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> 1980 2000
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> Soft serve ice cream truck - 1984 chevy P20 step van
Soft serve ice cream truck - 1984 chevy P20 step van
The truck itself is a 1984 Chevy P20 Step Van. I purchased it in 2003 with approximately 50,000 miles on it. It now has 67,400 miles. You really do not rack up many miles selling in local neighborhoods.
In 2006 I replaced the engine with a Jasper engine Diesel 6.2 liter rebuilt. It has run faithfully ever since. It has had regular Oil changes. I have not had any engine problems since the change.
I rebuilt the transmission 2007.
It has a NEW starter and the Alternator was replaced in 2008 The Batteries are new in 2010 and the brakes were redone in 2007.
Last summer (2009) I replaced the back tires. I believe the front tires were replaced in 2007.
Without the generator running, it can go about 350 miles on a tank (30+ Gallons) at highway speeds. With the generator running (they draw out of the same tank) it goes about 3 days.
The truck has a few dings and dents mostly low on the sides and one on the right front corner. It would cost around 1000 to repair them all. It also is about ready for a new paint job and new exterior decorations.
I have two large removable sign boards for the menu and to display Novelty Bar Stickers.
The truck will run down the interstate at 60 miles an hour faster down hill J
My best selling area Milford CT was 20 miles from my home and I drove back and forth daily with no problems.
However, if you are going to take it a long distance say more then 300 miles I would suggest you have it hauled. The weight it carries with the generator, the Ice cream machine, etc are more than the truck should carry for long distances. You will burn up the transmission too quickly.
If you purchase the truck, you must make arrangements to have it hauled or come and get it yourself.
This has been a good match. It is a three phase generator. It produces 3 - 110 legs which can be combined into 110 220 or 3 phase. I use 110 for almost everything except the Soft Serve machine which is 3 phase. I have an elaborate electrical setup so I can plug the entire truck into the garage. I have a 3 phase converter for power at home. If set up correctly, the generator can back feed the house and work as an auxiliary generator even when the truck has stock in it.
The generator has a series of sensors to make sure it is running correctly. It will shut down if it gets to hot, has a dead battery, etc. In order to keep the heat down on the generator, I put on a supplemental sensor driven fan which kicks on if the generator gets above about 190. The fan will shut off when the temperature goes back down. While it is running, it draws lots of 12 volt power. Due to that, I have replaced the alternator on the generator last year and just put in two new batteries for the generator. I also replaced the muffler on the generator last year.
Generally speaking I change the oil in the truck and generator twice a season. Tires last about 5 years.
The primary piece of equipment is the soft serve machine. It is a Taylor 754 High Volume, two tank three flavor machine. This means it produces two flavors and then has a mixing chamber for a twist cone of both flavors combined. I usually run Vanilla, Chocolate and the twist.You may, of course, choose any flavor you wish. The High Volume means it has the capacity to run almost continuously. (I have had lines that lasted 4 hours with no problems from it). This machine was purchased used (two years old) in 2003. It has run very well since requiring very little maintenance. Taylor Freezer of CT has my records and will pass them on to you if you ask. You should plan to have it maintained by them (or one of their local affiliates). If you wish, you may purchase a service plan from Taylor - check with them on the price. I spoke to their technician last fall about the machine and he said I can expect 7 to 10 years or more before it would need replacement. NOTE: a brand new soft serve machine costs more than I am asking for the truck!
As you may have guessed, refrigeration is a major part of the truck. My truck has both Soft Serve and Novelty Bar Ice Cream. For this you need refrigeration for the Soft Serve mix, the candies and flurry makings, as well as the Novelty Bars.
I have the following refrigeration equipment
A Sears chest deep freeze Purchased NEW in 2003. Works fine
A 24 inch apartment sized refrigerator purchased new in 2003. This piece is temperamental as external temperatures affect its performance. I am constantly adjusting its setting to keep parts from freezing or getting to warm. You should plan to replace this soon. It should but I will not promise get you through the first season.
A 30 under counter refrigerator used for mix and anything else I can stick in. This piece was new two summers ago (2008). It is a True commercial refrigerator and works perfectly. (This piece cost $1300.00)
2 Carvel counter top freezers.
I have three air conditioners in the truck.
