Cost guide
Find the right build for your business—and your budget.
Compare starting prices for coffee trailers, mobile bars, vintage vehicles and custom commercial builds.
Whether you’re opening your first mobile business or adding an amenity to an established property, The Hudson Trailer Company helps you understand the investment and choose where it matters most.
Pricing updated October 2026.
A starting price is the beginning of your plan.
Your final investment brings together the platform, equipment, finishes and features your business needs.
The tables below distinguish the starting build price from typical finished pricing where a range is available. For a custom project, we develop your estimate around the individual vehicle and agreed scope.
Coffee trailer and mobile bar pricing.
Choose a 14-foot or 17-foot trailer, then select the equipment and details that make it yours.
| Trailer | Starting price | Typical finished build | Typical build time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-foot coffee trailer | $46,000 | $56,000–$78,000 | 16–20 weeks |
| 17-foot coffee trailer | $48,000 | $65,000–$85,000 | 16–20 weeks |
| 14-foot bar trailer | $46,000 | $52,000–$65,000 | 16–20 weeks |
| 17-foot bar trailer | $48,000 | $56,000–$70,000 | 16–20 weeks |
| Teardrop Bar Trailer | $24,000 | Quoted around your selections | Confirm with your proposal |
| Tiny Tap Trailer | $26,000 | Quoted around your selections | Confirm with your proposal |
The right size depends on your equipment, storage, staff and service style. We’ll help you compare the options around how you intend to operate.
Vintage vehicles and specialty builds.
A distinctive vehicle can become a central part of your brand. These projects are priced around the platform, its condition and the commercial space we create inside it.
| Platform | Starting price | Typical build time |
|---|---|---|
| Small two-horse trailer conversion | $35,000 | 12–16 weeks |
| Large three-horse trailer conversion | $60,000 | 12–16 weeks |
| Tuk tuk or Cushman Truckster | $35,000 | 3–4 months |
| Piaggio Ape conversion | $45,000 | 16–20 weeks |
| Gas Kei mini truck conversion | $45,000 | 16–20 weeks |
| Electric mini truck | Quoted per project | Vehicle lead time and build schedule confirmed separately |
| Shipping container conversion | $95,000 | 12–20 weeks |
| Vintage step van conversion | $120,000 | 4–6 months |
| Airstream conversion | $150,000 | 4–6 months |
Most finished vintage step van projects range from $120,000 to $155,000. Container projects can exceed $150,000 when the scope includes substantial engineering or additional features.
For electric mini trucks, allow approximately 16–20 weeks for the truck itself before the custom build begins.
What’s included in a base coffee or bar trailer?
Our 14-foot and 17-foot base trailers already include the core workspace and utility systems.
From there, you choose the appliances, equipment and design upgrades that suit your business.
- Custom powder-coated frame with heavy-duty axle
- Electric trailer lighting and brakes
- Stainless hand sink and three-compartment sink with drainboards
- Water heater, pump, and fresh and wastewater tanks
- 30-amp electrical system with outlets
- Recessed interior lighting on a dimmer
- White FRP interior wall paneling
- Sealed butcher block countertops
- Closed under-counter cabinetry
- Large concession service window
- Front and rear opening windows
- Baby Moon hubcaps
Put your budget into what matters to your business.
Equipment that supports your menu.
Espresso machines, refrigeration, draft systems and other appliances affect both the price and the layout. We help you select a combination that supports your service without filling the space with equipment you won’t use.
Finishes that make the build yours.
Paint, graphics, cabinetry, counters, lighting and architectural details shape the customer’s first impression. You can keep the presentation simple or develop a more distinctive branded interior and exterior.
The right vehicle and preparation.
Vintage projects vary with the vehicle’s condition and the work required before the commercial fit-out. We assess the individual platform when developing the scope and estimate.
Features that need additional development.
Custom openings, fold-out elements and other structural changes add design and fabrication work. We establish those requirements as part of your proposal.
Requirements for your operating location.
Your menu and local approval requirements can influence sinks, tanks, ventilation, electrical capacity and layout. Addressing these early helps define the build you actually need.
Remember to plan beyond the build.
Your opening budget should also account for transport, permits, insurance, initial inventory and other business expenses.
Delivery is quoted separately. We can guide you toward transport companies to discuss collection and delivery arrangements.
If you’re comparing coffee business concepts, our free calculator lets you explore your own sales, operating costs and potential margins.
Hospitality and community projects.
For clubs, hotels and developers, the scope may include a mobile bar, commercial kitchen, retail space, restroom trailer or several complementary units.
We quote each project around its intended use, platform, equipment and finish requirements. For multiple units, we define the individual builds and overall scope together so you can budget clearly.
How much does a coffee trailer cost?
How much does a mobile bar trailer cost?
Which builds have the lowest starting prices?
Does the starting price include equipment?
Can I get a price before committing?
How long will my build take?
Is delivery included?
Let’s make your budget work toward the right build.
Tell us your concept, what you plan to serve or sell and the investment you have in mind. We’ll help you explore a direction that fits.