concession trailer help

[fat heads bbq]

Hi my name is Mike. I live in NC. I finally have enough funds :pray: to purchase a small concession trailer for the spring. I would love to hear from people about
their experiences when they purchased their trailers. I could use any and all
suggestions about setup, and dealers, equipment, etc. Thanks.

[Pyle's BBQ]

We need some more information. What do you plan on selling? How many event or where do you plan on selling your product? Do you need a commercial kitchen or just somewhere to sell? O you have a business plan? That is just a start.

[HBMTN]

Trailer and equipment budget info helps also if you don't mind sharing.

[fat heads bbq]

Here are some answers to the questions asked. not a very fast typer so forgive me if I don't have a lot of detail. this took me forever.

Q: What do I plan on selling?
A: Basics, Pulled pork, Chicken qtrs/halves. I think those are the easiest to start with. I can always do ribs and brisket if there is a demand for it. would like to do home made sides. Again basics coleslaw, pot salad, beans, hush puppies etc.

Q: How many events or where am I planning to sell?
A: Local festivals, flea markets, road side, micro breweries, office complex. Places alike.
This would just be a weekend thing. Fridays and Saturdays to start. Regular job M-Th.

Q: Do you need a commercial kitchen?
A: Yes. But I have this covered. Friend owns a restaurant. And will help.

Q: Do I have a business plan?
A: No. I will work on that with help from another friend of mine.

Q: Trailer and equipment budget?
A: 15k-18k

[HBMTN]

You can get a starter 7x16ft trailer new for around 15K provided you already have a smoker this would leave you 3k for refrigerator and steam table. That is barely enough to get sandwiches sold but it can work provided you put everything back into the business to get everything you need.

[fat heads bbq]

HBMTN how do you like your FEC 120?

[HBMTN]

HBMTN how do you like your FEC 120?

So far yes, I have only had it a few months and have been working through kinks and adjustments. I have an extensive thread going here- http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174683 showing my pro's/cons/issues. It's seems to be getting better with time and I am tweaking on a few tricks to get smoke the way I want. The real test will come when I load it down which I have yet to do. I cooked some righteous BBQ on it last night that I would have been happy to enter in a competition.

[stokestackbbq]

I bought a concession trailer a year ago. I wish I had the opportunity to rebuild it. My suggestions:

-Buy as big of a trailer as you can afford. You'll wish you had more space later. Mine is 22' (8' porch) and I would kill for another 4 feet in there.
-Buy as big of a cooker as you can afford! I bought a cadillac cooker 36x72 but I REALLY should have got the next size up, with the stacked rotisserie racks. Effectively doubles the space and only takes up an extra 1' of the length of the trailer. (I highly recommend this brand, and they are pretty reasonably priced)
-Have the manufacturer rough in the wiring for every piece of equipment you may put in down the line (your budget probably won't permit everything going in at the start). Range hood, AC, cooker on the back, hot water heater, water pump, etc. Also rough in all the propane lines to the equipment.
-Put in 1 door only, to the porch of the trailer. I wish I could get the space back where I put in my 2nd door.
-Get the proper sliding glass window instead of the pop-up one. You can forget about heat / ac with that damn thing.

I got mine from Freedom Trailers through Cole's RV. The dealer was a nightmare, I wouldn't use 'em. The trailer from Freedom showed very poor craftsmanship, but they were the lowest bidder. I hear diamond trailers (also south georgia) has a solid warranty.

[Smokin'Butts]

As far as trailers are concerned, I started with just a plain 7x14 tandem axle. No electricity, no water, you get the point. I did have rubber tread plate put down on the floor and the walls and ceiling lined with white metal liners. The whole point of mentioning that was this, I got mine from Diamond Cargo Outlets in S. Ga. I had the trailer built to the 6'9" height. They do it a little different. Most diamond brand trailers come in at 6'0" interior, but Diamond Cargo Outlets come at 6'3". So I added 6" to take me to 6'9". When diamond got the order they just added 6" to there normal which would put the total at 6'6". So I got there to pick it up and it was too short. UGH! After a 4 hour drive I was not happy! BUT, I immediately noticed it, told the manager there. They built me a new one in less than a week, made it 7' interior height(instead of the 6'9") and delivered! They made it right and the quality is great.

[danno79]

I am not sure what the local laws are like where you are, but I had to get a peddler's permit, a grocery permit (witch allowed me to store food in my home freezer's etc.), a surety bond, not to mention liability insurance.

[Jeff Therrell]

I have a 24' trailer with a 7' back porch with smoker on it. fully equipped with smoker, 36" flat top, fryer, Hatco 3 drawer warmer, refrigerated sandwich unit, freezer, refrigerator, exhaust hood, and sink. We are opening a restaurant in Mooresville NC and have this trailer for sale. It is inspected and has a grade.
Jeff Therrell
828-493-5056

[kurtsara]

I have a 24' trailer with a 7' back porch with smoker on it. fully equipped with smoker, 36" flat top, fryer, Hatco 3 drawer warmer, refrigerated sandwich unit, freezer, refrigerator, exhaust hood, and sink. We are opening a restaurant in Mooresville NC and have this trailer for sale. It is inspected and has a grade.
Jeff Therrell
828-493-5056

What is a grade?

Do you have a link for a add?

[SigSauerNY]

I have been contemplating a trailer for a while, and every time I get started its turns from 15-18k to 35/40k

if anyone has a trailer company that makes a reliable well built trailer and has the ability to outfit the trailer with sinks, exhaust, equipment, and maybe some other items for a added fee I would greatly appreciate the lead.

sorry to cut in, thanks.

[Jeff Therrell]

What is a grade?

Do you have a link for a add?

It has a sanitation grade from the health dept. In North Carolina if you roadside vend you are inspected just like a restaurant, you just don't have to have 3 sinks. You have to have 1 sink and a handwash sink. I don't have an add, just decided to sell.
Thanks, Jeff

[Jeff Therrell]

I have been contemplating a trailer for a while, and every time I get started its turns from 15-18k to 35/40k

if anyone has a trailer company that makes a reliable well built trailer and has the ability to outfit the trailer with sinks, exhaust, equipment, and maybe some other items for a added fee I would greatly appreciate the lead.

sorry to cut in, thanks.

I bought my trailer new with extended height and spent 2 months building it myself and still had almost $30,000 in it. I also built the smoker that is on the back.

[BigBellyBBQ]

just of note, chicken is one of the hardest to hold while brisket and pork are the easiest..for info on your menu..