Heat is both your enemy and your friend in the Ice Cream business. Think of the truck as a tin box that sits in the sun. It has very little or no insulation. As such, it requires massive amounts of Air Conditioning. Remember, it is also full of refrigeration equipment that throws off heat. The other problem is that if you are selling well (hot days) you have a large window open letting in hot air. Even with all three air conditioners working at full blast, on hot days you will wish you had more. The major advantage of having so many is you can use what you wish and only what you wish. Remember also that the air conditioners help keep the refrigerators and freezers working at optimal temperatures.
The first is a 20,000 BTU unit on the roof that runs off the front diesel motor. This unit has just had a new compressor put on it last season. Somewhere it has a small refrigerant leak. I have to recharge it at the start of the season. It will need recharged at the start of the new season maybe your mechanic can find the leakJ When I put on the new compressor I sized it so there is enough capacity to run a second roof top unit. The new alternator is also sized to handle the load.
Coleman Roof top 110 Volt unit.
I have a 5000 btu window unit hanging in the back of the truck. It is a cheap Home Depot unit selling for around 100 dollars. I run it all the time day and night to keep the temperature down in the truck when it is not on the road. It also helps when out selling.
Other food related equipment that comes with the truck.
2. Sprinkle Machines - I have two (2) rotary spinners or sprinkle machines. I use these to put on rainbow or chocolate sprinkles. There are also other flavors/colors or you could use them for nuts.
3. Dip Warmer - I just purchased a Server two pot dip warmer last season. Carrying dip in a moving vehicle is a little odd but this machine worked very well. I have been carrying Chocolate and Cherry flavored dip.
4. Malt/shake Mixer - I have a 1 shaft malt mixer. It can make malts, shakes or smoothies.
5. Hot Fudge Pot I have a Server one pot hot fudge pot. I do not have a pump, I just use a ladle.
6. Containers I have a large stock of Plastic containers, syrup bottles, etc that come with the truck.
The truck is set up to pass most local health department codes. It has passed the State of Connecticut Frozen Desert license, and local health departments of Bridgeport, Milford and Fairfield CT. You should check your local requirements to be sure it will pass in your area.
The Truck has a 22 gallon PVC tank for water storage. It has a 30 Gallon tank for waste water. It has a 5 gallon Electric Hot Water tank which is usually way more than I need. Make sure you drain the tanks completely prior to winter storage. I have a parking spot that has a sewer drop so I just attach a hose and drain the waste tank in minutes.
The truck has two separate sound systems. There is a radio/CD player with speakers for the driver inside the truck. This system is about 8 years old and was in place when I purchased the truck.
It also has outside speakers/horns (2) that run off a PA system. With this system, you can use a Microphone, a Radio/CD player, or a 32 tune music box. (All of these, are included with the truck). I usually use the CD player and an Ice Cream Truck music CD (also included).
I mentioned the three phase converter. It is a rotary dynamic 15 horse 3 phase converter. I installed it shortly after I purchased the truck in 2003. It runs like a trouper. It comes with the truck. It is shown in the last picture - the top left box is part of it, the top right is my Breaker panel and doen't come with the truck. I have never had any problems with it. If you have 3 phase power and do not want it, either you can sell it or we can negotiate a lower price. It cost me about $800.00 new I think.
I use two cords to plug into the garage one for the 3 phase and one for the rest of the electrical in the truck. This second cord carries 3 legs of 110 to the truck. It can be 3 phase or not it does not matter. Each cord is about 20 feet long.
The truck has a 3 phase distribution - breaker - box and a 3 phase shut off to disconnect the generator from the system. You need this in order to plug into external power.
There are outside lights on the truck enough to sell after dark if you wish.
When I purchased the truck, I had no one to show me anything so I basically did a learn by experiment . I am a quick learner but I made many mistakes. To assist you in setting up your business I am including two things:
1. On Site setup and training Up to 30 hours of set up and training at no charge for my time. All you need to pay is my travel expenses. I expect to do the following at this time:
a. Install and wire the 3 phase converter (you must already have available 220 service in the near vicinity). I am not a licensed Electrician. You might want to have one to get permits, etc. as well as to check my work.
b. Show you how to set up, tear down, clean and run (including how to make cones) the Taylor 754 machine.
c. Explain how to switch from the generator to the 3 phase converter and back.
d. Explain the water, waste, etc. systems
g. Show how to make Floats, Flurry s, Shakes, Sundaes, and Banana Splits (if you plan to sell them).
h. Demonstrate how to use the dip and sprinkle machines.
j. Help you set up financial software.
a. Call me anytime for anything from quick questions to detailed explanations.
b. I carry my cell phone all the time so I am usually available.
