Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (oqanani)

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:30:05 GMT

http://www.amazon.com/Com...5641629/ref=pd_vtp_b_6

Put your money where your mouth is

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Tsboss)

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:02:56 GMT

They do have a food truck for Dummies book.. I just bought it from Barnes and Nobles..LOL

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (chocolategypsy)

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:46:44 GMT

We're also putting in a convection oven, but that's because of catering, not vending. After using one in commercial kitchens (plus my wife is a professional baker) I would not live without one! I'm also planning on getting a counter-top 1/2 pan sized one for fast and small work. I absolutely love convection ovens, despite the giant size and weight.
Dave

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Freezers-full-in-Alaska)

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:01:28 GMT

Maybe a little off subject ,But there is a real good book if you plan on opening a Concession trailer,Its called Food Booth, The Entrepreneur's Complete Guide to the Food Concession Business Lots of good info I thought.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Barbeque barn)

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 01:04:54 GMT

barbeque barn

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (THE WILD DOG)

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:07:49 GMT

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Bobby G's Good Eats)

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:12:22 GMT

Thanks to all that gave me input... I didn't get either... I went with a brand new 6 x 14...got it for brand new for 2000.00...putting the components in

ty
BG

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (sheetserr)

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:51:08 GMT

Hey, Chef

We have standard ovens here at home, but I figured I go convection for the biz. I hear that the heating is more even, the cook is more efficient and the product generally turns out better. I plan on - once I get going for a bit - doing specials like pork tacos, meatloaf, roast turkey sandwiches, etc. I'm sure I'll run some cookies through there on occasion.

I've found a full-sized counter model. It doesn't seem overly expensive. I can tell you that the first trailer manufacturer I was looking at wanted 9k to install a convection oven.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (chefbuba)

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:29:37 GMT

Sheetseer.... why the convection oven? It's a big expense and is deeper than a standard oven due to the fan and motor in the rear of the unit.....It will take up precious room. I had a full size convection oven along with 2 standard ovens in the movie catering truck....rarely used the convection unless it was a day we were feeding 1000 extras baked chicken or something that required the extra oven space.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (sheetserr)

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:27:57 GMT

Mike,

Thanks for the in-depth response. It's very helpful.

I had a question, because the first manufacturer I seriously considered (the all-steel guys) balked at the idea of a combo range I said I'd like to put in the trailer. It was a Southbend combo 4-burner and 36" griddle with a convection oven on the bottom. They said it would be too deep for the unit. Then, when I started getting specs, etc, they said there would be an issue of balance.

I agree with you. I want to do this right the first time. I'm going to have a good bit of equipment in there, and wanted to make sure it doesn't topple over or do the wobble going down the street. So, all the cooking equipment on one side is pretty much standard for everyone here?

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (localnet)

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:58:26 GMT

The equipment is located under the hood for fire reasons and cost, one hood is cheaper than two and we have little room in these trailers. Then we have work flow, which can make or break a menu in no time at all if you are under pressure to really put out some product and you are running from point a to point b to cook an egg. If you can, really think long and hard about your menu, work it out in your head how you plan to prepare it. I would go as far as to do a trailer/kitchen mock up on my garage floor. Pretend you just got an order for a burger, and go through all of the motions of getting the meat out of the fridge/freezer, cook it, get the bread, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, build it and package it for the final sale. Where is your condiment/prep table? Where is the bread? At the other end of the trailer or above your head on a shelve? Speed and organization will be key to putting out a good product quickly. Really think about this because it is expensive to redo equipment placement in a trailer, get it right the first time and just don't go with what the builder tells you. He may say it is popular, but he is more than likely selling his design for other reasons other than work flow. You have to cook in it, he doesn't.

That heavy equipment is not "that" heavy, other than say a good sized griddle. The hood is bulky, but again, not that heavy. You also have your water supply along with holding tanks, which can be used as ballast to even things out along with the counter tops, storage and refrigeration. There is allot going on in these mobile kitchens to allow for proper weight distribution.

The one thing that I would be concerned about is the roof. If you have a roof mounted exhaust fan installed along with AC units, make sure that the roof has been beefed up to support the weight. I have read, not experienced, that some manufacturers just throw up an exhaust fan only to have the roof and walls sag in a year or two because they did not add reinforcements to accommodate the weight and the wind forces on the unit when you are pulling it down the road.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (sheetserr)

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:44:08 GMT

Chef and others - Most design their trailers with all the cooking equipment on one side. This may be a no-brainer, but I have to ask a few questions for my own peace of mind. Is this for purposes of getting it all under the hood system? How does the trailer remain balanced when a mjority of the heavy equipment is on one side?

