Meet Tom from Newcastle.
He worked in construction, had two kids, and loved cooking smash burgers for his mates. Week after week, they’d say the same thing:
“Mate, you should open your own food truck.”
Tom laughed it off. Start a business? Too expensive. Too risky. Too much paperwork.
But then one weekend he visited a local market in Port Stephens. He saw a guy in a tiny 2.5m food trailer selling potato spirals.
Nothing fancy.
No neon signs.
Just a simple window and a fryer.
The line was massive.
Tom asked him casually, “How’s business?”
The guy grinned and said,
“Mate… best decision I ever made.”
That moment stuck with Tom.
By the next week, he was online searching:
“budget catering trailers for sale”
He found everything from rusty gumtree trailers to $30,000 vans that needed another $15,000 worth of repairs.
Then he found ZZKNOWN, a China-based manufacturer exporting brand-new mobile units to Australia — all customisable, all high-quality, all surprisingly affordable.
He took a chance.
And four months later, his own charcoal-black burger trailer rolled into his driveway.
By summer, he was working weekend markets and doing private events.
By the end of the year, he quit construction completely.
Tom’s story isn’t rare.
This is what’s happening across Australia right now.
And if you’re reading this… maybe you’re next.
Ask any Aussie, and they’ll tell you:
A food truck is cool…
But a food trailer is often smarter.
Here’s why so many buyers search specifically for cheap food trailers instead of trucks:
A food trailer:
Has no engine
Doesn’t need a mechanic every time something squeaks
Has no alternator, radiator, fan belt, or transmission to fail
Hook it to your ute → Drive → Trade → Unhook → Done.
Simple.
In Australia:
| Type | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Used food truck | $35,000–$90,000 |
| New food truck | $70,000–$160,000 |
| Used local trailer | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Brand-new ZZKNOWN custom trailer | $4,000–$12,000 |
For first-time business owners, that's a huge difference.
Food trailers are perfect for:
Apartments with small car spaces
Suburban driveways
Businesses with warehouse storage
Anyone without access to a full-sized garage
A 2.5m or 3m trailer fits almost everywhere.
Food trailers stay cooler and cheaper to operate because:
Less surface area = easier to insulate
Smaller interiors = cheaper air conditioning
Natural ventilation works well in mild Aussie evenings
You don’t need a giant air-con unit sucking power all day.
The most popular food trailer businesses in Australia include:
Smash burgers
Ice cream & gelato
Loaded fries
Coffee trailers
Asian street food
Churros & desserts
Wraps, kebabs, and chicken
Juice & smoothie bars
Seafood rolls (Queensland favourite)
Waffles and crêpes
All of them can fit into a compact 3m–4m unit.
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Let’s talk honestly.
When Aussies search “cheap food trailers,” they’re not looking for junk.
They want:
Affordable
Reliable
Clean
Customisable
Compliant with Australian power standards
Delivered without drama
This is exactly where ZZKNOWN has become a go-to supplier for new business owners.
Before spending your hard-earned cash, here’s what you absolutely must understand.
For Australian electrical compliance, make sure:
The sockets match AU standards
Wiring is thick enough for commercial equipment
Breakers are installed
A licensed electrician checks everything after arrival
ZZKNOWN provides:
AU-standard wiring
RCD switches
Thickened power cables
Options for gas certification layouts
Perfect for:
Coffee
Ice cream
Churros
Fries
Mini burgers
Smoothies
Best for:
Burgers
Kebabs
Fried chicken
Crepes
Bubble tea
For serious operators:
Full menus
Dual chefs
High-volume events
Most first-time Aussies choose 2.5m–3.5m.
Most important things:
Stainless steel benches
Double / triple sink
Proper exhaust hood
Enough sockets
Large fridge/freezer space
Logical workflow
ZZKNOWN offers free 2D/3D design drawings so you see the layout before production.
Food trailers usually come in:
Lighter
Cooler inside
Rust-proof
Cheaper shipping
Looks premium
Strong but heavy
Can rust in coastal areas
Industrial look
Most Australian buyers prefer fiberglass.
Aussies usually use:
Hilux
Ranger
D-Max
Triton
LandCruiser
ZZKNOWN trailers come with:
Australian tow ball size
Safety chains
LED tail lights
Mechanical brake options
Here are typical ZZKNOWN export prices:
| Trailer Size | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 2.0m trailer | $3,500–$4,800 |
| 2.5m trailer | $4,200–$5,500 |
| 3.0m trailer | $4,800–$7,000 |
| 3.5m trailer | $6,000–$9,000 |
| 4.0m trailer | $8,000–$12,000 |
Shipping to Australia adds:
$1,200–$2,500 depending on location & size
Still usually far cheaper than buying used locally.
Most trailers arrive via:
Sea freight
Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO)
Container shipping
Delivery time:
30–45 days to Sydney
35–55 days to Perth/Darwin
ZZKNOWN provides:
Photos during production
Final inspection videos
Packaging protection
Warranty
Here’s what new Australian buyers like about ZZKNOWN:
It’s simply good value.
Lower startup cost
Easy towing
Smaller size
Simple maintenance
Quick market entry
A built-in engine
Drive-and-sell convenience
High-volume catering
Most Aussies starting out choose food trailers.
These business models work extremely well in Australian markets:
Low equipment cost and massive demand.
Great for morning traffic.
A hit in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.
Especially strong in QLD and WA.
Easy to prepare, excellent margins.
Perfect for beaches & health-conscious areas.
Aussies love it.
Great for festivals and night markets.
If you’ve been looking for cheap food trailers in Australia, now is the perfect time.
The demand for mobile food is stronger than ever.
The startup costs have never been more manageable.
And with manufacturers like ZZKNOWN, getting a custom trailer shipped to Australia is easier, cheaper, and safer than most people think.
Just like Tom, your entire career might change with one decision.
