If you’re planning to start or grow a mobile catering business, one of the main decisions is whether to choose a food truck or catering trailer.
Both can work really well. The best option usually comes down to how often you move, how much space you need, what equipment you’re using and the type of food or drink you plan to serve.
At Tudor Trailers, we build bespoke catering trailers, food trucks and catering vehicle conversions for businesses across Somerset, Bristol, the South West and throughout the UK.
Food Truck or Catering Trailer: What’s the Difference?
The main difference is simple.
A catering trailer is towed to your trading location by another vehicle, while a food truck or catering van combines the kitchen and vehicle into one unit.
Both can be fully fitted with commercial equipment, refrigeration, water systems, storage and serving hatches. The real difference is how you want to use the unit day to day.
Why Choose a Bespoke Catering Trailer?
A purpose-built catering trailer gives you a lot of flexibility. It can be designed around your menu, equipment and the number of people working inside, making it a good option for street food businesses, coffee operators and event caterers.
More Space for Catering Equipment and Staff
Because there is no cab or engine taking up room, more of the space can usually be used for the catering area. This can be useful if you need:
- Larger cooking equipment
- More refrigeration
- Extra preparation space
- More storage
- Several members of staff
Keeping Your Tow Vehicle Separate
Once your trailer is positioned, your tow vehicle can be used separately. This can be really useful at festivals, shows and longer events where the trailer may stay in place for several days.
Why Choose a Food Truck or Catering Van?
A food truck can be a better option if you move regularly. Everything is contained in one vehicle, so you can drive to your pitch, set up and start trading without needing to tow a separate trailer.
Tudor Trailers converts a wide range of vans and commercial vehicles into bespoke mobile catering units. Food trucks can work particularly well for:
- Street food pitches
- Business parks
- Markets
- Weddings
- Corporate events
- Coffee rounds
- Private events
If your business is moving between different locations every week, this can be a big advantage.
Which Gives You More Catering Space?
It depends on the size of the trailer or vehicle.
A large box van conversion can offer plenty of working space, while a larger catering trailer can also be designed for several staff and a full commercial kitchen.
The best place to start is with your menu.
Think about:
- How many staff will work inside?
- What cooking equipment do you need?
- How much refrigeration is required?
- How much preparation space do you need?
- How much stock will you carry?
A well-planned layout can be just as important as the overall size.
Food Truck or Catering Trailer for Events or a Coffee Business?
For Events?
For festivals and larger events, catering trailers are often a really practical option. They can provide plenty of space for equipment and staff, and once they are positioned your tow vehicle remains separate.
Food trucks can also work well, especially if appearance and branding are an important part of the business. Vintage vehicles such as Citroën H Vans, Peugeot J7s and Renault Estafettes can create a really distinctive mobile catering setup.
For a Coffee Business?
Both can work very well. A catering trailer can provide plenty of room for coffee machines, refrigeration, storage and water systems. A catering van may be better if you’re moving between several locations during the day.
Chassis cab conversions can also provide a good basis for a bespoke mobile coffee or catering vehicle.
Find out more about chassis cab catering conversions
The choice really comes down to whether you expect to stay in one place or move around regularly.
Which Is Better for a Street Food Business, and What Does It Cost?
Which Is Better for a Street Food Business?
Again, both options can work. A larger catering trailer can be a good choice if you need several fryers, grills or ovens and want plenty of space for staff. A food truck can be better for a smaller menu or a business moving between regular pitches.
The important thing is to make the decision around your menu and how you plan to trade.
Food Truck and Catering Trailer Costs in the UK
Costs vary depending on the size of the unit, the equipment required and how bespoke the build is. With a vehicle conversion, you also need to factor in the cost of the vehicle itself. With a catering trailer, you need to consider whether you already have a suitable tow vehicle. This may include:
- Trailer or vehicle, build or conversion
- Catering equipment and refrigeration
- Branding and gas and electrical work
- Insurance, stock and event or pitch fees
For more detail, read our guide: How Much Does a Catering Trailer Cost in the UK?
Gas and Electrical Safety for Mobile Catering Units
Whether you choose a food truck or catering trailer, the gas and electrical systems need to be suitable for the commercial equipment being installed.
Tudor Trailers has qualified Gas Safe and NICEIC engineers and can provide the relevant testing and certification for mobile catering units.
Finance Options for Catering Trailers and Vehicle Conversions
Tudor Trailers does not provide finance directly. However, we work with an independent finance broker who can help customers explore finance options for a new catering trailer or vehicle conversion.
Finance may help spread the cost of the build while leaving more working capital available for equipment, stock, branding and other business costs.
Any finance is provided independently and will be subject to the lender’s terms, eligibility and approval.
Food Trucks and Catering Trailers in Somerset and Bristol
Tudor Trailers is based in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, making us well placed for customers across Somerset, Bristol and the wider South West. We also build catering trailers and convert vehicles for customers throughout the UK.
Whether you’re starting a street food business in Bristol, looking for a bespoke catering trailer in Somerset or planning to trade at events around the country, we can help you choose the right type of unit.
Which Mobile Catering Unit Is Right for Your Business?
A catering trailer may be better if:
- You want more catering space
- You regularly trade at large events
- You want to leave the unit on site
- You already have a suitable tow vehicle
A food truck may be better if:
- You move locations regularly
- You want everything in one vehicle
- You already have a suitable vehicle to convert
- You want a highly mobile setup
There isn’t one right answer for every business. The best option is the one that works around your menu, equipment and the way you actually plan to trade.
If you’re still at the early stages of planning your business, our guide to starting a mobile catering business is also worth reading.