Catering Truck

Buying a catering truck can give your catering business dreams a head start. It goes without saying that this is a serious investment. To minimize problems, keep the following in mind.

Budget and Financing

This is always the primary consideration. If your budget is limited, you should buy a used truck. Even if you have money, think of the long term. The truck is an investment. Calculate how much you will be paying for a new truck and how long it will take to break even and make profits.

Whether you’re buying a new or old truck, you also have to factor in the costs of repair and maintenance. The bottom line: buy the best truck that you can afford. You can always upgrade later on.

Getting Advice

Ask advice from people who have been there. Who did they deal with? Which manufacturers are reliable? What is the after sales support like? Are the trucks reliable?

Before you buy the truck, have it inspected by a mechanic. Do this even if the manufacturer is well known. This will be your business, so you can’t take chances. If you cannot bring a mechanic, take the truck to a mechanic.

How to Buy New Catering Trucks

Check the warranty. Is it extensive? How does it compare with others in terms of length? What is the company’s position if the truck gets damaged?

Inspection

Don’t buy the truck until you’ve seen the catering area. Test like you’re going to use it. Turn on the components like you’re going to stock it up. Turn on the coffee machine.

Do the same thing with the fans. Make sure the steam trays and other cooking apparatus are working. If the propane tanks are installed, ensure they are working properly.

Test Drive the Truck

Test all the components in the cab. Drive around. How well can you see the rearview mirrors? Are you comfortable driving it? Is the windshield view adequate? Are the seats comfortable? This is important especially when you drive many miles.

Tips

Don’t rush into buying the truck. Don’t let the dealer’s claims that other people are interested in buying it deceive you. Get the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a CarFax report on it.

There are a lot of catering trucks out there, so don’t lose heart if one is too costly or doesn’t meet your expectations. You can always look in the Web for other dealers.