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Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

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  • Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

    Hi guys

    First post on this forum - hope Ive put it in the right spot!

    I am looking to invest in a mobile coffee trailer.  Thought about the van idea, but since I already have a vehicle capable of towing a trailer, I thought I would go with the cheaper option.  My thinking is that if it doesnt go well, I can flog the trailer a bit easier than a fully kitted-out van.

    My main targets (customers ) will be construction sites, industrial areas, and events.  I want something small enough to be agile, but large enough to handle medium-sized events (I live in an outlying suburb and will be catering to things like horse riding shows, fetes, and of course the footy and cricket matches).

    Ive exhausted my Google searching to find manufacturers for trailers, and looks like Coffee Bella comes up trumps - in fact, it seems to be the ONLY manufacturer (please tell me if Im wrong - particularly if anyone knows of a manufacturer in WA!).  Im not particularly handy, so outfitting my own trailer isnt an option.

    Ive attached the specs below for the "small walk-in trailer" and would love your comments on the gear and price - is it reasonable, and would it be enough for my needs?  Especially interested in comments about the espresso machine - any good?

    Price is $33K GST inclusive.

    Another point is that I need it to have room to make juices or smoothies or iced coffees - it gets pretty hot here and summer wont be just for coffee - does this look like it has enough room for a machine?

    Thanks everyone - dont be afraid to be honest!

    *note* - Ive tried attaching the PDF original document with pics etc, but it is apparently too large (1.5 MB).  I can send this through to anyone who wants to see it - I can only attach the trailer layout.

    Geoff

    Walk In Trailer
    Walk In Coffee Trailer ( 2100 x 1500 )
    This walk in trailer is designed to allow you to cater for events, road side, parks
    and markets selling fresh coffee, drinks and snacks from the comfort of your own
    work area, standing on the inside serving customers on the outside.
    • Solid 2100 x 1500 single axle trailer
    • Solid metal undercarriage with heavy duty gear
    • 3 x Mag Wheels
    • Finish in either white fiberglass or painted metal
    • Checkerplate aluminium in “stone chip” zones
    • Serving counters and lockable hatches on the footpath side and the rear
    • Personal door on drivers side – fully lockable with insect screen
    • Benches on three sides
    • Stainless Steel Finish to all work benches, 304 food grade stainless, No. 4 finish.
    • All benches with splashback up against walls
    • 1 x Coffee Machine – Diamond Prima – Italian two group commercial machine
    • 1 x Compak k-3 elite grinder
    • 1 x Engel 57 litre milk fridges ( 12 volt ) Hold 11 x 2 litre milk each – mounted under bench
    • 1 x 60 EvaKool Fridge Freezer
    • 2 x cup dispensers mounted under the bench
    • 1 x side stainless steel sink 240mm x 140mm mounted in stainless steel bench
    • 1 x stainless tap to sink delivering pressurized water
    • 1 x pre-filter before water pump
    • 1 x fine filter before coffee machine
    • 1 x external water fill point with key
    • 1 x digital water level meter on main water tank
    • 1 x 80 litre Fresh Water Tank mounted under trailer
    • 1 x waste tank 40 litre receiving waste from coffee machine and sinks – with air breather
    • 1 x under trailer tap to empty waste water
    • 1 x 3kva Honda EU30i generator
    • 1 x roof mounted whirly birds
    • Complete 240 volt Electrical circuits all to Australian standards
    • Power board with earth leakage circuit protection
    • 1 x external weather proof power plug
    • 1 x 20m 15 amp extension lead
    • Complete 12 volt electrical system ( operates milk fridge, lights, water pump ) with ….
    1 x 100 amp hour deep cycle battery,
    1 x CTEK battery charger
    1 x water pump
    4 x ultra bright flouro lights
    • 2 x steam jugs
    • 1 x tamp


  • #2
    Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

    Hi geoffro and welcome to CS.

    I wont pretend to know anything about setups like this, but I do know that fridge capacity seems mighty small!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

      Just my thoughts on serving from a trailer it while having everything contained in a tow and go package is great it has some problems.

      Cant get inside some venues so you will miss some jobs. Detachment from the customers as you are staring down from them from above. Very cosy if 2 of you are trying to move around.

      Seriously look at a cart with good trailer unless you are wanting to move it several times a day and then the vans are used for a good reason.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

        Hi guys -

        Thanks for the replies. I agree with you about the fridge - it does seem awfully small. Would definitely go for a larger capacity.

        Beanflyin, can you explain a bit more of what you mean about a cart with a good trailer? Are you talking about a coffee cart that is carried about on a standard trailer?

