What to Look for When Buying a Concession Trailer

With the food truck scene really taking off, it's no wonder the demand for these trailers has increased. Maybe you've been thinking of starting your own mobile concession stand or food truck? But first thing's first--you'll need a quality built trailer that can be outfitted to your specific needs.

Before you start browsing online or shopping around the lots for your concession trailer, read the following tips so you'll know what to look for (and what to avoid.)

1. Pricing

Budget is often the first and foremost thing on any trailer customer's mind. It is especially important to set a budget and stick to it when shopping for a trailer that will be supporting a business. Remember, the shopping around process can get overwhelming, so if you start out with a clear price range in mind, it will help narrow the selection process.

Also keep in mind that some trailers that are larger or loaded with customized features may be out of your price range. The main thing is to find something that has what you need--there's no sense in paying an arm and a leg for a bunch of bells and whistles that won't add anything of value to your particular vision. This is just one reason why custom-built trailers are usually a great value.

2. Consider Style and Layout

Depending on what you'll be serving out of your food truck/concession stand, a particular layout may be more or less beneficial. Concession trailers can come in several different styles, including v-nose, trolley and gooseneck. It might be wise to research these different styles ahead of time and determine which will work best for your needs.

Concession trailers/food trucks can also vary in how they are designed and constructed based on what the owner will be serving out of them. For instance, a mobile bakery may have very different needs than a wood-fired pizza trailer or smoked barbecue truck. Once you know what you want to serve, speak with a custom trailer professional to determine the best layout and design features.

3. Storage Needs

One of the greatest challenges of planning to do business out of a food truck or concession stand is trying to calculate storage needs. Depending on the type of food/beverages you'll be serving, you may have different storage requirements. For example, will you need to have refrigeration? Cabinet space?  Drawers? Most like you will need at least some of these features. 

The next challenge is to determine how to arrange these storage features. This is where it will be important to work with an experienced, skilled trailer designer. As opposed to buying a ready-made trailer off the lot, it can be much more beneficial to work with a custom builder to outfit the type of concession trailer you need and avoid getting stuck with a so-called "bargain" that doesn't meet your needs. It could wind up costing you more in the long run.

Concession Trailers from The Trailer Showroom

Want to learn more about the concession trailers offered by The Trailer Showroom? Connect with us online or give us a call at 1-877-45-TRAILER (1-877-453-4836) to discuss your vision and we'll do our absolute best to make it become a reality!