merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Nov 12, 2020 18:55:30 GMT
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So with all that's going on at the moment, we've decided that now is probably the time to take the restaurant on the road. My reckoning is that once all this is over there's going to be a lot of people who are double booked for weddings, and there's going to be increased demand for event catering. In the mean time we'll be doing street food, and taking the van around local towns & villages to get a bit of extra business. So being an American-style burger restaurant we're looking for an American vehicle to turn into a food truck, and we've settled on a step van. I haven't been able to find many for sale in the UK, and none for anything less than silly money, so my current plan is to import one from the US, does anyone have any experience doing this? What kind of size can I drive on a normal UK license? Finally - show me some inspiration!
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Nov 12, 2020 19:48:03 GMT
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I immediately thought of a Commer Walk Thru when I saw your last image, but a quick Google shows these are Hen's Teeth territory now, so a US import makes sense.
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Nov 12, 2020 20:19:33 GMT
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I can't help with your questions, but happy to be a taste tester when you get it up and running!
Are you allowed to say where the restaurant is and what it's called or is that classed as advertising?
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Shortcut
Posted a lot
I won't be there when you cross the road, so always use the Green Cross Code.
Posts: 3,037
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Nov 12, 2020 20:20:23 GMT
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There's a Mexican food truck near us that does awesome tacos etc. They used to run out of a standard trailer but they are currently doing up a double decker bus. Like a food truck but more seating.
Just a thought.
ps the first silver cube is amazeballs.
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This space available to rent. Reach literally dozens of people. Cheap rates!
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Nov 12, 2020 20:48:47 GMT
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I'd focus on the food. How much food will you have to sell to cover a van like?
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Nov 12, 2020 20:55:46 GMT
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I don't know the ins and outs, but often there are 1 or 2 of these type vans on the docks in Liverpool with the pick ups and speed boats off the ro-ro, so someone must be importing them.
I always thought the old merc-based sliding door UPS vans would lend themselves this sort of thing, but they have all vanished.
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Nov 12, 2020 21:39:11 GMT
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I think I'm allowed to say, the restaurant is Big Boys Fine Burger Co., I started it with my brother in 2014 (today was our 6th birthday!).
It's American style food, we've started doing some BBQ as well. We'll have to sell a fair number of burgers to cover the van, but there's decent money in events, and I think we'll be able to recoup the cost relatively quickly.
This year's been a real killer for us, in February we won the National Burger Awards Burger Chef of the Year trophy, then a month later we were locked down! We're slowly getting back on our feet, and this is just another step in the right direction.
I've also got a plan for a massive 12ft BBQ as well, but I need to drag it out of the field it's resting in first (next to an Audi Quattro - haven't asked for a price on that yet!).
From looking around the vans are very reasonably priced in the US, and the cost shouldn't be more than about £4k to bring one over.
I'm just not sure on the ins and outs of it all, weight limits etc.
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Nov 12, 2020 21:41:24 GMT
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Gross vehicle weight will be limited to 3.5t unless you passed your test before 1997 I think & then you are good upto 7.5t. Might be worth doing the test for 7.5t if you don't have that. You can also get Japanese step van's that will be a bit smaller
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Last Edit: Nov 12, 2020 21:49:30 GMT by joem83
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Nov 12, 2020 22:00:11 GMT
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Hadn't thought of Japanese, that might be a good shout!
Another option is the US School bus.
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Hadn't thought of Japanese, that might be a good shout! Another option is the US School bus. Wagyu burgers!?
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,339
Club RR Member Number: 84
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How about an old RV, air stream or even demountable camper in a pick up? Then you could customise the camper section without affecting the value of the pickup link
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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We've looked at Airstreams and they're quite pricey, particularly for something we're going to gut and modify!
There's a company doing reproduction ones which we've looked at - it's definitely a good option to go for, as it also allows us to use a different towing vehicle, meaning we don't have to rely on the step van's running gear.
You can't call someone up on their wedding day and say "Sorry bud, the car's not starting!"
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You can also get Japanese step van's that will be a bit smaller Toyota Quick Delivery Food VanMight need to up the budget for this one. 4WD too, for events held on wet grass...
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Last Edit: Nov 13, 2020 9:12:09 GMT by Flingstam
1991 Toyota Deliboy (RWD JDM LCV) - Now SOLD 1998 Lexus LS400 (RWD EUR VIP) - Also GONE 1989 Volvo 740 GLE (RWD EUR GLE)
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mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,948
Club RR Member Number: 77
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Nov 13, 2020 23:49:06 GMT
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Bring back the garbage fries I say Good luck with the food wagon hunt! Hopefully be able to have some of your fine food again soon merryck
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Ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 765
Club RR Member Number: 12
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I don't have too much to add except that it sounds like a great idea and good luck. I used these guys to import my Brat from the States. www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk/I can't recommend them enough, the whole process was painless and the price reasonable.
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I spoke to my insurer yesterday about using an Econoline van for business, the first question they asked was have you got experience with a LHD as a daily over here. Apparently only something they ask if you want business cover.
There is an importer who had a load of school buses in his yard in the States he is trading as South lakes speed shop over here. Buses need to go RoRo and you can't have any thing inside them. Likewise some of the bigger vans as they are too tall to go in a container.
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Nov 14, 2020 12:44:50 GMT
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Bring back the garbage fries I say Good luck with the food wagon hunt! Hopefully be able to have some of your fine food again soon merryck Once all this nonsense is over they’re coming back for sure!! We’ve currently got Ranch Fries, which are amazing and are definitely a strong contender for my new favourite!
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Nov 14, 2020 15:56:00 GMT
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Apparently this is s 1974 Commer which just appeared via F/B marketplace.... Think it ticks many a box!
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2014 - Audi A6 Avant 3.0Tdi Quattro 1958 - Chevrolet Apache Panel Truck 1959 - Plymouth Custom Suburban 1952 - Chevrolet 2dr Hardtop 1985 - Ford Econoline E350 Quadravan 2009 - Ovlov V70 2.5T 1970 - Cortina Mk2 Estate 2007 - Fiat Ducato LWB 120Multijet 2014 - Honda Civic 2.2 CTDi ES
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Nov 14, 2020 16:37:18 GMT
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Ooooh! Interesting!
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Nov 14, 2020 16:41:26 GMT
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That just about ticks every box. I'll drop the chap a message!
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