Engineer's Note

HOW BIG?!
"Why is it that new mobile groomers want huge trucks while experienced mobile groomers want smaller?"

Over the years I have noticed a trend that is very predictable.

When I have a groomer call and ask for the largest grooming van we build, I will usually ask them, "Have you ever groomed mobile before?" In most cases, the groomer wanting the largest units have never been mobile before.

On the other hand,  I have found that most experienced mobile groomers have little interest in largest mobiles.  Why?

"The inside may look and feel like a grooming salon but you have to keep in mind that you are going to be driving and parking these huge "RV's" in neighborhoods with narrow streets and cars parked along the side of these streets. You will face this challenge 6-10 time a day. Are you really up to that?"
 

Here is what I have learned from my 12 plus years of helping groomers get what they need.  A "newbie" has almost no experience in a mobile to help them determine their real space requirement needs.  "Newbies" are especially attracted to the idea of the huge shuttle bus formats like our Max 14 or max  18 or our competitor's Elite* shuttle bus format.  These mobile grooming trucks have interiors that look more like the interior of a small grooming salon building rather than the interior of a grooming van so newbies make comments like, "It looks and feels like I'm in a grooming salon."
 

"Is larger better?"

The choice of mobile grooming van size is a personal decision and we are more than happy to build you a mobile in the size you want. That is why we offer such a variety of mobiles. But like anything new, you need to make yourself fully informed before jumping directly into the larger mobile formats.

Many of the more experienced mobile groomers who have owned large mobiles know the pro/con factors and realize that the con's of the largest shuttle bus format outweigh the perceived pro's.  An experienced mobile groomer knows that going in and out of small neighborhood streets, driveways and driving under low hanging trees on a day in and day out basis can be a real chore.  They know the difficulties of backing these larger units down and out of a typical driveway 6-10 times a day.  They also know and understand the costs they are paying for the extra space and size. The larger shuttle bus unit (Max 14, Max 18) will cost more on a monthly basis in payments plus a much higher fuel bill that is triple that of our HGV and HGV+4. This additional fuel cost can be $250-$550 more per month. Our Max 14/18's and the competitor's Elite* typically get 6-8 miles per gallon on their easy drive days!

If you are seriously considering a large shuttle bus Max 14 or Max 18 units or the competitions Elite*, please carefully think through your reasoning and make sure you are willing to accept the responsibilities of the extra size in your selected neighborhoods plus the huge monthly cost of having that type and size of truck. As long as I feel my client understands what they are asking for, I am more than happy to build it for them. One thing is certain.  I do not want to start finding huge Hanvey Max 14 units up for sale after a short lived business start-up. I would rather not sell the unit in the first place. Visit some of the groomer board web sites where groomers are selling their mobiles and notice how many of these units are less than two years old and then notice the brand. I really don't want to see this happen with Hanvey mobile grooming vans.

There is the solution.  The Hanvey HGV+4!  

.       
 

The Hanvey Sprinter HGV+4 was designed to satisfy this need for extra space.  If you really need excess space but still want an easy to drive mobile grooming van that will stay under tree limbs, the HGV+4  is the unit I recommend. It will also cost you less money in fuel per month and a lower monthly van payment.

Why the HGV+4? 

The huge fuel cost penalty of the Max and Elite* formats are due to the older design format chassis and body.  The HGV+4 gives you as much free floor space but does so in a state of the art Mercedes Sprinter format that give you four times the the miles per gallon. It is just the nature of the Mercedes Sprinter engine(~20-22 mpg) rather that 6-8 MPG of the shuttle bus formats. It's short enough to go through most food drive thru's.

If you are uncertain about your ability to handle a larger unit, find a Sprinter dealer and test drive a Sprinter. If you are considering a shuttle bus format, rent a "U-Haul" box truck with a 14 foot box on it and drive it around your neighborhoods so you can decide for yourself if you really can deal with the driving requirements and the additional monthly costs.

Regardless to your decision, we will be happy to build your unit. I just want to make sure you understand the pro/con factors that are often not known by "newbie" mobile groomers. I want you to be happy with your choice for the rest of your career.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

Curtis Hanvey,
Founder/Design Engineer

Let's compare
Max 18, HGV⁺⁴ and HGV

Max 18 = 27 feet long, 10'11" tall (above)

HGV⁺⁴ = 23 feet long, 8'9" tall (above)

HGV = 19 feet long 8'9" tall

Two or Three Person Work Space!
HGV⁺⁴ can easily accommodate three(3) people working comfortably.

    
No one offers more space in an easy to drive, non-bus, van format. 

No one.

There is more free floor space in this HGV+4 than the competition's larger shuttle bus format grooming truck. There is more than double the free floor space compared to the competition's recently introduced Sprinter model.

HGV+4 Sprinters can accommodate up to three(3) people working comfortably. Notice all of the open floor space in front of the tub and in front of the table.

Do you really think you need more space than this? 
 

Picture 1 shows optional Elevator 700 table and SS mirror. Picture 2 shows clear lexan removable tub side covered with protective white film to allow you to see it in this picture. White film is removed at delivery.

Will your grooming van fit your neighborhoods?

    
ONLY 8'9" tall including the vents!
Shuttle bus formats are around 11' tall.

Look at this door!  Easy access, full height studio entry. No more stooping!

Have you noticed how low the bulkhead doors are in a traditional Ford grooming van? Look at the size of these Hanvey HGV Sprinter doors.

Unless you are 6'6" tall, you can walk through the sliding side door without  your head touching the top of the door. >>>>>

<<<< Walk directly into your driving cab without stooping. Yes, that means you can stand up in the cab! Do you really need anything bigger than this?

Do you really think you need more space than this? 

The new Sprinter's HUGE front cab interior!
Click to see how much space is in the cab interior pictures....

Do you really think you need more space than this? 

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