A container catering trailer is a road-legal catering unit built in the industrial style of a shipping container and mounted on a twin-axle braked chassis, so it is towed to site rather than craned into position. Chris Trailers builds them in Manchester from 3.5m to 7.0m long, each 2,200mm wide and 2,450mm high.
Container trailer or converted shipping container?
The difference is mobility. A converted 20ft shipping container is a static building. It needs a crane or HIAB to place, a site to stand on, and once it is down it stays there. A container catering trailer gives you the same industrial look and a comparable working footprint, but it hitches to a tow vehicle and moves to the next pitch under its own wheels.
That matters if you trade at festivals, markets and private events rather than from one fixed location. It also removes craneage, siting costs and the planning questions that come with putting up a permanent structure.
What comes with every container trailer
Every trailer we build leaves with a Certificate of Conformity, issued by us as the approved manufacturer. That is what makes it straightforward to register and legal to trade across Europe. Ask any manufacturer what paperwork comes with your trailer, and what happens if it does not.
As standard, every unit is built with a double sink with hot and cold water, water tanks and a 12V pump, ten LED lights to the ceiling and eight in the serving hatch, six sockets on a fused connection box, full road-legal signal lighting for brake, turn, reverse and fog, and 32amp hook-ups. All stainless steel used in the build is grade 304.
What a container trailer costs
There are two ways to buy. A new build to your specification starts at £16,200 plus VAT for a 3.5m trailer and runs to £23,200 plus VAT for a 7.0m, covering the trailer to standard specification before fit-out. The full size and price ladder is published further down this page.
A trailer already built and ready to collect is priced complete. Container stock currently runs from £25,300 to £31,800 including VAT, fitted out and ready to trade. Every available unit is listed with its dimensions, fit-out and price on the live stock list.
Key Features
- Double sink with hot/cold water
- Water tanks
- 12volt mini water pump with on/off control switch
- 10 LED lights on the ceiling
- 8 LED lights on the hatc
- 6 Sockets
- – Fuse/connecting box
- Lighting rope
- Signal lights(brake/turn/reverse/fog) –
- 2x 32amp electric circuits
- Water tanks
- 4 Al-Ko corner legs
- Stainless steel counters
- Double Al-ko axles
- Al-ko brake system
- Al-ko braked coupling hitch
- Free Rain Cover
Internal Features
External Led Light - £280
Gas Bottle Box - £270
Generator Box - £150
Push Out Counter - £640
Workbench Refrigerator
Power: 0.25 kw
Size: 1200x600x800mm/ £500
Size: 1500x600x800mm/ £600
Size: 1800x600x800mm/ £650
Size: 2000x600x800mm/ £700
Shelf Sliding Doors
L280 / £110
L340 / £130
Shelf Sliding Doors
L280 / £220
L340 / £270
Electric Hot Bain Marie - Glass Display
L 200mm / £850
L1400mm / £950
Sliding Door Cupboard
L280cm / £170
L340cm / £200
Range Hoods
2 Motors / £550
3 Motors / £750
Refrigerated Prep Counter £1320
Reclining Top Sign - £1300
Prices
| Length | External size (mm) | Base build price |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5m | 3500 × 2200 × 2450 | £16,200 + VAT |
| 3.8m | 3800 × 2200 × 2450 | £16,700 + VAT |
| 4.0m | 4000 × 2200 × 2450 | £17,200 + VAT |
| 4.5m | 4500 × 2200 × 2450 | £18,200 + VAT |
| 5.0m | 5000 × 2200 × 2450 | £19,200 + VAT |
| 5.5m | 5500 × 2200 × 2450 | £20,200 + VAT |
| 6.0m | 6000 × 2200 × 2450 | £21,200 + VAT |
| 6.5m | 6500 × 2200 × 2450 | £22,000 + VAT |
| 7.0m | 7000 × 2200 × 2450 | £23,200 + VAT |
Base build price covers the trailer to standard specification, before fit-out and optional extras. Trailers already built and ready to collect are listed with their full specification and price on the live stock list.
Container catering trailer questions
How much does a container catering trailer cost?
A new container catering trailer built to your specification starts at £16,200 plus VAT for a 3.5m unit and runs to £23,200 plus VAT for a 7.0m, covering the trailer before fit-out. Trailers already built and ready to collect are priced complete, currently £25,300 to £31,800 including VAT.
What is the difference between a container trailer and a shipping container conversion?
A shipping container conversion is a static building craned into position on a fixed site. A container catering trailer is built in the same industrial style but sits on a road-legal towable chassis, so it moves between events without craneage or siting costs.
What sizes do container catering trailers come in?
Chris Trailers builds container catering trailers in nine standard lengths from 3.5m to 7.0m, all 2,200mm wide and 2,450mm high. Longer units give more counter run and room for additional equipment such as extraction, a bain marie or a push-out counter.
Can a container trailer be used as a bar?
Yes. The container body suits bar use well, and units can be fitted with glass coolers, bottle fridges, a serving counter and a reclining top sign. The same shell is used for coffee, street food and bar builds — the difference is the internal fit-out.
What paperwork comes with a container catering trailer?
Every trailer leaves with a Certificate of Conformity, issued by Chris Trailers as the approved manufacturer. That is what makes registration straightforward and allows the trailer to be traded legally across Europe. Ask any manufacturer what paperwork comes with your build.
Do I need a special licence to tow a container catering trailer?
It depends on the trailer’s plated maximum authorised mass and your driving licence category. Licences issued after 1 January 1997 carry towing limits that larger units can exceed. Confirm the plated weight of the specific unit with us before committing to a size.
Looking at other options? Compare our Airstream catering trailers, catering pods and mobile bar trailers, or see everything in stock now.
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