Do you run a food truck and you are considering what type of vehicle model to use? If YES, here are 10 best vehicle models for food trucks & trailer.
When it comes to starting a food truck business, one of the areas you need to get right if indeed you want to maximize profits from the business is to get the most ideal vehicle model.
The truth is that a good and functional food truck will take away loads of stress from you and of course it will reduce your downtime to the barest minimum.
So, if you are looking towards starting a food truck business and you are looking for some of the best vehicle models to use, then you will find this article highly useful. Having said that, in no particular order, here are some of the best type of vehicle models to use for food truck business;
Best Type of Vehicle Model to Use for Food Truck
1. Citroen H
The Citroen H is no doubt one of the best types of vehicle models to use for a food truck business because aside from its ruggedness, it also has attractive outlook.
The unusual shape of the Citroen H, and its vintage look never fails to catch the eyes of pedestrians – and as a food truck business, you really need to stand out to bring in more customers.
Interestingly, you have the options to paint this food truck in specific colors, and revamp the interior by adding a drop-down hatch to make it the perfect food truck.
As a matter of fact, if you are looking for a fairly used but reliable and easy to services and maintain van to use for your food truck, then you should go for Citroen H.
2. Ford Transit Full-Size Van
Ford Transit Full-Size Van is known for its versatility and little wonder people who are into food truck business usually go for it.
Ford Transit Full-Size Van boasts of three available body lengths and of course with three available body lengths, two different wheelbases, and three roof heights, once converted to spec, most chefs would love to cook in a Transit Van.
It might interest you to know that Ford Transit Full – Size Van is ideal for hardcore cooks as well, considering it has 487.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity and plenty of space for grills, prep stations, and fridges.
It also has 81.5-inches of interior cargo height, so anyone under 6-foot-4 can comfortably stand upright in the cargo area to cook.
The Transit’s rear cargo doors swing open 270 degrees for loading and unloading, and there are countless configurations one can opt for straight from the dealer if racks, bins, or shelving units need to be installed.
Ford’s monolithic sliding doors are also a nice touch, as it eliminates the need to prop-up an awning once the vehicle is parked.
Please note that according to Ford, a basic Ford Transit Full – Size Van model starts at $29,735 and that in order to test reliability, “Transit durability test vehicles were driven more than 4.6 million miles, or far enough to circle the globe 185 times.”
3. Volkswagen Westfalia Bus
If you are operating on a shoe string budget, then one of your best options for you is to go for the Volkswagen Westfalia Bus vehicle model. Volkswagen Wesfalia Pop-Up Bus has proven to be handy for starters and of course very reliable although with limited space.
If you check online, you will come across a few of these vans going for well under $15,000, and considering that these iconic little machines offer a surprising amount of cooking space, converting one over to a food truck is easier than one might think.
Even though you will be limited with small space to operate, but once the screened top is lifted, a full-grown adult has ample room to prep food or wash their hands in the German-engineered bus’ built-in sink, and hidden storage compartments can be found all over the place on later models.
The attached awning also gives people the ability to cook outside, and we think this van would make a fantastic nomadic barbecue joint if a lightweight smoker could be trailered behind it and then pushed beneath the awning when it is time to grill.
4. Ford F-450 Cutaway
On the list of best type of vehicle model that can be used of a food truck is Ford F-450 Cutaway model. Interestingly, Ford actually gives people the ability to tailor – make this thing into a food truck on their website.
Technically it is not really a food truck per se since the automaker doesn’t give us the option to install sinks a deep fryer or refrigerators but at least there’s a solid starting point.
Please note that Ford F-450 Cutaway is a heavy duty truck and this heavy duty truck comes with a lot of mandatory kitchen necessities, like ample amounts of headroom, along with a legion of storage bins that already come pre-installed. It showcases a duo of massive rear doors that are perfect for selling food out of during lunchtime.
One very catchy feature on the Ford F-450 Cutaway is that it can be purchased with pre-installed back-up batteries, along with an air conditioning system designed to keep the cargo area cool when the orders start stacking up. External locking lockers also add value, and make for great stow spaces for disposable cutlery, plates, and back-up dry goods.
Although buying a brand – new F-450 Cutaway can be expensive for some entrepreneurs, but the good news is that you can get strong and reliable F-450 Cutaway from fairly used garages and you can get it for $20,000 or even less depending on your bargaining power.
5. Freightliner Sprinter Crew Van
Freightliner Sprinter Crew Van is yet another highly reliable though expensive vehicle model to use for food truck. Although, Freightliner Sprinter Crew Van may be a little bit expensive for started at $50,000, but once equipped with rear AC and heat, an extra auxiliary battery, and a slew of interior upgrades, the Freightliner Sprinter really has the potential to be a fantastic food truck.
With its elongated cargo hold, 76.4 inches of standing room, and giant windows that let plenty of natural light into the vehicle, it’s no wonder that this van made it onto the list.
Interestingly, another catchy feature to this vehicle model is its powertrain, because once outfitted with Mercedes-Benz’s 3.0-liter turbo diesel motor, owners are rewarded with a 7,500 pound towing capacity, making this van ideal for pulling things like a large pizza kiln, or a trailer laden with parasols and picnic tables.
6. Alexander-Dennis Enviro400 Tourist Bus
If you are coming into the food truck line business with pool of cash and you want to announce your presence with a bang, then Alexander-Dennis Enviro400 Tourist Bus is just the vehicle model that you need.
When it comes to seating arrangement, the Enviro400 Tourist Bus by Alexander-Dennis features 51 seats on the upper deck, and 29 more chairs in the lower area, with plenty of room for servers to maneuver down the aisle like grounded airplane flight stewards.
Once equipped with fold-out seatback tables, you can cruise, booze, and choose the best foods in America, all while getting a tour of a city.
Alexander-Dennis Enviro400 Tourist Bus is spacious and the lower deck comes standard with air conditioning, so chefs can stay cool when the heat is on.
Meanwhile, back up top, we suggest ditching the tour bus seats for custom benches along the perimeter and installing anchored chairs and tables in the center.
Toss a few parasols into the mix, along with a craft beer bar, a designated drop-spot for when it is time to dine, and some romantic lighting, and you now have the ultimate mobile date night.
7. Nissan NV2500 Cargo
Nissan NV2500 Cargo is yet another reliable and go to vehicle model for food truck business. With its V8-powered, 8,700 – pound towing, high – roofed tank of a taco cart.
This van features things like a full-width overhead storage console and eight exterior roof rack-mounting points for when it’s time to bring extras for a festival.
Nissan NV2500 Cargo also has 120 – volt electrical plugs in the front and rear of the cabin that can offer up to 400-watts of usable power a piece, and comes with a gargantuan center console that houses a locking storage compartment that can double as a safe.
Another eye catchy feature of Nissan NV2500 Cargo is the fold – down front passenger seat, which can be easily turned into a desk space.
If you are interested in buying Nissan NV2500 Cargo, then you should have a minimum of $29,650 for the high – roof version, the NV2500 is also surprisingly inexpensive, and with America’s best commercial van warranty covering you for five years or 100,000 miles and you can be rest assured that you will maximize this machine.
8. Vespa Ape
Last on the list of some of the best type of vehicle model to use for your food truck business is Vespa Ape. I must state that Vespa Ape is ideal for those who are interested in operating a mini food truck business.
If you want to just serve ice cream, coffee, sushi, snacks, gourmet and easy to prepare and serve food or drinks, then we will advise that you go for Vespa Ape.
Aside from the fact that you will be contending with a smaller space, it attracts low maintenance, low fueling and of course low amount to purchase this vehicle model (Vespa Ape).