Recessed Floor

Hey folks!  Happy holidays to all RF members.
 
I wasn't able to find much on this topic via Search.  Do any of you mobile food folks out there have a recessed floor in your unit?  If so, what are the benefits/drawbacks?  The builder I'm working with has proposed raising the roof of the trailer by 6".
 
Thanks,
Steve

Steve.. My trailer interior hight is 7'6" tall, what they did was basically build a platform all the way around the walls for the equipment to sit on. This is at the inside height of the wheel wells. This creates a trough down the middle, approx 3" deep.
Everything is diamond plated...

Chef,
 
That looks great.  How does it work out for you?  That platform takes up a little space.  Do you ever get tripped up or anything?  I would assume that the obvious benefit of a recessed floor is putting you at eye-level with the customers.  Correct?
 
Steve

The platform does not take up any useable space, nothing to trip on, all the equipment rests on it.  My trailer is not low to the ground like some concession trailers are... it's about the normal height of a travel trailer. If I remember correctly, the hitch height is 23",
What kind of trailer are you starting with? Why raise the roof of a stock trailer?...find one tall enough for your needs, or find someone who builds from the ground up.

Chef,
 
It's a Wells Cargo.  I've decided to go with these guys over the all-steel unit I was looking at previously.  I'll end up saving money, and the logistics work out better, not to mention that Wells has a 6-yr warranty on their trailers.
 
Here's the comment from my trailer rep regarding the roof...
 
"I added 6 inches to the height of the trailer because of the size of the concession window it would make it uncomfortable for the workers to serve the customers as the window would sit about 2 feet off of the floor."
 
He did also mention that a recessed floor is an option.  Your thoughts?

What is the inside height of the trailer?

Chef,
 
The spec sheet indicates that the overall height is 8' 5", and the interior height is 6' 6".  That's not including his proposed 6" addition.

That trailer is low to the ground..... 
 I got a quote from these guys, they were way over priced...I think you can do better. The wells is a good trailer but.....your building a kitchen. It is on a wells cargo platform, they make nice cargo trailers.  Is their steel any better than another fabricator?... Don't think so.  You need to find a builder that builds the entire thing from the ground up. Not just stuffing a kitchen inside a cargo trailer.
 

I doubt you can just lower the trailer floor.  There is a required minimum clearance above the straight axle.  This is to keep the frame from bottoming out on the axle.      .... The only way to lower the floor is to use an off-set axle.   But this will cause the wheel & fender to be higher above the floor,  such as pictured by chefbuba.   

A recessed floor is an option - not sure how Wells Cargo pulls it off exactly.  It sounds like the trailer is so low that I wouldn't need it anyway.
 
The price quoted for an 8 x 24 trailer, minus the kitchen equipment was under 21k.  This seems fairly reasonable.  There is a local kitchen supply company that has been in business for years that will load all the equipment, connect it, service it on site, etc.  My contact there has done installs in a number of food trailers during his time at this company.
 
I hear what you're saying as to purchasing the unit through a full-on concession trailer dealer.  I was set to buy from Supreme Products in TX, but their prices seem quite high (excellent quality, all-steel trailers).  I got a quote from Southwest in Miami, but then, I found a number of negative reviews in terms of quality.  I got a quote of 40k from this company, and it includes all the kitchen equipment.
http://customconcessions.com/
 
I can't get Waymatic to get back to me with a price quote.
 
Thoughts?
 
Thank you!
Steve

I am going to call this one a " REGRET " purchase. If someone is saying you can do better and has an experience with them, I would avoid them. I gave you a good tip from a company that built mine. I've had nothing but compliment after compliment about my trailer. If you want the info and feel comfortable purchasing something you know will be a quality custom build. Go with my people.
 
It kind of seems like you might be jumping the gun and here and making a stress purchase. I would back away for a week on it and re-asses the sitatuion and make sure that this purchase is going to be right for you. NOTHING is going to bug you more than making a bad purchase and being stuck with a custom trailer that you HATE.
 
Just MHO
 

YOU are getting crushed on that price. UNDER 21k for an 8 x 24 trailer is crazy. I paid well under 4k for my 6x10 and my 6x12 was only $100 more. that included the white walls, ac brace, and concession window and the door placed wherever I wanted. They could have fully outfitted my trailer with bases had I asked them. They do full concession trailers. I would seriously shop that price before you over pay for something of this magnitude. 

