Want to promote your brand in a special way? With American truck hire, you'll receive a fully wrapped, spacious vehicle that’s rarely seen here in the UK. The US postal van is the rarest in our fleet, while the American ambulance is a retro workhorse, great for all kinds of activations. But which, if any, is right for your campaign?
This guide explains the benefits and considerations of American vehicle hire, whether you want a practical catering truck or a one-off vehicle purely for brand awareness.
Why should I hire an American truck?
Discover what makes both of these vehicles special and how they could help your brand to reach more people than ever before.
A uniquely ‘American’ way to advertise
You want something that's both attractive and practical. So, what could be better than the glamourous American ambulance (aka the classic side-step truck), or one of Europe’s few Utilimaster postal vans? These vehicles are never seen outside of the US, despite having featured in blockbusters like 'Men in Black' and ‘Ambulance’.
They’re highly customisable
Both the US postal van and American ambulance feature tall, box-like frames just waiting to be branded. You can decorate them with your logos and imagery, knowing the results can be seen from far away. These vehicles were designed to carry stock and people respectively, so there’s plenty of room to go wild with your customisations.
Spacious catering trucks, with a twist
Our American truck hire vehicles can both fit multiple people at once, while still having room for counters, chillers, sinks and more – whatever you need to provide a great catering experience. Each vehicle has a side hatch to provide the serving experience of a modern sampling van but with a classic American vibe.
Social media showstoppers
A one-of-a-kind vehicle will ensure your campaign resonates with a wide audience, especially when it’s wrapped in your custom designs. It also serves as the perfect backdrop for reels and selfies, maximising your return on investment. We suggest adding a hashtag or QR code, and taking high-quality shots so you can take your campaign online.
What do I need to consider?
With these tips, you’ll be fully confident on the first day of your campaign…
Where you’ll hold your activation
The US postal van Utilimaster and American ambulance are both quite large, so finding the right venue can be challenging. The site could have height or size restrictions, or they might limit the kind of power you can use.
We recommend seeing our guide to the top sampling locations for inspiration, then checking out the 7 questions you need to ask a venue before booking.
With these resources, you'll be able to find the perfect spot to engage with guests. Alternatively, just ask us to manage the process for you!
How you’ll excite your audience
Whether you’re using an American truck for awareness or catering, it needs to be as eye-catching and 'on brand' as possible. This begins with a decorative wrap, but why stop there? Install a 3D roof prop for greater impact, add branded chairs for relaxation, or place gaming elements where guests can win freebies.
With our bespoke build service, your US postal van or American ambulance can be fully customised to suit your needs. See our bespoke vehicle build guide to learn all about our collaborative process.
Below: The Tabasco 'pick me up' truck with a 3D burger prop.
Making in-person connections
Don’t forget the human touch! It takes passionate staff with high energy to welcome the public and get them to share their experience with friends and family. Even if you’re just visiting media houses or running an influencer tour, staff who understand both the vehicle and your campaign goals can make all the difference.
At Promohire, we can connect you with professional campaign staff (including certified catering teams) who know our vehicles and have helped run events across the UK.
What types of American trucks can I hire?
Check out the all-American showstoppers available for hire.
The US postal van or ‘Utilimaster Aeromate’
One of the only promotional Utilimasters in the UK, this elegant van features a distinctive front, plus a low rear entry point for easy loading. Designed to hold as many parcels as possible, our classic Utilimaster is easy to recommend if you need a truck that’s spacious and less common than other promotional vehicles.
The Utilimaster Aeromate is social media-ready and is capable of shorter, localised journeys – providing a mobile platform for photo-ops and engagement.
The American ambulance
Inject Hollywood style into your campaign with the timeless American ambulance. Featured in blockbuster films and TV shows, it blends function and form into one package. With standing room for multiple people, plus chillers and serving stations, it's an excellent option when you need a high-performing catering truck.
Our model was built in the 1980s and formerly served the people of New York City. We'd recommend this vehicle over the US postal truck if you plan for longer journeys.
How American trucks helped brands succeed
These brands used American truck hire to build lasting memories.
Amazon
The online giant marked the anniversary of Amazon Business by visiting one of its first major customers – Hackney New School. This stylishly wrapped American postal truck was packed with free art and music equipment, ready for gifting to say thank you. We provided the branded wrap and handled all logistics for this one-day event.
See Amazon deliver freebies with this US postal truck
Universal
The studio wanted to celebrate Despicable ME 4 with something special. To account for the 3D minion lifting the US postal van at angle, the inside was customised with absolute precision and a false floor was added. And with a 3D roof prop and vibrant blue and yellow wrap, it was the perfect backdrop for photos featuring Steve Carrell.
Richmond Sausages
With a custom interior complete with counters, storage and a working sink, the ‘good time grill’ ambulance was ready to roll! It travelled through suburban streets, where lucky guests were treated to lunch by celebrity funny man, Joe Swash. The wrap matched Richmond's sausage packaging, so the public knew just what to expect.
How much does it cost to hire an American truck?
For a 7-day activation, prices for American truck hire start at around £10,683. While this is just an estimate, the price includes the full external wrap and driver, who will bring your vehicle to and from each venue.
If you’d like any of our 6 campaign support services, such as enhanced logistics, staffing or content capture, you can see how much to budget in our promotional costs and services guide.
Start with our online calculator and see if a timeless American truck is right for you!
