course of. This isn’t the precise method to do enterprise.
The very last thing you need is a truck that appears nice on the skin however falls aside when you begin utilizing it. We’ve had clients come to us after unhealthy experiences with cheaper builders, and sadly, fixing another person’s errors may be dearer than doing it proper the primary time.
4. Transparency and Honesty: No Hidden Prices
One of many shadiest ways we’ve seen within the trade is builders who quote one value after which hit you with shock prices after they’ve began the job. I’ve seen firms add one other $10,000 – $20,000 in the midst of the construct course of. That is dishonest and it’s simply unhealthy enterprise.
That is why we make investments a lot time upfront in planning and design. We wish to offer you an correct quote based mostly in your actual wants, so there aren’t any surprises down the highway. Whenever you work with us, what you see is what you get.
Discover a associate on your construct out.
5. Analysis the Builder’s Status
Earlier than you decide, take the time to analysis the builder’s monitor document. Attain out to different meals truck homeowners or do a fast Google seek for evaluations. A very good builder ought to have a historical past of profitable builds and happy clients, and when you can’t discover any proof of that, it’s a crimson flag.
Ask the vital questions: How did their vehicles maintain up over time? Was the tools dependable? How was the customer support—each throughout and after the construct? These insights could make or break your resolution.
BBQ trailer construct.
6. Meals Truck Wraps
It’s straightforward to make any meals truck look good on the skin. A phenomenal truck wrap, shiny paint job, and attention-grabbing design are all a part of your model’s picture—they usually’re vital for attracting clients. However right here’s the reality: any builder could make a truck look good. That doesn’t imply it’s going to run correctly or maintain up in the long term.
Meals truck builders typically exhibit these smooth designs to attract in clients, however the wrap is simply the floor. What actually issues is what’s happening beneath the floor. You’ll be able to have the best-looking truck on the town, but when the plumbing, electrical, or kitchen tools isn’t correctly put in, you’ll be going through fixed downtime, costly repairs, and potential security hazards.
Within the meals truck enterprise, your truck is your livelihood. It’s a cell restaurant that has to deal with lengthy hours of cooking, driving, and put on and tear. An ideal exterior wrap isn’t going to assist in case your fryer doesn’t work or your refrigeration fails in the midst of a lunch rush. That’s why we deal with constructing vehicles that aren’t simply stunning—they’re constructed to final.
Last Ideas: Discover the Proper Builder for You
On the finish of the day, your meals truck is an funding in your future. Don’t accept a builder simply because they’re native or providing the bottom value. Do your analysis, ask powerful questions, and ensure the builder you select is the precise match on your wants.
In the event you’re all in favour of studying extra about what goes into constructing a top quality meals truck, be happy to contact us. We’re glad to share our blueprints, give recommendation on used vehicles, or assist you design the proper kitchen setup. We’ve constructed tons of of vehicles through the years, and we’d love to assist construct yours subsequent.
Prolonged Studying
View Our Previous Builds – See examples of our previous meals truck builds, together with value of every particular kind of auto.
