Short answer: a new fully-equipped mobile pet grooming truck or van runs $75,000 to $130,000 in 2026. Trailers run $55,000 to $95,000. Used market is $35,000 to $90,000 depending on age and condition. The big-name specialty builders (Wag’n Tails, Hanvey, Gryphon) sit at the top of the new range. Smaller custom builders deliver comparable specs for less because they are not paying for franchise overhead. Here is the actual breakdown by builder, by configuration, and by spec.
What a fully-equipped mobile grooming rig costs in 2026
Real prices from builder quote sheets, public listings, and customers who shopped multiple builders before coming to us:
| Builder | Configuration | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Wag’n Tails | Trailer (Dyna) | $66,689 |
| Wag’n Tails | Pet Pro Van (Sprinter) | ~$103,000 |
| Wag’n Tails | Supreme Groom Van | ~$135,000 |
| Hanvey | Sprinter conversion | ~$101,999 |
| Gryphon Trailers | Trailer (Streamliner) | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Ambers Mobile Pet Salons | Eco / Executive Series | $85,000-$140,000 |
| Zion Pet Mobiles | Cutaway truck (E-450, 16-18ft) | $75,000-$95,000 |
| Zion Pet Mobiles | Premium truck (20-22ft, dual-tub) | $95,000-$130,000 |
The big specialty builders charge more for two real reasons: name recognition (a Wag’n Tails or Hanvey badge has resale value) and franchise-grade systems (their builds are very consistent because they ship hundreds per year). Smaller custom builders charge less because the bigger builders’ overhead is spread across pet mobiles only, while we spread ours across food trucks, pet mobiles, and other commercial mobile categories.
Used market reality
Used pet mobile listings tracked in late 2025 and early 2026:
- 2017 Mercedes Sprinter with Hanvey conversion: $61,000 (75K miles)
- 2020 Mercedes Sprinter with Hanvey: $90,000 (38K miles)
- 2021 Wag’n Tails Dyna AWD: $75,000 (low hours)
- 2018 Ford Transit with custom build: $48,000 (95K miles)
- 2019 ProMaster with Gryphon trailer: $72,000
The used buying decision is similar to food trucks. A $61K used Hanvey looks like a steal until you check the equipment lifecycle. Generators have a 5-7 year service life. Refrigeration condensers wear. Dryers lose suction. Hydraulic lifts develop seal leaks. A truck with 75K chassis miles probably has a generator with 3,000+ hours on it that is on borrowed time. Budget $15,000-$25,000 for likely first-year upgrades on a 5-year-old used unit.
What you actually pay for line by line
For a typical $90,000 build, here is where the money goes:
| Component | Typical cost | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis (Ford E-450 cutaway, new) | $35,000-$45,000 | 40-50% |
| Generator (7-10 kW Onan) | $5,500-$8,500 | 7-10% |
| Hydraulic stainless tub | $2,800-$4,500 | 3-5% |
| Hydraulic grooming table | $1,800-$3,200 | 2-4% |
| High-velocity dryer (K-9 II, Edemco) | $800-$1,500 | 1-2% |
| Tankless gas water heater | $400-$700 | 0.5-1% |
| Water tanks (50 gal fresh + 75 gal grey) | $350-$600 | 0.5% |
| 2x rooftop A/C units (13.5K BTU each) | $2,400-$4,800 | 3-5% |
| Stainless prep counters and storage | $1,500-$2,800 | 2-3% |
| Electrical (panel, wiring, shore inlet) | $2,200-$3,500 | 2-4% |
| Plumbing (water lines, pump, drains) | $1,500-$2,500 | 2-3% |
| Insulation, flooring, finish work | $3,500-$5,500 | 4-6% |
| Custom vinyl wrap | $3,500-$5,500 | 4-6% |
| Labor (fab, install, commissioning) | $15,000-$22,000 | 17-24% |
Hidden costs nobody quotes you
- Commercial vehicle registration. $300-$1,500/year depending on state and weight class.
- Commercial insurance. $2,500-$5,500/year. See our pet mobile insurance guide.
- Permit and licensing. $250-$1,200/year depending on jurisdiction.
- Initial inventory (shampoos, tools, towels). $2,500-$5,000.
- Marketing launch (Google Business, signage, photography). $1,500-$4,000.
- Working capital reserve. 3-6 months of operating expenses, $15,000-$30,000.
Plan on $25,000-$45,000 above the build cost for a complete launch. Operators who skip this and run with $0 cash reserve usually struggle by month 4.
Where you actually save money
Three real ways to bring cost down without compromising quality:
- Bring your own chassis. Save $30,000-$45,000 if you source a clean used E-450 or Sprinter. Have a commercial mechanic verify it before purchase.
- Standard FRP walls instead of full stainless. Saves $5,500. Customers never see the inside walls.
- Two-color wrap vs photo-realistic. Saves $1,500-$3,000. Looks just as professional.
Three places NOT to save money:
- Hydraulic tub. A non-hydraulic tub means lifting 80 lb dogs by hand all day. Six months in your back is wrecked.
- Generator. Underspeccing here means tripping breakers when the dryer kicks on while the A/C is running. Service interrupted.
- Climate control. Skipping the second A/C unit makes the truck unworkable in summer. Pets and groomers suffer. Service quality drops.
Quote a build with us
Tell us your route plan, your service capacity, and your equipment preferences. We will quote a build within 24 hours with line-by-line pricing. Get a free quote or call 719-722-2537.
Related: complete pet mobile business guide, Zion Pet Mobiles overview, generator sizing guide.
Ready to build your truck?
We design and build custom food trucks and trailers compliant with the regulations on this page. From a single phone call to keys-in-hand in 6 to 8 weeks for most builds.
Built in Woodland Park, Colorado. Delivered to operators in CO, AZ, NE, MT, and WY.