17 replies to this topic

[mullet]

Hi community.

 

Fold-out "food truck" system from the rooftop (and other equipment in the car/boot). To explain...

 

OK, a little bit of an odd topic.  But I am researching setting up a small food truck type business.  But with limited resources forcing me to be imaginative, I am giving some thought to using my mini (<a marketing prop in itself, living in France but food is going to be English-centric).  And I wonder if anyone has ever done such projects before?

 

To be clear: I do not want to modify my mini in anyway at all.  And I have no storage space (for example, I can't have anything to tow).  Maybe if successful, I could change this.  But not for the moment.

 

Rather, taking some inspiration from how people go camping (with amazing tent systems on top of the roof!), it got me thinking that I could do a fold-out system from the roof (and other equipment in the car/boot).  Weighted heavily by the car itself, it could give a canape and structure.  I'm a reasonable handyman, so a fold-out system that detaches and is wheeled into my terraced house is within my capabilities.

 

There's a lot of redtape here in France, so I am likely to have to present blueprints of what I am thinking.  Ideally, someone who has done something similar could really help the rubberstampers see my vision.

 

A weird topic, but hope it generates a little discussion here :)

 

Many thanks!

[beardylondon]

Firstly to say, I love minis, as otherwise I wouldn’t be on here!

Secondly don’t use a classic mini, I read you don’t want to modify your vehicle, I have altered my original post, but I would choose a different and bigger vehicle for food

I hired this guy below, who is great, but for our event we needed something different, so he didn’t bring his mini, but he told me it was very expensive to do, and that’s just coffee!

https://www.minibeancoffee.com/

Edited by beardylondon, 26 April 2026 - 11:03 AM.

[mullet]

Firstly to say, I love minis, as otherwise I wouldn’t be on here!

Secondly don’t use a classic mini, I read you don’t want to modify your vehicle, I have altered my original post, but I would choose a different and bigger vehicle for food

I hired this guy below, who is great, but for our event we needed something different, so he didn’t bring his mini, but he told me it was very expensive to do, and that’s just coffee!

https://www.minibeancoffee.com/

Thanks for your reply.  I would need very little equipment for my idea (English muffins/hot muffin sandwich idea, rather than being too diverse).  As opposed lots of food options.  Ideally something bigger is definitely better, but for market research I thought starting small like this since I will remain local - at first, at least.  Great to see the minibean business.  The car itself is a useful prop and just what I am thinking.  Now, if only I can have it all fold out from a kind of roofbox...

Edited by mullet, 26 April 2026 - 02:46 PM.

[MiniFanGraham]

If you really want to use a classic mini, why not try a mini van or clubman estate, much more room.
You could have some sort of slide out from rear doors with fold down legs for support, awning if required from roof rack.
Sign writing to advertise your business
keeps it original on outside.

[beardylondon]

I had the same thought Graham, but he wants to use his current vehicle

If you really want to use a classic mini, why not try a mini van or clubman estate, much more room.
You could have some sort of slide out from rear doors with fold down legs for support, awning if required from roof rack.
Sign writing to advertise your business
keeps it original on outside.

[Gaz66]

I know its not what youve got but the ultimate is the ice cream van conversion 👍

Edited by Gaz66, 26 April 2026 - 04:58 PM.

[Quinlan minor]

Like this:

 

Attached Files

•  Mini Ice Cream Van.jpg   109.31K   1 downloads

[Gaz66]

Like this:

Thats the fella 👍

[Ethel]

I think it would be easier to forget about incorporating your Mini and look for something you can transport with it - if that's your only option. It will be a challenge if you want to do hot food. Clue yourself up on the local regulations, you may need hand washing facilities, specific food storage...

[stuart bowes]

just for a basic toasties/crumpets/tea and coffee outlet, you'll need chiller unit (butter / milk / fillings etc) and a grill, obviously, and probably a decent sized tea urn, 

 

if you take the front passenger seat out, and the back seat, you could either leave it like that, or build a reasonably lightweight and spacious interior 'storage' area with some thin-ish ply and a bit of light carpeting or whatever.  that's not really a modification that's just a variant on the interior

 

depending on size of grill / cooler / etc getting them in that space seems reasonable, but the cooler would need powering during transit, that'll proably mean 2nd battery and a bigger (or additional?) alternator and possibly an invertor unit

 

I assume on site you have an electrical hookup and water supply / drainage, otherwise it's just not viable at all really

 

with that in mind I'd leave the roof alone, take a gazebo, peg that down, have a bit of signage and that, just have the mini there looking all british and pulling in punters.  the roof isn't amazingly strong, you'd be fixing things either by drilling holes or to the gutter rails which as a permanent thing would end up doing a bit of damage I reckon, not to mention the aerodynamic properties of a hay barn

Edited by stuart bowes, 27 April 2026 - 05:15 PM.

[mullet]

Thanks everyone for the replies.  I should have been more clear.  The market has electrical supplies (chickens are cooked there, paella man, etc).  I'd bake in a 'regulation-met' kitchen and transport fresh English muffins 100 yards to market square.  They heat well in a microwave (milk-based bread does reheat very well in a short burst of microwave).  So classic cheese n ham melt type thing, as well as selling muffins.  This could all be on-site, with electrical-powered cooler too.  It's literally market research to see if I'd expand or not.  So it's pretty light on needed equipment for the moment.

 

I see people camping on top of classic mini rooftops.  Is there a known weight limit?  

[stuart bowes]

yeah it's not a lot https://www.theminif...of-rack-weight/

 

I wouldn't put an adult person up there for sure.. 40kg might be ok for tent though I suppose but you still have the aerodynamics, and it would just as easily fit in the boot folded up

[mullet]

Thanks Stuart.  That link has pointed me in the right direction!

[Steam]

What you should or should not do is not the same as what can be done. You used to be able to tow a trailer of 250 to 300 kg but the later minis were not llowed to tow at all. Yeah, right!!
Minis were often seen carrying mirror sailboats on the roof and tent tops for 2 adults were available for minis as well.

[Ethel]

I'm sure a Mini can take a lot more weight via the roof gutter: 40kg is likely sensible to drive with up there safely.