08/30/2026
THE HIDDEN RISKS OF PURCHASING A FOOD TRAILER FROM THE OVERSEAS MARKET AND APOLLO'S ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.
We have had too many people bring us their illegal Food Trailer they purchased from the overseas market to get it upgraded to meet our local health, fire and safety codes. While a trailer that you are just merchandising or selling juices, ice cream or baked goods that do not require cooking may not be too expensive to bring up to Canadian codes the cook trailers are very expensive.
Most of these trailers are brought into Canada illegally as they do not meet our Transport Canada regulations for the road. The way around this is to ship them in with no axels and under the heading of a Kiosk
Your first extra costs are likely going to be hidden port fees, customs clearances, duties, Tariffs, and freight charges. The next cost is going to be shipping your so called trailer and axel to a shop to have the axels installed and likely the trailer12V wiring and lighting will have to be brought up to code. You will also require a Vin number to be assigned so you register and insure it. This still does not make the trailer legal for the road as the axels they ship have no brakes. Any trailer in BC that is over 3100 lbs or if it weighs more than 50% of the tow vehicle weight is required to have electric or hrdraulic brakes. While you still may be able to register and insure your trailer without brakes if it is over the weight limit it is a big risk if you are in an accident. You can face heavy fines and civil liability claims. There is also a chance that ICBC will deny any claim as they can find you negligent.
The next costs you will be up against is bringing all the electrical, gas, exhaust and equipment up to Canadian codes. We have done many of these trailers and these costs are anywhere from $25,000.00 to $40,000.00 depending on the size. There is usually no gas or if there is it is illegal. The exhaust hoods are not certified in Canada so they have to be removed and have a new one put in There is also no fire suppression so that will also have to be added. The electrical will have to be totally redone as the parts do not meet CSA code and the wiring and lights are not up to code. Once this is all done we have to get all systems certified and tagged for compliance.
We have also heard from our customers that there is absolutely no warranty or support once the trailer is received. You are left on your own to deal with all the issues.
You will also never get your money back out of this trailer if you decide to sell it as the quality is not there
In order to build a trailer that is more affordable and allow someone to get into the business with a 100 percent certified, and quality built trailer, that is Turnkey with all gas, water, electrical and ventilation system, we have come up with what we are calling the Apollo Super Cart
Totally turn Key for $69,500.00
Cooking equipment includes 1 - 40lb double basket fryer - 1 - 24'' griddle - 1 - 12'' charbroiler - 1 - 2 burner stove top - 1 countertop warmer
Apollo is also a certified trailer manufacturer and registered with Transport Canada and able to apply the National Safety Mark
We are also offering a trailer that is geared towards Coffee or other beverages - Ice Cream - Baked goods, soups or anything else that does not gas heating. This trailer is totally electric and you can add whatever equipment you wish including countertop burners for warming.
Just be aware that you cannot cook anything that will create grease vapors or you may be required to get an exhaust and fire suppression system
This trailer is $39,500.00
Comes with certified water and electrical as well as counter space and shelving