The money from selling Ice cream is good at times and bad at others. Let me start by explaining my personal situation:
a. This means that I don t start selling Ice Cream until after school hours.
b. I don t start full days in the summer until around June 25th When our school year ends.
c. It also means that I have an independent, reliable, and fairly large alternate income.
a. I start selling around April 15th depending on the weather.
b. I sell after school and weekends until school lets out June 20th to June 25th varies from year to year.
c. In the summer I sell from about 11:00 A.M. until Dark
d. In the fall I usually end my season around Oct 1st.
e. Using that routine I Gross about $50,000
f. Remember I said Gross. After sales tax, Gas (Diesel), Repairs, Upgrades, supplies and product I usually keep around 30 Percent. That varies wildly from year to year depending mostly on repairs and weather.
a. I sell on the Gold Coast of Connecticut but I live in the poorest city in the region.
b. Depending on the weather I can expect the following:
i. Non Holiday weekend day doing house to house $700.00
ii. Holiday Weekend doing house to house up to $1100.00
iv. Special Event One Day 6 hours of selling Up to $1600.00
v. Afterschool/evening $300 to $400
c. I have had many days where I attained these numbers, but, if it rains or is very windy, I may not make anything. I usually do not go out if it is cold and raining.
e. In our area, the numbers fall off fast in August. July, however, is great. Some years, I have grossed over $25,000 in July alone.
4. Things you can do to improve on my Income
i. I was the only driver. If I took a day off or had other commitments - such as teaching the truck produced no money. Try to find a second driver to split the time with. It also helps if you do have another job.
ii. Get out there during business hours and hit the small businesses. They love you and are good for an extra $200 or more a day. This was income I could not get to due to my other profession.
iii. Start earlier in the season and run later in the fall. Or better yet if you are in a sunshine state run year round.
i. As I am a school teacher myself, I can not get to the schools before they close. You can pick up 100 to 250 per day just going to the schools in a large town. Especially if they stagger their dismissal.
i. If you can get to more special events, they are a cash cow. However, remember that many of them require a fee some charge a percentage but most use a flat up front fee. If you get a rainout, you may not get it back.
i. Depending on your area these are real gold.
ii. If you do sell at ball parks
1. Check local regulations to make sure it is legal
2. Many little league teems have their own sales booths and a non-competition clause with the city so no one else may sell there.
a. Many teams post their schedules on the internet.
i. Many localities have special beach permits. Check your local requirements.
ii. Weather is even more important if you sell at the beaches.
iii. I don t recommend that you just park at a beach although this can work you will find you make more money if you move around - either from beach to beach or mixed with house to house.
i. Some of my best sales came from Day Camps. I used to make around $400 per day in the early summer afternoons when neighborhoods were dead just from Day Camps
1. You are MAKING the ice cream. If it causes someone to get sick you can be sued for millions.
2. Set up your business so they can not go after your personal assets. An LLC works fine.
4. Last year I think my product liability with a million dollar limit cost me around $650
b. Health Codes Storage and cleaning
i. In my state there are specific requirements for the cleaning and storage of your equipment products, supplies, and truck You need to check with your state and local health department to get your local requirements:
i. Most localities have a health department which charges a fee for a permit - mine was around $100 but it varies from city to city
ii. Connecticut has a state permit for frozen confections from the state department of comsumer protection
iii. Most localities also have a police department vending Licensee which costs me around $100 per season
ii. You will need to purchase Novelty Bars and Mix to get started. That is probably all you will need except for a few things that I was out of at the end of the season.
3. A Taylor 754 Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
4. A 15 Horse 3 phase converter
11. 1 under counter True refrigerator
12. 1 24 inch apartment sized refrigerator
15. 1 PA - sound system w external speakers/horns
17. 2 Carvel counter top freezers
18. 2 air conditioners (not counting the one on the truck motor)
19. Paper supplies and candies
22. Some spare parts for the 754 soft serve machine.
23. The Brain Freeze name (printed on the truck you are free to change it)
I invite you do come to Bridgeport and inspect the truck. Call me at (***)-556-2708 to arrange a time. I have lots of extra pics of both the inside and the outside of the truck. Email me at ****@aol.com for more pics or for questions.
I have started selling for the season. The truck passed local inspections and is fully permitted. If you desire to "Ride Along" just call me and ask.
