Food trucks have been around for quite some time now. But the pandemic has somehow sparked its re-emergence and the public’s renewed interest in them. Instead of people going out to eat at a resto or diner, the diner came to their neighbourhoods in the form of food trucks.
When we talk about food trucks, most food truck owners are likely to take whatever large vehicle is the most affordable and convert them into mobile canteens.
By definition, a food truck is a licensed and motorised vehicle that is used to sell food to the general public. However, this definition will probably vary depending on the location. But generally, that’s the main idea.
If you’re thinking of starting a food truck business in the future, you need to consider a few things before you go looking for trucks for sale.
First, you need to decide what your main concept will be, from your theme to your menu. This usually determines how much space you’ll need.
Next, since we’re already talking about space, you need to figure out which vehicle will best suit your concept and the space requirements you need for food preparation and cooking.
Lastly, you should also consider the truck’s overall appearance. The more eye catching it is, the more it will stand out from the rest of the competition. But it will really depend on your concept at the end of the day so you have to be clear with the direction you want to go in before you dive into things.
That being said, below is a list of the most commonly used vehicles in the food truck industry.
12 Vehicles Commonly Used as Food Trucks
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Ford F-450 Cutaway
Although it may seem like an odd choice for a food truck, an F-450 Cutaway is perfect for the job with plenty of headroom, built-in shelves, and a couple of massive rear doors you can serve meals out of.
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TukTuk Taxi
Tuk Tuks, or rickshaws, are popular in Southeast Asian nations, especially in Thailand. If you’ve ever been there, it’s not unusual to see Tuk Tuks as food carts peddling food-to-go.
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Shipping Container
It may not be a vehicle but it’s still connected to a truck. Kidding aside, a container is a perfect unit for a food truck business because of its versatility as it can be a stand-alone cart or can be welded onto the back of a truck to allow for more mobility.
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Piaggio Ape
A Piaggio Ape is a three-wheeled scooter that can easily find its way through traffic on the narrow streets of Italy. They are perfect for pop-up stalls in markets, food parks, or on the street corner.
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Peugeot PJ9
While Peugeot’s PJ9 isn’t exactly one of the most common food truck vehicles you’ll see around the world, its unique appearance sets it apart from the rest of the competition.
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VW Kombi
Volkswagen’s camper van is perhaps one of the most iconic vans ever made and is adored by millions of people the world over. Having one as your food truck is sure to attract customers because of its adorably classic appearance.
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Caravans
Most recently, a lot of food truck and food stall owners have started converting vintage caravans for their business. They can be attached to any truck and towed to almost any location making it one of the best options out there today.
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Airstreams
No food-truck-vehicle list would be complete without this classic American trailer. Just like those retro caravans, a lot of Airstreams are being outfitted and converted as food trailers.
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Buses
Depending on which part of the world you’re in, you’ll find school buses, passenger buses, and even double-decker buses as themed mobile bustaurants.
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Horseboxes
This may seem a bit unusual because, as the name says, it is primarily used to transport horses. But a lot of small business owners are buying horseboxes for cheap and converting them into pop-up coffee stalls or mobile bars.
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Citroen H Vans
Citroen H Vans are quite hot nowadays, especially in the UK, because of their vintage appeal. These old French panel vans make for very attractive food trucks especially once they’re all fixed and set-up.
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Ford Stepvan
Last but not the least, Ford’s Stepvan are quite popular in the U.S. primarily for its use as postal delivery trucks. But its spacious interiors make it an ideal food truck.
When it comes to food trucks, as you can see from the list above, it doesn’t have to be an actual truck as long as it is mobile. It will all depend on the concept and creativity of the owners. It’s a great and fun way to enjoy food on a solo trip or with your loved ones.