Thank you!
Sheetserr

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Bobby G's Good Eats)

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 12:39:47 GMT

Sheet... now "Ironing" i can do...I'm withya......Thank you guys...

Chef...with all that you suggested, I with research, realize I need all you spoke about and then some...but regarding "ventilation".... I spoke to a guy who has 11 trailers all around the west coast of florida at loews who is getting out of the business (he made his fortunes), who said he didn't need a fire supression system because he didn't have a grill, only a griddle... and I think I have seen some trailers that did'nt have them..... why is that...I thought all trailers needed them...?..or at least a ventilation system or hood system...?..no bubble bursting here...

Wild...I thought so....thanks...and now I am about to read all 10 pages on the buid llink...

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (sheetserr)

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 11:57:50 GMT

Bobby G, you stick with me, and we'll iron all this out here and now. :) I have a question for the pro's!

Most trailers I've seen have the major cooking equipment on one side. The rationale behind that is to get all that stuff under the hood system easily, correct? What keeps the trailer from wobbling? With mostly counter space on the other side, it seems that a trailer would be tipsy, like me on on a Friday evening.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (THE WILD DOG)

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:02:22 GMT

The sinks can be built for far less than $2800. More like $200-$300. Chef is right, there is alot of other things that need to be addressed inside the trailer, the proper ventilation will run you about $3k in itself. Check out the mobile trailer build on here to get an idea of what is going to be needed before spending any money. believe me I know what you mean by the funds depleting. I built my rig on a shoestring and thought I'd have enough $ to complete it, but went over budget by 3k easily.

http://www.roadfood.com/F...h=mobile+kitchen+build

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (chefbuba)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:27:03 GMT

You need flooring, wall covering, electrical, prpoane tanks and piping, 4 sinks, plumbing, refrigeration, fresh and grey water tanks, pump, counter tops, cooking equipment, ventilation, misc small wares (pots, pans, inserts,spoons, spats, ice chests, etc), then your food stock, paper goods. Pay for health dept plan reviews, and operating permits. Business license, and possiably other local agency permits. Then you will need commercial insurance on both the trailer and tow vehicle, and you better have $1,000,000 liability insurance for your business..... You might also have to pay for a commissary for your trailer, and a good chance that you will have to pay rent for a space to set up and sell from. There are more thing's, but you get thge idea.
Not to burst your bubble, but 2 grand aint gonna do it.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Bobby G's Good Eats)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:12:42 GMT

Wild... I have been searching far and wide for a trailer... and since I am currently not working, my funds are depleting fast...and I need to have some sort of urgency... so let me ask you this...I can also get a brand new trailer... 6 x6.6...with electric for around 2800.00.... but from what I am told the sinks may run me about another 2500 to add... does that sound right to you...?...

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (THE WILD DOG)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:55:27 GMT

I'd spend the $1500 on that trailer vs the other one you showed us. Just looks more professional and cleaner. Take your time, especially if you have limited funds. Just don't want to see a newbie jump the gun and waste their money on something they could have spent it wisely on. There are plenty of trailers out there, just make sure the one you buy is going to work THE BEST for you.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Bobby G's Good Eats)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:30:50 GMT

Chef and Wild...yes I have been to the health dept... and from what I was told... they seem to be persistant on the sinks...3 plus 1... but what are you guys leaning towards...?...from what I was told by the owner of the trailer it has had work done to it and actually he has a website (maybe you know of it)...all american entertainment... and can't you park the trailer in a storage facility...?...or do you have another suggestion...as I had stated, I have limited funds and the price for the trailer is 1200.00...is that too much for this...?....with me adding another 2000.00 for fixing it up...do you think that would be sufficient...?....I am not above fixing it up and getting dirty......BUT...lol...again, I also saw a 8 x 10 for 1500.00 that I would like to show you as well...what do you think...I'll take all the advice I can get

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (THE WILD DOG)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:44:25 GMT

i will back Chef up. Don't spend a dime until you talk with your Health Dept. I would hold off, That trailer looks like it need some work to be done on it. I would show pic to the HD to see what they say. Might not be in your best interest to purchase that particular one.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (chefbuba)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:34:10 GMT

