Any food market traders on here? I need car/van advice!

[sat1983]

I've got a new business that I'm setting up and it involves hot food.
I only have a 3 door Hatchback (Volvo C30) but I need to fit a griddle, gazebo, a gas bottle or 2, pasting table, trolley, a big cool box and all my ingredients.

I'm kinda hoping I have enough space in the car and although it will be a pain unloading I'd rather keep the car as I know it's been reliable so far. I've looked for an estate and that but at the price range I can afford most estates/vans are tired and somehow the estate I was looking at (octavia Skoda) didn't look that big in the back.

Any opinions on whether I'm likely to manage? I haven't got all my materials to try yet!

[GOG440]

Might fit but not guaranteed, without a rough budget its difficult, but how about something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[bigandclever]

(Removeable) towbar and a trailer?

[sat1983]

Trailer you need a licence!

Van not ideal if you need to transport more than 2-3!

[21TonyK]

You can tow up to 750kg on any license I thought? On mine its up to 3.5t

Trailer is the cheapest option by far and you won't end up with a car stinking of food and grease. I know a guy who does curries at food fairs. You don't want to go in his car!!

[MethylatedSpirit]

Setting up or packing up is going to be a royal pain in the arse... Especially if it's wet. Then there's the hygiene issues of storing food in the car without a proper fridge (Coolbox is a massive no-no for me), no sink to wash hands on (Don't give me gloves as an excuse), no proper facilities to clean equipment and utensils. I'm sorry, but it sounds like a stupid (and dangerous!) idea to me

Get a large trailer + tow bar, fit everything you need to it and modify the trailer to suit. Then you essentially just park up & open the doors/windows and get going. I'm guessing you have experience in the hospitality/food industry?


Trailer license cost me £350 including test and 1 day of lessons.

Trailer about £1300

Towbar £130 and fit yourself

Sink + fridge + 12v power systems £500ish

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Saturday 6th August 12:56

[Countdown]

Or, if you're exceptionally lazy like me....


http://www.ncass.org.uk/ncass_catering_equipment_f...

[21TonyK]

Plenty of people operate quite safely at food markets without trailers. I was thinking more of a trailer you tow with the kit in rather than a mobile kiosk.

Seen these in use at my local market.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Hand-Wash-Motor-Ve...

[uber]

21TonyK said:

Plenty of people operate quite safely at food markets without trailers. I was thinking more of a trailer you tow with the kit in rather than a mobile kiosk.

Seen these in use at my local market.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Hand-Wash-Motor-Ve...

More and more councils are insisting on 2 sinks for mobile traders. I recently got caught out with this and had to rent a bunch as they wanted powered hot water, cold water etc.