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Buying an Ice Cream Truck as a daily commuter

Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:33 pm
Posted by jafari rastaman
Member since Nov 2015
2590 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:33 pm
I’m in the market for a new commuter vehicle and have been thinking outside the box. I’ve been searching LINK and see what appear to be some pretty decent deals.

I’m sure the gas mileage isn’t the greatest compared to a traditional commuter, but after work I can drive by a few playgrounds, etc on my way home to more than make up for the bad gas mileage. I would need to get a freezer for my office to store the ice cream during the day, so I don’t have to run the trucks generator. They probably sell portable freezer units with wheels that I can just wheel into my office and plug in. Are there any other downsides?

I could also stop by community events, etc on the weekends if I need extra cash. My coworkers may even be tempted to buy some ice cream from me during the work day. If ice cream isn’t the best idea, the website also has all other kinds of trucks (food, taco, snowball, etc) or trailers.

What are your thoughts? Has anybody done anything like this before?
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
77368 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:34 pm to
quote:

Has anybody done anything like this before?


Master P did. Worked for him.
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
43862 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:34 pm to
quote:

Has anybody done anything like this before?


Pedophiles
Posted by burdman
Louisiana
Member since Aug 2007
22656 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:34 pm to
Posted by sledgehammer
SWLA
Member since Oct 2020
6907 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:38 pm to
Posted by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
52283 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:40 pm to
You must really like ice cream
Posted by SallysHuman
Lady Palmetto Bug
Member since Jan 2025
18040 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:40 pm to
quote:

What are your thoughts? Has anybody done anything like this before?


Some feller around here did it about 10-12yrs ago.

Last I saw him he was getting loaded into a cop car on the road my neighborhood opens into.

Now.. I will say, I have seen an "adult" truck come through lately- plays super mario music and only sells booze treats. Kinda neat.
Posted by Blue Jay Friend
United States of America
Member since Feb 2026
257 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:41 pm to
Posted by Hank R Hill
Arlen,TX
Member since Jan 2017
564 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:47 pm to
Why don't you just run an extension cord from the truck to your office instead of toting the ice cream in and out every day. Are you a fatty that needs to have ice cream all day? If so you will never come out ahead and will wind up with diabeetus
Posted by lsufan112001
sportsmans paradise
Member since Oct 2006
11176 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:54 pm to
What are your thoughts? Has anybody done anything like this before?
——
I did this years ago, like 20

Gross an hour was $40 for average days. Double that on payday Fridays (200-300 ). Saturdays sucked. Sunday afternoon was good. Target high density neighborhoods.

Stay out of upper middle class areas, you’ll go bust.

I had a postal truck. Big alternator charging a battery / inverter for the freezer.

Keep in mind that kids expect to pay a $1 for something. I’d try snowballs with high profit margin. Maybe soft serve ice cream. Parish (health and hospitals ) would require a permit if going legal. Packaged food no problem.

Small margins for packaged stuff though.

Edit: it needs to be a cute van. Not some creeper looking shite. Have someone airbrush something
This post was edited on 2/20/26 at 9:06 pm
Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
121204 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:57 pm to
Big Worm!



I have no advice for you, but there is an ice cream truck (well it looks more like a van which makes it look suspect) that passes in my neighborhood, but it always passes at the more unexpected times and I can't figure out what's going on. He passed by on Christmas eve between 4:30 and 5PM. Not really a time ice cream is in high demand.

In January when we had those really cold days. He is riding around slow... with the ice cream truck music playing. Its never 5:30PM during the summer or any time where kids are the most likely to be out, the idea of ice cream is the most appealing, etc.

And this current dude has been doing it for 5 or 6 years and I want to go out and stop him to ask him.. Why does he come around at the most unlikely times and how much business does he get when he does because I never saw anyone buy from him.
Posted by DennisQuaid
Member since Nov 2023
333 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 8:59 pm to
Didn’t read but sounds funny as hell you should do it
Posted by stout
Porte du Lafitte
Member since Sep 2006
180967 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:00 pm to
You have to jam this on repeat




Posted by Tiger Prawn
Member since Dec 2016
25508 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:09 pm to
You’re going to have to get commercial auto insurance, which will be more expensive than regular personal coverage.

You’ll probably want to look into forming an LLC for liability and tax purposes. Plus cost of business general liability insurance too.

Then whatever operating permits will be required by the local government and health department.

Its not going to be as easy as just buying a truck, freezer, and some ice cream if you want to do it legit. You’re going to have to be selling ice cream a lot more often than just “weekends you need extra cash” to make it worthwhile.
Posted by UptownJoeBrown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2024
8389 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:11 pm to
Don’t do taco. Too much competition.
Posted by Ed Osteen
Member since Oct 2007
59095 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:14 pm to
quote:

I’m sure the gas mileage isn’t the greatest compared to a traditional commuter, but after work I can drive by a few playgrounds, etc on my way home to more than make up for the bad gas mileage. I would need to get a freezer for my office to store the ice cream during the day,


You make it sound like you think selling a dozen ice cream sandwiches a week is going to be worth the hassle
Posted by Translator
Member since May 2025
720 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:16 pm to
I just expected you would use an ice cream truck simply for your travels. Hey, if you buy one you do what you want. I'd just ride around the neighborhood playing some music and having people chasing a ghost.
Posted by SoFlaGuy
Fort Lauderdale
Member since Apr 2020
2893 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:20 pm to
So you want to sell ice cream to make up for the bad MPG the ice cream truck would cost?

Seems they cancel each other out. Just buy a normal vehicle, no?
Posted by roach3
Just moved to LA TOUR!!!
Member since Dec 2009
3043 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 9:51 pm to
Just call it

Epstein's Island and treats, that would be fitting
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
549 posts
Posted on 2/20/26 at 10:20 pm to
Uber driver.

Similar upside with more flex and dissimilar downside and risk.

Get closer to the box.
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