Bobby G.....looks like you have alot of hard work ahead of you!
Have you been to the city/county to see if and where you can even place a trailer? Have you been to your health dept yet? Find out all the requirements needed.... before you spend any $$ on that thing....
There are several folks here from FL... they might be able to give you some insight on what's allowed.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Bobby G's Good Eats)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:55:07 GMT

Thank you Chef...

this is going to be my future......also...do you think my 3/4 ton van will have a problem towing this...it was a bargain..it already has electric inside, i just have to add the rest...i want to go lp... serve 3-4 specialty burgers, italian sausage and peppers, southern fried chicken pieces, 3-4 specialty meatball subs and a latin steak sub..not sure about fries yet... and who knows what else or less...so what do ya think...thanks

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (chefbuba)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:59:39 GMT

Dupe post...

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (chefbuba)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:52:12 GMT

Photo has to be hosted on photobucket or similar....
copy the url.....click on the little green (insert/edit image)...add the url and hit insert.... good luck!

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (Bobby G's Good Eats)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:21:25 GMT

Hello everyone... I would like to introduce myself as I am new to your world... Hi, my name is Robert but you can call me Bobby or Bobby G.
I have been lurking for some time now, registered today and as most of your responses tend to answer all my questions (and I have/had a ton of them), I would like to extend this gratitude of thanks to those who contribute to this board and in making some of us newbies educated in what I hope will be a fantastic journey into the unknown yet fascinating arena of being a roadfoodie...
I am a single parent of a 3 year old girl and have been out of work due to the company I worked for folding this year..my passion/hobby has always been to cook for people so now I am going to commit myself to this all the way...I do not want to hijack the thread but I (after going through alot of research and motions), am going to get my trailer next week and would love to hear some thoughts on what you think about the trailer I am interested in before making that commitment... my funds are very limited so keep this in mind...and I am looking to start small in equipment so I hope this is a good find for me and I hope i can insert the pic...Thank you all in advance...Bobby G.
ok, ok, this is sad..how do I add the picture.....?

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (lornaschinske)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:19:18 GMT

I'm sorry. That link wasn't supposed to be there. I had posted it to an RV forum.

Swiss Miss (2 pkts) in a 12 oz cup of hot water from an airpot served with a warning "Now be careful, that's really hot". The hot water is heated up in the pour over coffeemaker.

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (FriedTater)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:33:10 GMT

Lorna, I suggest you start giving your daughter your bad tasting recipes. She takes them to coffeehouse, they shut down, you win. Just might help your business!

lornaschinske

sheetserr

Well, since we're talking coffee... Do you offer A regular, decaf and(or) a flavored?

We offer regular Folgers Classic Roast. there is a coffehouse less than a block away that sells the fancy coffees so we don't sell much coffee on the street. Cocoa is our hot drink that we are selling. I've quit making coffee for the street. My daughter is currently working at the coffeehouse and making MY RECIPES for their meals! Now I'm leary of giving her any more recipes (she doesn't have them all). Oh well. I've ate their food. They need a bit of help in my opinion.
http://www.recipe4living....es/free_ecookbooks.htm

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (sheetserr)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:00:21 GMT

The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup, or so they say. I don't think there's any coffee on the street where I'm headed. I'd venture to say that the businesses in that area serve breakroom dirt water. I may be in luck!

How does the hot chocolate gig work? A neighbor told me to serve it. How do you prepare and store it?

The cookbooks in that link.... I assume one of them is yours?

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (lornaschinske)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:01:19 GMT

sheetserr

Well, since we're talking coffee... Do you offer A regular, decaf and(or) a flavored?

We offer regular Folgers Classic Roast. there is a coffehouse less than a block away that sells the fancy coffees so we don't sell much coffee on the street. Cocoa is our hot drink that we are selling. I've quit making coffee for the street. My daughter is currently working at the coffeehouse and making MY RECIPES for their meals! Now I'm leary of giving her any more recipes (she doesn't have them all). Oh well. I've ate their food. They need a bit of help in my opinion.
http://www.recipe4living....es/free_ecookbooks.htm

Re:Wish They Had a Trailer for Dummies Book (sheetserr)

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:17:33 GMT

Thank you for the input.

Mike - I've worked in a corporate office environment for 15+ years. For health reasons (eye issues), I've had to step away. Unless I lose my shirt on this career venture, I don't plan on being the least bit sorry for the switch. Yeah, i won't make a million dollars, but the sheer joy of cooking and being my own boss should, in time, outweigh the positives of the old job. I'll miss the inexpensive insurance and steady pay, but I plan on making it happen curbside.