PetGroomer.com Mobile Grooming Gallery


Wag’n Tails Mobile Endurance Grooming Van

Hybrid Power generation system makes Endurance the most fuel efficient Mobile Grooming Van on the market

Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions announces the release of their newest mobile grooming van, the Endurance. Designed with the “Hybrid Power” generation system as standard equipment, the Endurance is the most fuel efficient mobile grooming van on the market today. The Endurance is built on the Dodge Sprinter 3500 with the 170" wheelbase, dual rear wheels and the high roof chassis. The Sprinter van is equipped with the fuel efficient 3.0 liter turbocharged diesel engine. The Wag’n Tails conversion utilizes the Onan 8000 Quiet Diesel generator mated to the 2000 watt, pure sine wave Equinox inverter to efficiently power all the grooming equipment and related components.

This generator/inverter hybrid system allows the groomer to power the high amperage demand appliances like dryers and air conditioners with the generator and operate the low amp items like clippers and lights with batteries powered through the inverter. The hybrid system includes an automatic generator start to recharge the 100% maintenance free Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries whenever low battery power is sensed by the system.

According to Dennis Gnetz, Wag’n Tails President, “Our goal was to maximize fuel economy without sacrificing power and productivity. With this system, we fully met that goal and with the diesel generator, we’ve also reduced maintenance costs and improved reliability significantly.”

Wag’n Tails began this project in late 2006 with a clean sheet of paper. “We threw out all of our preconceived notions of what is being done now and started over,” Gnetz added. “We looked at everything with a fresh perspective, from the van chassis to the power supply to even the grooming table. It was an excellent growth experience for the Wag’n Tails team and we couldn’t be more pleased with the result. The Endurance is truly one of a kind. Endurance establishes a new paradigm in the mobile grooming industry,” Gnetz said.

One important factor Wag’n Tails took into consideration was whether to use the chassis engine to heat and cool the van as well as to heat water for pet bathing. “When we take on a project of this magnitude,” Gnetz explained, “we are extraordinarily thorough in our research. As it turned out, Chrysler actually made this decision for us. During our research we discovered that engine idling puts major stress on the emissions system. In fact, we learned that the emissions system carries a 3000 hour warranty limit that would be exceeded in less than 18 months if we used the engine for these applications. We quickly decided to stay with the tried and true methods to air condition and heat water for the Endurance. With the Quiet Diesel generator sipping fuel at around six tenths of a gallon per hour at a typical load compared to running the 3.0 liter V6 van engine, we have maximized fuel efficiency in every aspect of the grooming day.”

Wag’n Tails founder Dina Perry noted, "The fuel savings with the hybrid power system during three of the four stages of the grooming process is impressive. The majority of time during the grooming process such as initial clipping, bathing and finishing require inverter operation only. When you have a full coated Standard Poodle that needs to be dried, the Onan 8000 Quiet Diesel generator requires no sacrifice in productivity. It will easily operate the powerful 17 amp, two-motor high velocity dryer necessary to finish the job quickly.” She concluded that the “Onan 8000 generator also enables our customers to run a 2nd dryer at the same time as the primary dryer. That’s critical when utilizing the 2nd grooming station.”

Because inverter/battery only systems can’t provide enough power to operate high powered grooming equipment efficiently or power air conditioners, Wag’n Tails looked to Cummins Onan for a “Hybrid Power” generation system. “With the close support of the engineering staff at Cummins Onan, we were able to develop the ideal blend of generator and inverter power for the Endurance. We are truly excited to be using this application in our latest Wag’n Tails grooming vehicle,” said Chuck Perry, Wag’n Tails Vice President. “When you combine all that with a nationwide network of authorized Onan service centers for the generator and the inverter you have a combination that can’t be beat,” he added.

The Endurance also comes standard with the new Wag’n Tails 3-n-1 electric grooming table that swivels 360 degrees, lowers to only 18" but rises to 44" high, and includes an integrated bridge to move the larger breeds between the table and tub.

Highlights of the nearly 70 standard features in the Endurance include 70 gallon fresh and 70 gallon gray water tanks, huge storage compartments, 16 gauge stainless steel tub, 13,500 BTU, low profile air conditioner, 2 large tinted windows in the grooming area and a 2nd grooming station/desk.

For an interactive, virtual tour of the all new Endurance, visit the Wag’n Tails web site at http://www.wagntails.com/html/prodinfo/sprinter.htm.

Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions announces availability of Dodge Sprinters and is accepting orders for the Endurance grooming vans effective immediately.

Photos Copyright 2008 Wag'n Tails Mobile Conversions All rights reserved