Custom Studio

Custom Vehicles, Trailers & Brand Experiences

Your idea deserves a build of its own.

A vintage truck with a commercial kitchen. A mobile boutique inside a three-wheeler. A collection of trailers designed for a private club.

The Custom Studio at The Hudson Trailer Company brings distinctive business ideas to life through custom vehicles, trailers and hospitality spaces.

Whether you’re building for your own business or developing an experience for a client’s brand, we help turn the concept into something people can see, step into and remember.

The Kohler food truck: a 1949 Chevrolet Loadmaster with a wood-clad kitchen body

Start with what you want to create.

You don’t need to arrive with a finished design. Tell us what the build needs to do, who will use it and where it will operate.

We’ll explore the platform, layout, equipment and finishes that could bring it together. Your brand and customer experience guide the appearance; the day-to-day operation guides what happens inside.

From a single custom vehicle to a coordinated collection, The Hudson Trailer Company considers the concept as a whole.

The details make the difference.

A memorable custom build needs more than an interesting exterior.

For Kohler, the work included extending the chassis of a vintage Chevrolet and creating a purpose-built kitchen body. For Ladurée, the challenge was bringing a boutique experience into a Piaggio Ape. At Atlantic Fields, different vintage trailers became complementary spaces with separate functions.

That’s the value of a custom approach: the vehicle, layout and construction follow the idea.

Develop the concept before committing to the build.

Custom Studio projects begin with a research and development deposit of $2,500–$5,500, depending on scope.

This stage helps develop the concept, define the work involved and establish an informed build estimate. We consider the platform, equipment, design and any engineering needs specific to the project.

The full development deposit is credited toward your build contract when you book.

Starting prices for planning your project.

These figures provide a starting point for discussing your concept. They are base build prices before equipment and design; your custom proposal defines the complete scope and investment.

PlatformStarting price
Horse trailer conversion$35,000
Gas mini truck$45,000
Vintage Piaggio Ape$45,000
Camper trailer project$48,000
Vintage VW bus project$75,000
Modern custom food truck$85,000
Shipping container project$95,000
Vintage step van$120,000
Vintage truck kitchen$135,000
Vintage Airstream project$150,000

Electric mini trucks are quoted individually. The development deposit is an initial payment toward the project and is credited against the build contract.

Looking for a 14-foot or 17-foot coffee or bar trailer? Explore those model pages for their starting prices and available options.

Built around your brand and your operation.

The Custom Studio works with business owners, hospitality properties, venues and agencies developing experiences for their clients.

We consider how customers approach the build, what they see and how your team works within it. Equipment, serving areas, displays, storage, lighting and branding should work together.

The goal is a finished space that feels unmistakably yours—and serves a clear purpose for your business.

Drawings that help move the project forward.

Depending on your scope, CAD drawings and renderings can help communicate the layout and appearance before construction.

Drawings for health department or other plan review are available for an additional fee. Share the requirements from your reviewing authority early so we can discuss the documentation your project needs.

FAQ

Custom Studio questions

Ask us directly →

How does a custom project begin?
Start by sharing your idea, intended use, location and budget. Custom Studio development begins with a $2,500–$5,500 research and development deposit, depending on scope.
Is the development deposit credited toward the build?
Yes. The full development deposit is credited against your build contract when you book.
Do I need a complete design before contacting you?
No. You can bring an early concept, inspiration or a specific business need. The development process helps define the platform, layout and scope.
Can you build something different from the models on your website?
Yes. The Custom Studio is for projects that need an individual approach, including unusual vehicles, specialized hospitality spaces and branded experiences.
Can you work with an agency on a client’s project?
Yes. The Hudson Trailer Company can develop and build a custom vehicle or trailer around your client’s brand, intended use and project requirements.
Can you provide drawings for plan review?
Yes. Plan-review drawings are available for an additional fee. Share the reviewing authority’s requirements so we can define what is needed.
How do build payments work?
A 50% deposit starts the build stage, with the full schedule outlined in your proposal. Your development deposit is credited toward the contract. See How It Works for an overview.

Tell us the idea you keep coming back to.

Bring it to The Hudson Trailer Company. Let’s explore what it could become.