Planning for Self-Sufficient Water and Electricity Supply: Tank, Generator, and Connections

You know where you stand, you know what you’re cooking—but have you also figured out where the electricity comes from and how much water you’ll need? Utility systems are one of those topics that operators tend to put off until later. And then, on the first big day of operation, they’re left in a bind: the generator breaks down, the tank is too small, and there’s no power connection within reach.

If you plan your food trailer carefully from the start, you can avoid this. This article explains what’s important when it comes to electricity and water supply—whether you’re parked on the side of the road, at a festival, or on company grounds.

Taking Stock: What Does Your Trailer Need?

Before you can think about tank sizes and generator output, you need to know how much power your trailer uses. Go through your list of equipment:

Typical electrical appliances in a food trailer:

Device | Performance (typical)

Deep Fryer (Basic) | 3,000–6,000 W

Grill Plate / Contact Grill | 2,000–4,000 W

Combi Oven / Oven | 3,000–6,000 W

Refrigerator / Cooling Unit | 200–800 W

Coffee Maker | 1,000–2,500 W

Lighting (LED) | 50–200 W

Ventilation / Range Hood | 200–500 W

Point-of-Sale System, Retail | 50–150 W

Add up the maximum simultaneous power consumption. That is your peak load —and you should size your generator or connection accordingly.

Rule of thumb: Plan for a 20–30% buffer above the calculated maximum so that the generator isn't constantly operating at its capacity limit.

Electrical connection: 16 A, 32 A, or 63 A?

Many markets, event venues, and business premises have electrical outlets. But not all of them are the same:

16 A (Schuko or CEE blue): Equivalent to approx. 3,600 W at 230 V – sufficient for small setups or cooling needs alone
32 A (CEE red, 3-phase): About 22 kW – for medium-sized food trailers with a deep fryer and grill
63 A (CEE red, 3-phase): Approximately 43 kW – for large units with multiple high-power devices

Important when connecting to events:

Question before booking: What type of connection is available?
Pay attention to the cable cross-section—cables that are too thin will overheat under heavy loads
Always carry CEE plugs and connectors in the appropriate size
Extension cords must have a sufficient cross-sectional area (at least 4 mm² per phase for 32 A or higher)

Generators: When They Make Sense—and Which One Is Right for You

No power outlet at the market? That's where a generator comes in. The bottom line is this: A generator is an investment that pays off—if you choose the right one.

Diesel vs. Gasoline vs. Inverter

Diesel Generators:

More energy-efficient during continuous operation
Longer-lasting with regular use
Louder, heavier, more expensive to buy
Recommended for systems of 10 kW or more and regular use

Gasoline Generators:

Cheaper to buy
Lighter, more compact
Higher fuel consumption and shorter service life during continuous operation
Good for occasional use

Inverter Generators:

Produce clean sine waves (important for sensitive electronics such as point-of-sale systems)
Particularly quiet
Mostly suitable for lower power ratings (up to about 7 kW)
Ideal as a backup or for smaller setups

What to look for when buying:

Continuous power (not just peak power) must meet your needs
Noise levels: Events often have noise regulations—be sure to check them in advance
Tank capacity: How long does it run on a full tank? You don't want to have to refuel twice during a long day at the market
AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation): Protects your devices from voltage fluctuations

Fresh Water Tank: How Big It Needs to Be

Water is used more heavily in food truck operations than many people realize. Washing hands, cleaning equipment, cooking, making coffee—it all adds up quickly.

Guideline: You should expect to use about 10–20 liters of fresh water per hour of operation per employee. For a 6-hour shift with two people, that quickly adds up to 200 liters.

Common tank sizes and what they're used for:

Tank Capacity | Operating Time (2 People) | Recommendation

100 liters | ~3–4 hours | Short lunchtime market

200 liters | ~6–8 hours | Full market day

300 liters | all day, festival | festival operations, safety buffer

Tip: It’s better to have a little more than too little. A full tank gives you a buffer—an empty one brings your operations to a halt.

Wastewater Tank: Often Underestimated

Everything that goes in as fresh water comes out as wastewater. Sometimes more—due to cleaning processes, boiled water, and melted ice cubes.

Rule of thumb: The wastewater tank should be at least as large as the fresh water tank, or preferably slightly larger (by a factor of 1.1–1.3).

What many people forget: Wastewater from commercial operations cannot simply be discharged into the street drainage system or onto green spaces. At events, there are usually designated wastewater discharge points. Check this with the event organizer in advance.

On your own premises: Collect wastewater in appropriate containers and dispose of it properly.

Off-Grid vs. Grid-Connected: Which Makes More Sense?

The honest answer: both, depending on the application.

Self-sufficient operation (generator + on-site tanks):

Maximum Flexibility
No Negotiations on Interconnection Capacity
Ongoing Fuel Costs
Be aware of noise and exhaust emissions (some events prohibit the use of combustion-powered generators)

Connected operation (external power supply + on-site water connection):

No generator costs or maintenance
Silence, no exhaust fumes
Depending on the organizer / landlord
Not available everywhere

Recommendation: Design your trailer so that it can do both. CEE connectors for external power as standard, a generator as a backup. Tanks for self-sufficient operation, and a water connection (with a pressure reducer) as an option.

At AVB Manufaktur, we take this into account right from the planning stage—wiring, connections, tank sizes, and generator mounts are designed into your trailer to ensure you remain flexible. Tailored to your concept and your typical operating locations.

Maintenance and Operational Safety

Here are a few things you should keep an eye on regularly:

Generator: Change the oil according to the manufacturer's specifications, clean the air filter, and keep the fuel fresh (gasoline deteriorates over time)
Fresh Water Tank: Clean and disinfect regularly—stagnant water breeds germs
Wastewater tank: Empty and rinse at least once a week
Electrical connections: Check CEE plugs regularly for wear and tear, and check cables for damage
Hoses in the Trailer: Check Hose Connections for Leaks – Water Damage Inside the Trailer Often Develops Gradually

Conclusion: Good planning is half the battle

Water and electricity aren't exactly exciting topics, but they're crucial to your operations. If you plan carefully, you'll be able to operate reliably at any location—whether it's a city market, a company campus, or a summer festival. If you cut corners and improvise, you'll run into trouble sooner or later.

Don't let the technical details intimidate you: With the right setup—one that's been carefully planned from the start—your trailer will run wherever you put it.

Are you currently planning your food trailer or thinking about upgrading it? Here at AVB Manufaktur, we’ll give you specific advice—on tank sizes, generator mounts, electrical connections, and everything else that ensures your trailer operates safely.