Ice Cream Truck Van Conversion Cost: All You Need To Know

Ice cream on wheels is a profitable business. But before you earn a living, you must first invest in your ice cream truck. And whether you are buying a whole new ice cream truck or converting a used van into one, you can expect the cost to be hefty.

In this post, I’ll tell you how much it costs to convert a van into an ice cream truck, as well as other tips to help you work with your budget.

On average, the entire cost of transforming a van into an ice cream truck starts at $10,000 and can reach $100,000.   It may differ depending on factors such as extra equipment and maintenance.

Total Cost

The total cost of converting a van may vary depending on other factors like the van type and its condition. For example, the conversion cost will be different if you are converting a secondhand van due to possible repairs. 

The cost of your ice cream truck’s design will vary on size, van type, and your preferred design. Overall, the design cost can be around $2,000 to $5,000. While the freezers made for trucks can cost at most $1,500. 

Other additional expenses will include permits, which can cost at most $200, inventory, which will cost about $500, labor fees, which can cost $12 per hour, and maintenance, which starts at $1,000 per year. 

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Ways to Spend Less

Do you know the two options to keep a budget and always have money? It’s adding a zero or moving the decimal point. Just kidding. 

Of course, we can try to lessen the cost. There are several practical ways to reduce expenditures, and here they are:

1. Try Finding Good Deals – You can always find a good deal just like Tudor Catering Trailers’ ice cream van conversion deal. Their standard specification for an ice cream van costs no more than $8,500. And this specification already includes the following:

• Insulation
• Internal plywood lining
• Bulkhead partition
• Polyflor non-slip vinyl flooring
• Stainless steel satin counters
• White aluminum sheeting to walls, ceiling, and bulkhead
• An external gas point with a regulator
• Water system including 2 sinks, mixer tap, 240v water pump, accumulator, and LPG water Boiler
• 16amp electrics including double socket, (8 spotlights for short wheelbase, 10 x spotlights including inlet and fuse board
• Roof vent
• Essentials pack including 1st aid kit, fire extinguisher, water/waster container, and main cable

2. Take Good Care of Your Truck – Do regulate maintenance for your ice cream truck. In that way, you’ll reduce the chances of spending on large, expensive repairs.
3. Rent or Buy Second-Hand Equipment – Instead of buying all new equipment, you can try second-hand ones until you find out what equipment your ice cream truck needs. 
4. Buy in Bulk With Other Ice Cream Trucks – You can reduce expenses by buying particular ingredients or supplies in bulk with your neighboring ice cream truck operators.
5. Having a Menu That Focuses on Seasonal Ingredients – Choose fewer recipes that share some of the same ingredients, proteins, and seasonings. This, combined with using seasonal products, lowers your food truck’s expenses and waste.
6. Ask For Help – Starting a business is a real burden to your wallet. There’s no problem in getting help from your loved ones. This can help ease your expenses. You can also ask them to work temporarily in your ice cream truck.

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Trucks That are Popular for Conversion

As previously said, the type of van influences the overall cost of ice cream van conversion. That’s why you have to pick the right truck that has an advantage in terms of price and style.

Three types of trucks are commonly used for conversion, and here they are:

1. Step Van – This type of van is traditional and offers a lot of space, especially step vans from Ford, Chevrolet, and Workforce. 
2. School Bus – If you want to save a lot of money, a school bus is an excellent option. However, despite their low cost, they are inferior in terms of structure and base design to other types of vans.
3. High-Roof, Modern Large Van – This type of van is the most popular these days. And that’s because it’s more dependable, uses less fuel, and provides more adaptability.

In terms of design, you can opt for common, traditional iconography. You may, however, branch out and go for something eye-catching and Instagrammable. 

You can get inspiration from these ideas:

• Vintage – Vintage design easily attracts people for various reasons. You can check Emack & Bolio’s Ice Cream Truck for inspiration.
• Minimalist – Going simple and putting a lot of focus on your logo is also an effective route. See Dojo Gelato’s Ice Cream truck and Carmela Ice Cream truck for inspiration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the average cost of converting a van into an ice cream truck is at least $10,000 but the cost may be more depending on the type of van and its condition. 

You can spend less by doing things like finding good deals, taking care of your truck, using secondhand equipment, buying in bulk with other ice cream trucks, creating a menu that uses seasonal ingredients, and asking for assistance from your loved ones. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more on how to start your own ice cream/gelato business check out my startup documents here

This blog post is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.