As a cell meals vendor, the funding in a truck or trailer is the most important one-time enterprise expense you’ll make. Choosing the improper car can value appreciable time, cash, sanity, and even the viability of your online business if ongoing upkeep is just too excessive. This isn’t a choice to be taken flippantly!

At M&R Specialty Trailers and Vans, we perceive the warning indicators you’ll want to search for to guard your self from investing in a lemon. This put up may also help keep away from these pitfalls when evaluating the acquisition of a meals truck on an internet site like eBay, Craigslist, or every other impartial vendor.

The On-line Evaluation

The analysis of a potential meals truck doesn’t start with an on-site go to. It begins earlier than making contact with the vendor and evaluating the web itemizing.

By being selective on-line, you may rapidly filter by way of nearly all of low-grade automobiles and shady sellers. The primary warning signal is when a vendor supplies few blurry images of the car on-line or, in some circumstances, none in any respect. For a serious buy like a truck, a vendor ought to present extra than simply a few low-quality pictures with a disposable digicam. In a world the place everybody has an iPhone of their pocket, securing {a photograph} that gives an correct concept of the situation of the trailer is straightforward and requires little technical prowess.

Watch out when shopping for a used meals truck on-line.

Assuming the itemizing has handed the photograph verify, you’ll wish to examine the vendor profile extra in-depth. This feature will not be obtainable inside Craigslist, however it’s an choice when you’re taking a look at automobiles on eBay. Detailed vendor info could be discovered by choosing the Vendor Data hyperlink on the product itemizing of any merchandise on eBay.

Listed below are a few of the traits of a good vendor on eBay. All of this info is out there on eBay to potential consumers:

• Vendor has been a member of eBay for greater than 6 months. The longer a person has been energetic on eBay, the higher the possibilities that they’re all in favour of promoting long-term and never simply attempting to show a fast buck. They’ve obtained a fame to uphold.
• Vendor has a historical past of constructive critiques. eBay publishes any constructive and damaging suggestions from a vendor over the past 12 months. If you happen to discover a truck listed by somebody with quite a few dangerous critiques, it’s price staying away from this particular person.
• View the Detailed Vendor Ranking: This ranking will solely show for people which have offered 10 or extra objects on eBay. That is one other indicator of the trustworthiness of the vendor.

Sadly, web sites like Craigslist don’t supply this stage of safety as a result of extra nameless nature of the web site. Nonetheless, there are clues you may study to make sure the truck is price taking a look at in particular person. Sellers that take the time to offer the mileage on a car, the situation, checklist of any cooking tools (if relevant), and different candid car descriptions are indication you’re working with somebody respected.

In accordance with Richard Willis, the proprietor of MR-Trailers.com, “The vetting course of for a meals truck is essential. At all times guarantee the vendor is clear and supplies detailed details about the car. Lack of transparency generally is a main crimson flag.”

Assuming the itemizing passes the web check, it’s time to schedule an on-site go to to judge the truck. To take advantage of the go to, we advocate following the rules under and asking particular probing questions in regards to the historical past of the car.

Convey a Mechanic

If you happen to don’t contemplate your self to be mechanically inclined, it pays to convey knowledgeable mechanic alongside for the trip even when you’ll want to compensate them for the time. If you happen to’ve obtained a keen good friend that may come alongside without cost, even higher! Having somebody educated that may examine the engine, tires, and inside of the car can forestall you from making a 5-figure mistake that you just’ll should dwell with for the following few years.

Even when you resolve to make a suggestion on the truck, bringing a mechanic can even assist your negotiating place. Having somebody who can communicate from a place of authority in regards to the high quality of the engine and potential objects that may have to be mounted within the close to future may knock a number of hundred or a number of thousand {dollars} off the asking worth.

Ask the Proper Questions

Being ready to ask the proper questions on a meals truck is likely one of the finest methods to guard your self. One query we at all times advocate discovering out is the place the car got here from. If the truck originated from a fleet of automobiles comparable to FedEx or a postal service car, you could be extra assured the car was maintained nicely over its life. That is, after all, the best situation.

In actuality, the person you’re buying from a Craigslist advert might need little or no data of its historical past. That doesn’t imply it’s a foul car per se, nevertheless it does elevate questions in regards to the earlier care of the car and enhance the worth of a mechanic. Keep in mind, a meals truck will probably be greater than only a car to get you from level A to level B. Your residing will rely upon with the ability to serve meals throughout the town, so ensure to do your due diligence.

Know What You Want Earlier than Procuring Round

This may occasionally sound apparent, however you’d be shocked how many individuals get this improper. Earlier than you even contemplate buying a meals truck or trailer, you’ll want to ensure it’s the proper dimension to suit your wants. For instance, something lower than 7 toes in peak throughout the kitchen space will make it extraordinarily tough to put in cooking tools.

Additionally, the scale necessities for tools on a espresso truck versus a pizza truck will range significantly. Backside line, be sure to’ve constructed out a listing of kit and have a good suggestion of how a lot area you’ll want earlier than you begin trying into the acquisition of a car. Don’t make the error of shopping for a truck first and making an tools checklist later.

Know what you want in a meals truck.

Perceive Native Well being Code Legal guidelines

One other important issue to think about is realizing the native well being code legal guidelines in your space. For instance, most locations require a 3-compartment sink to fulfill sanitation requirements. Understanding what you’ll want to move a well being code inspection earlier than you buy the unit is important so you may estimate how a lot you’ll want to speculate after shopping for the unit. This additionally applies to the tools you’ll want to put in and buy. Be certain that the truck or trailer can accommodate all mandatory tools to adjust to native rules.

In abstract, buying a meals truck or trailer is a major funding that requires cautious consideration and thorough vetting. By following these pointers and guaranteeing you meet all native well being code necessities, you can also make a extra knowledgeable choice and set your cell meals enterprise up for fulfillment.

If you happen to need assistance discovering a high-quality used meals truck, we encourage you to give us a call. Over time at M&R Specialty Trailers and Vans we’ve developed relationships with people that work with truck fleets and are capable of find automobiles which were appropriately cared for by their earlier proprietor. And when you do find yourself buying a car on-line, we may also assist modify and customise the truck so it’s street prepared!