If you’re planning a food and beverage campaign, the vehicle you choose can make all the difference. From modern mobile sampling vans and catering vans to classics like Citroën H-Vans and Renault Estafettes, every option brings something unique.
Here, we look at the most popular food and drink sampling vehicles and explore their benefits and ideal uses – so you can decide which is right for your sampling campaign.
Modern sampling vans
For serving food on the go, nothing beats a modern mobile sampling van.
These vehicles are purpose-built for storing, preparing, and serving meals efficiently, and because they're reliable and easy to handle, they can comfortably take on long journeys –perfect for multi-stop food sampling campaigns across towns and cities.
On the outside, their box-like frame acts as a blank canvas for branding. Add a roof sign and internal lighting, or go bold with 3D props – it easily works as a branded centrepiece.
The sheer size of these vans also means they work brilliantly as sampling hubs, with room for three staff members to serve comfortably inside. Learn more in our complete guide to sampling and catering van hire.
Best for: Large-scale food sampling, high-footfall events, multi-city tours, and food and beverage brands who need plenty of space for staff and equipment.
American vehicles
An American vehicle will bring a Hollywood twist to your food and drink campaign.
You’ve seen US postal vans and American ambulances in the movies, and so have your customers! That makes them instantly eye-catching, great talking points, and a strong choice for brands looking to add some style to their sampling campaigns.
Ninja chose a US ambulance for their Creami ice cream promotion, while Wasabi used a US postal van for their flaming Korean chicken box – two very different campaigns that both made a big impression.
While the US postal van or ‘Utilimaster’ boasts a unique style, the ambulance is better for longer journeys. It’s all covered in our guide to American truck hire, so check it out to learn more!
Best for: Sampling with a playful American twist, eye-catching social content, and sampling events with a slice of Americana.
Vintage & retro-style H-Vans
Wish classic charm and modern reliability would collide? We have you covered!
Vintage h-vans
A staple of London’s South Bank, the H-Van delivers 40s charm while offering plenty of space for prep and serving. Our classic H-Vans come in a few variants: the standard model, a long-wheelbase version for extra room, and a horsebox style. Each features that timeless silhouette, making them perfect for heritage food and beverage campaigns.
The retro-style relay
If you want classic visuals but modern reliability, the Relay H-Type is for you. Built on a modern mobile sampling van chassis, this vehicle is reliable and easy to drive – all while keeping the iconic style. It’s also taller than a classic H-Van, giving you extra headroom. The H-Type featured in AO Bear’s Pizza sampling activation, for a mobile campaign bursting with character.
See our ultimate guide to H-Van hire to learn more.
Best for: Artisan food brands, and activations where style meets practicality.
Vintage Airstreams
Spacious, iconic, and built for show-stopping food and beverage campaigns.
These timeless trailers give you loads of room to prep, cook, and serve while keeping staff comfortable and guests engaged. You can outfit them with ovens, counters, or any catering kit you need to create an event that draws attention.
Dr Oetker used a catering Airstream to promote their Suprema pizzas, with staff cooking on-site to boost sales by over 500% post-campaign! Pho also turned an Airstream into a mobile street-food hub, showing how versatile these can be for hot food sampling.
Check out our guide to vintage Airstreams for more details and inspiration.
Best for: Hot food sampling, premium campaigns, and high-traffic events like festivals.
Renault Estafettes
French charm and quirky style help the Estafette stand out in any campaign.
These vans bring instant personality to the food and beverage space. Vintage and compact, they’re photogenic and practical enough for sampling. Their limited size makes them better suited for pre-packaged items than fresh treats, but their premium look encourages engagement, photography, and online content.
Brands have used Estafettes to sample everything from free coffees to gourmet burgers. If you’d like to add a touch of French charm to your next sampling campaign, visit our Renault Estafette hire article today.
Best for: Quirky activations, social-first pop-ups, and events where personality matters.
Ice cream vans
Playful, recognisable, and great for serving more than just ice cream.
Ice cream vans make brilliant sampling vehicles thanks to their nostalgic appearance, built-in hatches and compact footprint. Whether serving soft scoops, artisanal treats, chilled drinks, or pastries, they naturally attract attention.
That flexibility has made them a go-to choice for many brands. Blank Street took one on a cold-brew tour, Alpro ran a chilled yoghurt event, and MY Money Matters created a ‘treat moment’ for a simple awareness campaign.
Get the full scoop in our ice cream van hire overview, along with our blog on how to elevate your ice cream campaign.
Best for: Treat-led brand experiences, chilled product sampling, quick-setup events, and summer campaigns with a hint of nostalgia.
VW Pop-Up Campers
Made for instant sampling on the move with a summer holiday vibe.
Our custom VW Campers are designed to make pre-packaged food and drink campaigns a breeze. The roof lifts so a staff member can fully stand and hand out freebies, while the side pushes out into a practical sampling counter. Inside, there’s room for essential storage, making it easy to serve cold drinks or grab-and-go treats.
Their size means they can drive between locations, pop up in busy streets, and create a friendly presence wherever they go. The roof also provides an extra canvas for your branded messaging or imagery.
Brands like BrewDog and Jollibee love them for seasonal campaigns, bringing the fun straight to the streets. See more in our VW Camper Van hire overview.
Best for: Summer drink promotions, chilled sampling, guerilla campaigns, and events with personal engagement at the heart of the experience.
Piaggio Apes
Compact, charming, and ideal for serving chilled drinks with European flair.
Piaggio Apes may be small, but they pack in loads of personality. Their compact size makes them ideal for tight spaces and activations with multiple vehicles, while the inside can store chilled stock or hot drink setups. Staff serve directly from the side hatch, creating a personal, more approachable experience.
Brands love them for targeted sampling events. Inch’s ran a free cider activation, while SHEIN chose the Piaggio Ape as a festive hot chocolate stand. Discover our article on Piaggio Ape hire for more on these iconic vehicles.
Best for: Chilled or hot drink sampling, tight spaces, guerilla pop-ups, and as companions to larger promotional vehicles.
Let’s bring your campaign to life
With a diverse promotional fleet and the know-how to make your food and beverage campaign a success, we're here to help. Use our pricing calculator calculator to get a cost for promotional vehicle hire, and book a free discovery call so your project can hit the ground running!
We can discuss your goals, explore creative ideas, and recommend the best sampling vehicle for your campaign. Click below to reach out to us today!
