What Do I Need to Convert a Horse Box Into a Burger Van?

by Tom Ward
(Leigh)

Trailer-style horse box converted into a UK burger catering van

Trailer-style horse box converted into a UK burger catering van

Hi I have an idea of converting an old trailer style horse box into a burger van. I haven't bought the van yet or got any certificates eg. food and hygiene but i have started some research.
What i want to know is what will i need to do to the trailer and what do i need in it to get the correct licenses eg LPG certificate.

Tom

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May 11, 2026
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by: MobCater

Tom, this is a great project to be researching properly before you buy. Plenty of people pick up a horse box, drag it home, and then realise they have a beautiful shell with none of the practical kit that turns it into a working catering trailer. The good news is that horse boxes convert well, you just need to plan the inside, the gas, and the paperwork together rather than one at a time.

First the trailer itself. A trailer-style horse box gives you a flat floor, a tall ceiling, and side walls that are easy to clean up. The classic concern is space. Most trailer horse boxes are between 8 and 12 feet long internally, which is tight for a burger setup with a griddle, a fryer, a fridge, a sink, and a service window. Map out where each piece of kit will sit on a paper sketch before you commit. You will need a service window with a fly screen on the side, a stainless steel splashback behind the cooker, a smooth wipeable floor like marine ply with a vinyl topcoat, and food-safe cladding on the walls. Plan a clean water tank and a separate waste water tank with a hand wash sink between them. An Environmental Health Officer will look for this on your first inspection.

Now the gas, and this is the part where corners cannot be cut. LPG installation, the pipework, the regulators, the cylinder cabinet, all of it must be designed and signed off by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is qualified in LPG mobile catering. The relevant document is the UKLPG Code of Practice 24, and your engineer should know it inside out. You will end up with a gas safety certificate, which is your evidence the system is compliant, and you will need it for insurance and for your EHO. Calor publishes a free safety guide that is worth reading before you brief an engineer so you understand the language they will use.

Then the paperwork side. Register your food business with your local council at least 28 days before you start trading. It is free, and you register with the council where the trailer is stored overnight, not where you trade. Pass a Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering, around £20 online for a few hours of your time. Get public liability and product liability insurance in your own name, and proper trade insurance for the trailer itself. PAT test any plug-in kit, your fridge, till, and lights. None of these are optional, the EHO will ask to see them at your first inspection.

The last thing is the towing maths. Check the gross weight of the converted trailer against your vehicle's towing capacity, and against the categories on your driving licence. Older licences cover heavier trailers than newer ones, so this can quietly catch people out.

Good luck with it

David

Disclaimer: Gas installation and maintenance must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Never attempt gas work yourself. Check gassaferegister.co.uk for qualified engineers in your area.

Try the free MobCater App, our startup checklist and guide walks you through every step: https://www.mobcater.co.uk/mobile-catering.html

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