Wild Dog - your trailer folks are out in MD, which is close.  I'll go back to your previous posts for the info.  I'll send them my basic info and see what they come up with for a base price on an 8 x 24.  I'll mention you.
 
All - what do you guys do when it comes time to picking kitchen equipment?  One of the reasons I'm leaning toward this Wells Cargo arrangement is the kitchen supply company.  Wells Cargo obviously doesn't install kitchens.  Using the outside source would allow me to carefully pick and choose each piece for the trailer.  The guy at the kitchen company has experience with food trailers, too, which is a plus.
 
The folks down in TX had their own list of preferred equipment.  They didn't tell you any of the brand names, and they charged one hell of a markup on each piece.  This is why I decided to go elsewhere.  I didn't have enough control, and they seemed more fixated on telling me what wasn't going to work than coming up with alternatives.  In my case, dealing with a kitchen expert is very appealing.  
 
That being said, I do see your points on working with companies that build the whole thing.  I have to ask.  What do you guys do when a piece of kitchen equipment breaks down or something happens to the trailer itself?
 
Thanks!
Steve

As far as equipment brands.... it's all going to fall apart eventually. It was never made to be bounced around in a mobile kitchen...so find a brand of equipment that you can live with and go with it.
When something breaks, You fix it if you can or get it fixed......
 
What's the layout and equipment you are wanting?

sheetserr


A recessed floor is an option - not sure how Wells Cargo pulls it off exactly.  It sounds like the trailer is so low that I wouldn't need it anyway.
.................

Thoughts?

Thank you!
Steve

Just another bit if info, .... the longer the trailer is, the higher the required ground clearance of the frame & tongue to keep from dragging when going into a driveway or turning onto a inclined street, ect.   I have to check my design guides, but I think the standard is 7 deg ( maybe more from wheel to rear) from the wheel to the lowest frame part or trailer end.    ...  Good trailer manufactures will know this.    ... Just be careful how the floor is lower and ground clearance.
 

Wild Dog - I checked the PSI website but haven't called yet. Who put in your kitchen equipment?
 
Chef - At the very least, I'd like to have a 36" griddle, 36" charbroiler, convection oven (found a counterline model that should work nicely), a 2-4 burner hotplate (will try to get away with just 2 burners), full-sized fridge, small freezer, salad top fridge for toppings (a small one), some type of small steam table (not sure what my needs will be here, might just need a chili warmer of some sort), coffee pot...
 
The above equipment list is why working with a restaurant supply company appeals to me so much.  The rep there has experience with trailers and can make specific recommendations based on my menu and the trailer's floorplan. If I can somehow take this thing down from a 24' to a 20' trailer, I'd be happy.
 
edwmax - Wells Cargo is a reputable company, but, as others have indicated, they don't do the whole thing from the ground up.  They don't install the kitchen equipment.  Their primary sell is cargo trailers, but they do advertise concession.  They've also been in business for years and stand by their work with a warranty.  They offer recessed floor as an option.
 
I appreciate all the info everyone here has provided.  It's been very helpful.  I can cook.  I'm just not a trailer guy, so this forum has been invaluable. 

I put in all my own equipment and ran all of my 12volt and gas lines myself. However ANY licensed plumber can install the gas lines for you, if you don't want to do it yourself.

If you can, have the trailer built a bit taller than normal. The reason I say that, is that you can run racks/shelving along the walls for storage of dry goods and breads. When you are in a high volume situation it would be nice to just reach above your head and get that extra loaf of bread or can of shrooms.
 
Mike

sheetserr


edwmax - Wells Cargo is a reputable company, but, as others have indicated, they don't do the whole thing from the ground up.  They don't install the kitchen equipment.  Their primary sell is cargo trailers, but they do advertise concession.  They've also been in business for years and stand by their work with a warranty.  They offer recessed floor as an option. 

 
I didn't imply Wells Cargo wasn't a reputable Co.     I'm sure they know what they are doing even when their customer don't.     ....    I was just giving you info on what to look for or ask about if the floor is recessed.   You asked. ... I assume what they are referring to as being recessed is the floor being below the top of the wheels vs above the wheel & fenders.    .... I think most food trailers the floor is recessed below & in between the wheels.   Just make sure you have proper ground clearance so as not drag every time you turn into a drive or go over RR crossings.   .... If the floor is not recessed, the space below the floor can be used for the water tanks & small storage.

Thanks, guys!  Your comments are helpful.