Mobile Grooming Van Setup Checklist — 30 Items That Actually Matter

The internet has a thousand "mobile van fit-out" lists and most of them were written by people who have never spent a Tuesday in July with a wet doodle and a generator that won’t start. This is the working list — 30 items, sorted by what actually matters.

Vehicle Baseline (1–4)

• 1. High-roof cargo van — Ford Transit High Roof Extended, Mercedes Sprinter, or Ram ProMaster. Standing room is non-negotiable. You’ll be on your feet 8 hours.
• 2. 12-foot+ cargo length — anything shorter and you can’t fit a tub, a table, and storage without compromise.
• 3. Reinforced flooring — water-resistant marine vinyl over plywood subfloor. Drains to a low point.
• 4. Insulation + climate — spray foam walls and ceiling, plus a 12V or shore-power AC for summer. Heat comes from the engine in winter.

Water System (5–11)

• 5. 30–50 gal fresh tank — food-grade polyethylene. 5–8 baths per fill.
• 6. 30–50 gal grey tank — same capacity. Disposal at approved stations.
• 7. Tankless propane water heater — Eccotemp or Rinnai. On-demand hot.
• 8. 12V demand pump — SHURflo or Flojet. 3.0 GPM minimum.
• 9. PEX plumbing — flexible, freeze-resistant, push-fit fittings.
• 10. Stainless steel tub with elevated platform — 36–48" working height saves your back.
• 11. Removable hose with sprayer — quick disconnect for cleaning.

Power and Generator (12–16)

• 12. 3,500–5,000W inverter generator — Honda EU3000is or Yamaha EF3000iSEB. Quiet, reliable, 8–12 hr/tank.
• 13. Shore-power inlet — 30A. Lets clients plug you into their outdoor outlet.
• 14. Breaker panel + GFCI outlets — wired by a licensed electrician. Don’t DIY 120V near water.
• 15. LED lighting — overhead + task light at the table. 5000K daylight.
• 16. Backup power for tablet/phone — 12V USB outlets. The booking system going dark mid-day is a bad day.

Workspace Fit-Out (17–22)

• 17. Hydraulic or fold-down table — 30×48". Grooming arm with two attachment points.
• 18. Anti-fatigue mat — under the table. Your back will thank you.
• 19. Compact HV dryer — K9 or Double K. Tabletop or floor.
• 20. Stand dryer — Edemco or B-Air. For finishing.
• 21. Wall storage — magnetic strips for shears, hooks for leashes, cabinets for shampoos.
• 22. Trash + hair containment — lidded bin with bag system. Clean hair daily.

Item #22 is the one nobody puts on a checklist and the one that decides whether your van smells like a salon or smells like a vehicle that should not have a dog inside it.

Tools and Storage (23–27)

• 23. Full clipper kit — Andis AGC or Wahl KM-10. Backup body. Spare blades #4F, #5F, #7F, #10, #30.
• 24. Shears — straight, curved, thinning. Store in dry, padded.
• 25. Brush + comb set — slicker, pin, undercoat rake, greyhound comb.
• 26. Shampoo cabinet — labeled, dated, sealed. Rotate stock.
• 27. Towel storage — at least 30 towels in rotation. Wash daily.

Safety and Compliance (28–30)

• 28. First aid kit — for both you and the dog. Stop-bleed gel, gauze, antiseptic, cold pack.
• 29. Fire extinguisher — ABC class, mounted. Inspected annually.
• 30. Insurance + commercial vehicle reg — commercial auto, general liability, professional liability.

Get this list right and your van will run for 5+ years without major rebuilds. Cheap out on water, power, or storage and you’ll be redoing it in 18 months. For the operations side, see our guides on route density and zone pricing.

Animal Friends OS handles the booking, payments, and recurring appointments side once your van is on the road — see the grooming software overview.