I've been in contact with a couple of people who use Coffee Bella built products. Both the trailer and ute was built to a good standard. The operators are happy with the workmanship.
The K3 is not up to speed with multiple coffees. Demand the K6 or the Mazzer Jolly as the minimum standard.
They can help with finance too. Friendly and helpful to deal with.
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Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?
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Hi there - i'm sorry to drag up an old thread but just wondering if anyone here has ever dealt with Coffee Bella? I'm just about to give them the go ahead to build me a coffee van and just wanted to see if anyone here has a van or trailer from them.
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Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?
I have seen some carts/vans with specs where the waste water is larger than the fresh and in my experience I have never had an issue so I was just looking for the reason behind it. Come back shadow and fill me in!
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Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?
Best guess..
While some water wil be used. Add in milk, melting ice, washing suds etc etc.
If ya light on with water you can go and get some. Once ya waste backs up and starts frothing and overflowing... Potential clients remain just that. The people running the place may also have concerns with WHS and cleanness .
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Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?
Curious as to why?Originally posted by 627970757E66262524110 link=1286277678/12#12 date=1286978119Unless 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.
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Re: Mobile Coffee Trailer Specs - Any Good?
K-10 Conical
Faster than you.
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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.
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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-)
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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