        Geoff

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

          From what Ive read you can get standard trailers modified to securely load a coffee cart.
          Search google for "coffee cart trailer" for a better explanation.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

            Hi Thundergod (and everyone else)

            Cool, will do. Can you all please explain how this would be an improvement on the walk-in trailer idea? Is it a bit more agile and more customer-friendly?

            What sort of jobs would one miss out on if they were using the bigger trailer (besides office work, which Im not aiming for)?

            Thanks for all your input - it really helps!

            Geoff

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

              if you are keen on a trailer more than a cart setup in a trailer...

              For me, the best trailer set ups are the ones where the barista is on the ground using the door as a canopy. a good one i saw a while back had 3 doors open one with coffee gear etc one side for cold drink display and one side for food and storage,

              standing inside a tin trailer with lots of heat generating equipment not so much fun in summer.

              This sort of tailer will normally be much smaller than one you can stand in aswell.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?





                This sort of thing. Also while you may not want office gigs there is money in indoor sporting gigs, art openings and a whole lot of other situations where a trailer simply wont go. Even the local markets the cart will fit in better and presents better to the customer than a trailer.

                Some info here on milk/coffee ratios that might help with the fridge answer http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1265938570/0

                Another more general ramblings on mobile coffee http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1270821027/0

                Lastly your 3kVa gen set is to small you really will need a 5 or even 6 kVa. Grinders need 3 times running load to start well plus 3kW of boiler and your at least 1kVa short.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                  The list had batteries so maybe the generator is just for topping up the batteries? I would steer away from batteries though as they are expensive and need replacing every two years or so, where as a decent generator if not used a lot (which I imagine you probably wont) will last years. Do a search for coffee carts australia and that will give you a lot of pictures to look at for ideas.

                  Cheers

                  Brett

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                    As the owner of such a coffee cart and trailer Id like to offer some perspective in comparison to a trailer setup.

                    The positives are that you are at the same level as your customer. Interaction is much easier.
                    The negatives:
                    Setup time and effort is huge. It often takes me 45 minutes from arrival to ready to trade, with two people.
                    The cart only allows for a small fresh and dirty water tank, so carting water is frequent and labourious.
                    You are very exposed to the elements unless you have a marquee, which increases setup time and effort.
                    Things such as grinders, consumables and other accessories need to be stored outside the cart as access is not easy without unloading the entire thing off the trailer. So that makes more loading and unloading to and from your car or van before during and after your event.
                    Most carts require a hard surface to maneuver on. So a grassy or unsealed dirt area is gonna make it difficult. 

                    Carts are great and have their place but if you intend on being at a different site each time, I wouldnt go for a cart. 

                    -ACog

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                      I also own a cart and can 100% agree with ACog, there are cart options which will allow you to operate from the ground. You may just have to think outside the square a little.

                      Also any trailer manufacturer can make this for you, it is just up to you to come up with the design. Might take a bit of extra work but it will save you a packet.

                      Cheers

                      Brett

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                        Hi all

                        Thanks so much for your input. Im putting quite a bit of thought into the pros and cons of this venture. Not so sure a coffee cart will do the job for me at this juncture, but will have a hunt around and see what I can find out about the cost and functionality of the cart vs trailer.

                        If I have any more queries, I will definitely post another question - your support has been fantastic! 8-)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                          My wife and I operate a mobile espresso van here in the states and I will gladly address a few issues I see.

                          -Even though I like the Compak grinders I question whether the K-3 can keep up with a 2 group machine when really cranking out lots of drinks.
                          -It appears your fresh water tank is TWICE the size of the waste tank. Unless part of that fresh water is being used to make ice and draining under the trailer, you always want a larger waste tank than fresh water capacity.
                          -Also agree you need more power to run. We have a 2 group NS Aurelia (4500 watts), 3 grinders, an icemaker, 2 commercial blenders, an overhead Carrier AC unit, full size refrigerator, 2.5 gal hot water heater, fluorescent lighting, 3 water pumps and a few other things and it takes everything this generator cranks out when all of this fires up simultaneously. Add up total combined power usage and get something rated maybe 15-20% higher than that. Also go with a propane fired generator if possible as they run a bit quieter, more efficiently and cleaner burning for less smell.
                          -Your external power lead needs to be much higher than 15 am capacity. We have a 220v/50 amp connection when plugged in.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                            K-10 Conical
                            Faster than you.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?

                              Originally posted by 627970757E66262524110 link=1286277678/12#12 date=1286978119
                              Unless part of that fresh water is being used to make ice and draining under the trailer, you always want a larger waste tank than fresh water capacity.
                              Curious as to why?

                              Comment

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