What do I need to know before buying a food truck

Posted by Damian Roberti on July 29, 2022

What do I need to know before buying a food truck

If you've given some thought to opening a food truck business, the likelihood is high that you've already done some research on available trucks. It can be challenging to decide which automobile is ideal for your food truck. Because there are so many different brands and models, it can be difficult to know what to look for in order to find something that is suitable for the requirements of your mobile food business.

Having said that, there is one category of automobile that you should probably consider more than others, and that is the step van. You should look into it. These trucks are perhaps the most popular choice of vehicle among owners of food trucks, and there is a good reason for this popularity.

But what are step vans? And what makes them the ideal choice for use as mobile restaurants? Your friends at FLIP are, fortunately, available right now to respond to any questions you might have. Let's get started.

Why are step vans the ideal choice for food trucks in today's market?

There is a good chance that you are familiar with a step van if you have ever seen a food truck. Step vans are light-to-medium-duty vehicles that are typically used for making local deliveries. These vans are also sometimes referred to as "bread trucks" or "multi-stop trucks." In point of fact, for the past half-century and a half, UPS and FedEx have relied almost entirely on step vans to transport and deliver packages.

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What do I need to know before buying a food truck

Step vans have been put to use for a number of different applications over the years; however, in recent years, they have gained popularity as the optimal vehicles for food trucks. Why? When you put it that way, you have to admit that they are an excellent choice for the position.

Step vans are tall enough for passengers to stand up inside of them, and they have ample space in the back for storing food preparation supplies. They are lower to the ground than other trucks, which makes it much easier to enter the vehicle and communicate with customers. In addition, they are more comfortable to ride in.

Because step vans are available in a wide range of sizes, with cargo areas that can be as long as 30 feet in length, it is likely that you will be able to find a step van that is suitable for your business regardless of the type of food that you intend to serve. Remember that the longer the truck is, the more likely it is that it will be involved in an accident or that it will cause one, so make sure to choose wisely when looking for the best truck to meet your requirements!

What do I need to know before buying a food truck

Where can one acquire a step van for use as a food truck?

The fact that there is such a large supply of step vans is one more reason why these vans are the ideal choice for conversion into food trucks. This makes it simple to locate a truck in your immediate area that is offered at a price that is reasonable.

There are a variety of stores and online retailers from which you can choose a step van of sufficient quality, depending on your needs. Unfortunately, UPS does not resell their older delivery vehicles, so if you are interested in purchasing a truck that has not been modified in any way, you will need to check with the truck dealers in your area. There are many online marketplaces, such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace, where you can occasionally find good deals on high-quality step vans. Among these online marketplaces, you can find step vans that are reasonably priced.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a step van that has already been modified in the way that is required for it to become a food truck, you may have a more difficult time finding a vehicle that meets the requirements of your food business. There are businesses that specialize in the sale of pre-manufactured food trucks; however, despite their high level of craftsmanship, these vehicles tend to be quite expensive.

What do I need to know before buying a food truck

Before you commit to buying a step van, there are a few things you need to think about first, and this is true regardless of where you look for one. These are things that go beyond the typical information about vehicles, such as price, mileage, and so on. When it comes to customizing the truck to meet the requirements of your company, this action on your part can, in the long run, save you both time and money.

Producing both Chassis and Bodies are These Manufacturers

In the vast majority of step vans, the chassis (or frame) and the body of the truck are constructed by different manufacturers. This is significant because it is possible that the manufacturer who constructed the body of your truck was not also responsible for the construction of the chassis.

Truck Length

It is essential to remember, when looking at step vans, that length only refers to the cargo area within the truck (just the inside), and not the total length of the vehicle as a whole (bumper to bumper).

Carrying Potential or Capacity

The maximum load that can be hauled by each truck is unique. This is known as the gross vehicle weight, abbreviated as GVW for short. When searching for the best step vans for your food truck, it is important to have a good idea of how much your equipment weighs so that you don't overburden or damage your vehicle. This will prevent you from overburdening your vehicle.

What do I need to know before buying a food truck

Backdoor Design

The back door of your food truck design can be the deciding factor in whether or not it is successful. The interior height of your truck could be decreased as a result of the installation of a sliding door, which would also restrict the placement of certain pieces of equipment. Find a truck that already has swinging doors installed if at all possible; this will save you both time and money when it comes to making modifications.

MAKES & MODELS OF 3 STEP VAN

When it comes to selecting the best vehicle for your food truck, there are literally dozens of different makes and models from which you can choose. However, there are a few of the most popular makes and models that you can use as a jumping off point as you begin your search. You can use these as a guide to narrow down your options.

Chevrolet P30

When you are looking for a vehicle to use as your food truck, the Chevy P30 is a good place to begin your search. These trucks are easy to find because they are one of the most common models of step vans. Perhaps more importantly, they are simple to convert and it is not difficult to find replacement parts for them. They have interior lengths of 14, 16, and 18 feet, and their gross vehicle weight capacities range from 10,000 to 16,000 pounds.

Chevrolet also manufactured a larger and heavier step van known as the P60. Its lengths range from 18 to 24 feet, and its gross vehicle weight capacity is 23,000 pounds. If the strength of your food truck is an issue, this model can help.

What do I need to know before buying a food truck

Freightliner MT45

The Freightliner MT45 is yet another well-liked model of food truck vehicle. It has a GVW of 19,000 pounds and is available in lengths of 16 and 18 feet. Because it is technically considered to be a medium-duty truck, it is one of the most suitable vehicles for use as a food truck if your enterprise requires a significant amount of apparatus and storage space.

The MT35 and the MT55, both of which are manufactured by Freightliner and come in lengths ranging from 14 to 18–24 feet, are two additional step vans that are produced by the company that are excellent choices for food trucks.

Ford P700

If your company requires a vehicle that can adapt to a variety of situations, the Ford P700 is your best option. This step van has an interior length of only 14 feet, so it is not the most spacious option available; however, the truck's maneuverability and gross vehicle weight capacity of 14,000 pounds make it an option worth considering. In addition to this, Ford continues to produce these models, which makes parts for them readily available and repairs simple.

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