VW BUS FOOD TRUCK
Volkswagen started producing their iconic van in 1950. Vans produced from 1950 are known as Volkswagen T1 and those made after 1967 are officially the Volkswagen T2.
Although a lot changed over the years and depending on where they were made, the impact of those modifications and improvements is minimal in what matters most to a VW Bus food truck – the looks.
VOLKSWAGEN (MINI)BUS FOOD TRUCK
Buying a VW Bus Food Truck -
What Are My Options?
What matters is drawing the crowds, and the cult classic of America’s most popular hippy bus certainly has that effect!
Karpatia Trucks offers several options for a VW bus food truck conversion:
- An original vintage food truck conversion of a T1, T2 or any other vintage volkswagen van;
- An Asian (Chinese or Vietnam built) replica;
- A higher quality replica we build in Europe.
- A relatively new 2005-2014 built model sourced from Volkswagen Brazil
All options can be painted in any combination of RAL colors, a custom vinyl wrap with design and logo with a variety of options for opening the roof and service windows.
ORIGINAL VINTAGE VW BUS FOOD TRUCK CONVERSION - PRICE ON REQUEST
Karpatia offers fully restored, high quality VW vans.
You can have us source your Volkswagen or if you have found one yourself, bring it to us or tell us where it is so we can fly/drive out and have a look. Initial inspections are free for qualified buyers but if you send us on repeat expeditions, we’ll start to charge you.
Volkswagen T1 and T2 vans were also mass produced in Brazil and Mexico and we have connections with exporters in both those countries.
Original vintage food truck restorations are priced and quoted once we have a firm idea of the condition of the original.
STATIC VW FOOD TRUCKS
static bus
Vintage food truck restorations are significantly less comprehensive, expensive and time consuming when the engine, brakes, and other mechanical items can be left out of the conversion and restoration process.
For mall operators, hotels, and other customers with a fixed location for their VW bus food truck a static bus can be the perfect solution. All the looks of a classic VW without any of the pains of maintenance and car insurance.
How do I transport my static bus?
You must transport your engine-less bus on a trailer. We recommend a dual axle utility trailer.
PRACTICAL ADVICE ON USING A VW BUS FOOD TRUCK
Any model Volkwagen has limited storage space making it less ideal as a concession vending unit if there is no easy way to resupply when you run out.
If your concession stand is a fixed location (e.g. in a mall) that you regularly resupply it will be a-OK.
If you plan to vend in public areas or commercial spaces open to the public and have to make a long drive from your commissary to your vending location and back, we recommend a different model such as a step van or airstream food truck.
DO'S
The VW bus food truck is ideally suited to event catering or as a functional piece of decor for your event venue, restaurant, hotel, or mall.
Great products to serve from a VW food truck are drinks, sweets, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream, tacos, or wraps.
DO'S
If you are going to serve pizza in a VW bus food truck, do not do it without a separate pizza (oven) trailer. We do not recommend using a VW bus food truck for serving fries and other deep fried products that require multiple fryers. We do not recommend using a VW bus food truck for barbecue without a separate barbecue trailer.
It is important to note many states require a “food truck” as defined in their public concession vending permits or even specifically food truck permits to be able to move under their own power.
Even if this is the case and we therefore refit a vintage Volkswagen food truck for you to be a fully functioning DOT approved car, it is still advisable to travel longer distances with the unit on a trailer.
NEW CITROEN H VAN - PREMIUM FOOD TRUCK
Using a new Citroen Sprinter or Dodge RAM ProMaster as the base and applying cosmetic paneling, we are able to recreate the classic look of a type h van using a fully modern truck profile as the base.
The biggest advantage in doing this is the singular reliability of the van, allowing you to not only pass the DOT/DMV/MOT but to also have a significantly reduced worry about engine trouble when driving and being able to ditch the trailer, operating as a fully independent truck.
Another advantage is that a lease on the van itself can be obtained at much lower interest rates than for equipment financing as is done for food trucks.
extra services
pre-configured
It might be your first VW Bus Food Truck, but it’s not ours. From coffee to wine to flowers, we have a basic plan to get you rolling quicker.
financing
No cash, no problem! Get pre-qualified by our finance partners or see if we can negotiate a more affordable loan option through our financing assistance.
website included
Learn More →We include our deluxe Food Truck Website package with any purchase of a VW food truck, allowing you to shine as brightly online as offline.
For more information about VW bus food trucks or to request a free quote, call us anytime at 404-999-1864 or fill out the form on our contact page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUTVW BUS FOOD TRUCKS
Learn more in our knowledge center ►If you have a MOT (RDW/TÜV or other local) pass then yes. Even the old-timers can be driven road legally. Replicas can not be driven legally on the road unless loaded on a trailer.
That you can legally drive them on the road does not mean you SHOULD. Classic restored old-timers will incur high maintenance costs if you start driving them commercially for tens of thousands of miles every year and it is our recommendation that you are still better to put them on a trailer.
Yes, of course! When restoring an original van to working condition as a catering van one of the biggest things to start off a quality build with is sourcing a good used vehicle. If you’ve already found one that is great and we are happy to assess the works needed to get it back in shape.