Top 5 Things to Look for When Buying a Concession Trailer

Waiting for customers

You’ve decided to purchase a concession trailer – great! In order to make this purchase well worth it, there are a few things to know and be well-versed on. You can trust the staff here at Country Blacksmith Trailers to support you through each step of the buying process, and they’re always ready to answer any questions you have.

Here are a few things to look for when shopping for a concession trailer!

Your Budget Matters

How much you want to spend upfront on a trailer depends on what kind of trailer you’ll be browsing for. Think of a clear budget and stick to it. Once you have a range in mind, it’ll be easier to knock out any trailers with fancy bells and whistles because they’re simply out of your budget. It’s great to arm yourself with this information so you don’t waste time considering any that are too expensive.

New or Used?

Once you settle on a budget, you’ll need to decide if you want to buy a used trailer or a new one. Can’t decide? There are pros and cons to both.

If you choose a new trailer, you’ll be backed by its warranty. And, they’re in near-perfect shape. You won’t have as high of a chance for a breakdown, maintenance issue or system failure. Expect to pay a bit more for a new trailer, of course.

Used trailers, however, are often much more affordable. You can compare them online to see where you’ll get the best deal. Buying used will save you a ton of cash up front, but be careful. Some used trailers are covered with maintenance problems, so be sure you ask for a list of everything that’s been fixed on it maintenance wise.

Food Cart

Storage Capacity and Capabilities

Now that you’ve decided on your budget and whether you’re buying new or used, it’s time to look at the actual trailer. To ensure enough storage space, you should ask yourself a few questions:

  • What kinds of food am I selling?
  • Will I need any special storage, like refrigeration or freezer storage?
  • How many customers do I expect to feed?

So, looking at how much storage space a trailer has compared to how much space you anticipate needing is important to a successful concession stand business.

Power and Plumbing

These two aspects are huge and really cannot be overlooked! For power, think about all the equipment you’ll have in the trailer and whether or not the trailer in question has the right outlets to power them. If so, does the circuit board have enough energy to power everything, at the same time, on the busiest day? It’s not a bad idea to ensure the board can handle even more than that. You might also want to consider investing in a good generator. If you plan to travel, your energy sources can be inconsistent. A generator will be a reliable source of power – regardless of whether you plan to travel or not

When it comes to plumbing in a concession trailer, you’ll learn it’s actually required to have some sort of water supply. You’ll need at least one sink for hand washing and a set of three sinks for cleaning and sanitizing any dishes or appliances. You’ll also need a fresh water tank, a waste water tank and a hot water tank. Make sure the trailer comes with all of these or has the room for these to be installed.

Construction, Materials and Durability

Because you’ll be handling food, the materials your trailer is made from is a bit different than any other trailer. Food-grade stainless steel is always a great option for surfaces that food will touch. It’s sanitary, easy to clean and can handle the harshness of a daily food business.

For the walls, ceiling and flooring, think about how messy your food prep will be. If grease will be splattering constantly, you’ll want to steer clear of vinyl or any slippery flooring.

There’s a lot to consider when you’ve decided to buy a concession trailer. Put time and dedication into these decisions, and you’ll find a trailer that will help you create a killer concession stand business.

Have a concession trailer of your own? Let us know about it in the comments!