[aladeg]

Hi there - preparing for the upcoming season and need additional space for hauling and handling jobs in multiple locations.  I am looking at a 6x12' enclosed trailer with a ramp (has transitions to bridge the gaps between the ramp and the floor, and the ramp and the ground so theoretically should making rolling things on and off easier).  I'm really wanting something without an engine - a second truck/van will be a two-or three-year-out purchase, just not ready to make that investment right now so specifically looking for feedback on a trailer set-up.  

Any experience/thoughts/words of caution or wisdom?  

I just read a comment about a preference for a liftgate truck as you can only use a ramp for 2-wheeled carts, which I hadn't considered and has now made me thing I better ask around before I make this purchase.  Trailer will have a 6' ramp which isn't a particularly steep slope so was thinking it shouldn't really be different than going up and down a small hill with the vehicle, but perhaps there is something I'm not considering?  My thought was wheeled carts & dollies, with cambuckle straps to secure.

We're primarily transporting 'bulk' food items & plating/prettying on-site - some things like dessert bites are done ahead but have never really had much issue (and we drive down a wicked-steep hill every time we leave our kitchen).  But I'd also like to be able to wheel off racks of glassware, etc, and now questioning if I'll have problems.

Any advice/input about issues you may have had using this set-up, pros/cons, would be much appreciated.  Also - if you have any advice on 'essential transportation equpiment', we'd love that too.  Many thanks!

 

[aladeg]

I appreciate all the thoughts, gives me a few more things to consider.  Thanks!

Y'all have very different (and much larger) businesses than me - we live in rural PA, so no underground blockades here, and we primarily cater for groups of 30-150.   In general, we're pulling into a large parking lot & among the first to arrive so while it's absolutely a consideration, I'm not so over-concerned about the size/ramp constraints.  I went back through & only found a small handful of jobs that a trailer would have been a major issue (and obviously we have another option, albeit not as convenient).  

I am looking at a new, 6x12 with an extra 6" interior height, also has a side door, standard vehicle can tow.  They don't cost enough new to consider buying used.  It's $5,000 out the door with all the bells and whistles - I can pay cash for that.  A truck right now is a bit more overhead than I'm ready to take on.  Not to mention the financing since I'm only 2 years in business -  I have a feeling the interest rate would be through the roof. That said, I just came across a 2011 Chevy Express Cube Van with a lift gate for under $15,000 and now I'm thinkin' I should research that option a little further as that price point would be feasible.  Things to think about.