1. Truck reliability is questionable

With a used truck, it may not be as dependable as you’d prefer it to be. Fleet autos from large transportation firms like UPS or FedEx are one of many main sources of used truck chassis for the meals truck constructing business.

These firms usually drive them as a part of their fleet for about seven years earlier than reselling them, so it’s uncommon to discover a newer truck chassis with lower than 100,000 miles. Whereas they’re usually nicely maintained, their peak efficiency is probably going behind them so reliability needs to be thought-about.

2. Income misplaced attributable to a damaged truck

In case your truck gained’t begin or has upkeep issues, you would possibly miss a catering job or the prospect to promote to the lunch crowd downtown.

The repairs may not be a fast repair both. In case your meals truck is within the store for every week or unexpectedly quits, you’re dropping cash and clients on daily basis.

3. Present used vans aren’t constructed for future rules

At the moment, widespread automobile fashions for meals vans embrace Ford F-59 step vans, Chevy P-30 step vans, and Freightliner MT55s.

Whereas they’re stable vans, rules and allowing necessities are always altering, which suggests entrepreneurs can purchase a truck that meets the strictest of requirements to keep away from prices down the highway.

Within the meals truck mecca of Los Angeles, for instance, a regulation now requires 2009 or older diesel vans with a gross automobile weight score (GVWR) higher than 14,000 kilos (most weigh anyplace from 12,000 kilos to 16,000 kilos) to both set up a $10,000+ converter equipment or exchange their present engine to adjust to lowered emissions requirements. This regulation will probably be phased in over the subsequent six years, with the ultimate section ending in 2023.

Shopping for a truck that’s lower than the strictest requirements might price you a bit of change as rules evolve in years to come back. To plan forward, take into account staying away from diesel-fuel fashions and look to construct your kitchen on a gas saving, low emission hybrid truck chassis just like the Toyota Hino.

4. Long run truck repairs can add up

Placing a brand new kitchen on a used truck can prevent cash upfront, however you’ll nonetheless need to put cash into the truck to maintain it working. Count on to take care of some big-ticket issues on a used truck inside the first three to 5 years. These prices ought to weigh into your choice to purchase a used or a brand new truck.