A mobile grooming trailer lets you bring the salon to your clients' driveways, set your own schedule and grow a route on your terms. It is also a real investment, and the trailer you choose shapes your day for years: how many dogs you can do between water refills, whether your dryer and A/C can run at the same time, and how comfortable you are working through a Georgia July.
Use this checklist when you compare any dog grooming trailer for sale, whether it is a unit on the lot or a custom build.
1. Water: Tanks, Heater and Drainage
Water is the system that decides how far your day can go. Look at:
- Fresh and gray water tanks: tank size sets how many dogs you can bathe before you need to refill and empty. Larger dogs and double coats use more water.
- Water heater: electric or propane tankless. Ask how each one fits the way you plan to power the trailer.
- Tub: a 50-inch tub handles most breeds. Check the height, the step and how easy it is to get a large dog in and out.
- Dump valve: know how you will empty gray water and where you will do it legally.
2. Electrical: Can Everything Run at Once?
Clippers, a high-velocity dryer, a vacuum, lights and the A/C all pull power. A grooming trailer needs an electrical package built for that load. Our standard grooming builds include a 50 amp electrical package and a generator platform. Decide early whether you will run from a generator, shore power at a client's home, or both, and make sure the layout supports it.
3. Climate Control for Georgia Summers
Metro Atlanta summers are hot and humid, and a closed trailer heats up fast. That is hard on you and harder on a nervous dog. A 13,500 BTU A/C with a heat strip is standard on our grooming builds, which also helps on cold January mornings. Add a powered roof vent and consider windows for airflow. Insulated walls and ceiling make the A/C's job easier.
4. Layout and Workflow
Picture a full appointment from start to finish: the dog walks in, gets bathed, dried, groomed and walked back out. A good layout keeps that path short and safe.
Questions to Ask About Layout
- Where is the tub relative to the table, and how far do you carry a wet dog?
- Is there room to walk around the table on both sides?
- Do you want built-in kennels for drying or holding a second dog?
- Is there enough cabinet and drawer space for shampoo, towels and blades?
- Do you want an on-board bathroom for long days?
When you place a deposit on a custom build with A&A, you get a one-on-one 3D design session with our in-house CAD designer. You watch your trailer get drafted on a video call and can move the tub, table, kennels and storage before production starts.
5. Flooring, Lighting and Cleanup
Floors get wet, hairy and soapy all day. Choose non-slip, easy-to-clean flooring; we recommend rubber coin or tread plate. Bright overhead lighting helps you see the coat and skin clearly, and a wet/dry vac or integrated vacuum system makes cleanup between dogs much faster.
6. Trailer Size and Towing
Grooming trailers on our lot have recently been 6x12 and 7x12, and upgraded or turnkey builds can run longer. Our standard built-to-order grooming trailer rides on a single 5,200 lb axle. Before you buy, check that your tow vehicle and hitch are rated for the loaded trailer, water included. Water is heavy, so a full fresh tank adds real weight.
Still deciding between a trailer and a van? Our post on pet grooming trailer vs. van walks through the trade-offs. One big plus for a trailer: you can unhitch it and use your truck for everything else.
7. Cost: What Drives the Price
Price depends on size, equipment and upgrades. At A&A, built-to-order dog grooming trailers start at $13,100. That standard build includes fresh and gray water tanks, a 50-inch tub, a dryer, a grooming table, a wet/dry vac, A/C with heat and a 50 amp electrical package. Upgrades such as a bathroom, bigger tanks, a tankless water heater, kennels and extra cabinetry raise the price. For the full breakdown by tier, see our dog grooming trailer cost guide, or call us for a quote on your exact build.
8. In Stock or Built to Order?
We usually have equipped grooming trailers on the lot, and you can see current units and prices on our pet grooming trailers for sale page. If none fit, a custom build is ready as fast as 2 weeks, and most take about 4 weeks. You can learn more about our custom mobile grooming trailers and design yours with us.
9. Paying for It and Getting It Home
Grooming trailers qualify for no credit check rent to own with 20% down for buyers who live in GA, NC, FL, AL, TN, MS, LA or TX. Buyers anywhere in the U.S. can use lease-to-own options through ClickLease, which starts with a soft credit pull, and we also offer traditional financing.
You can pick up your trailer in Jonesboro, or we can arrange delivery for specialty trailers at about $2.50 per mile from our lot. Call with your ZIP code for an exact quote.
10. Before Your First Appointment
- Check business license requirements and local rules where you will groom.
- Line up insurance for the trailer and your business.
- Plan where you will fill fresh water and empty gray water.
- Budget for exterior graphics. Your trailer is a rolling billboard on every street you park on.
Talk Through Your Build With Us
A&A Center Trailers has been building and selling trailers in Jonesboro since 1973. Bring your checklist, walk through a grooming trailer on the lot, and tell us how you want your day to run.
Come see us at 8834 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236, just south of Atlanta. We are open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM. Call (770) 603-8511 or text (404) 383-8194 and tell us what you need to haul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a dog grooming trailer?
Focus on water tank size, the water heater, the electrical package, A/C, layout, non-slip flooring, storage and whether your tow vehicle is rated for the loaded trailer. Those choices shape how many dogs you can groom in a day.
How much does a dog grooming trailer cost?
At A&A, built-to-order dog grooming trailers start at $13,100, and the final price depends on size, equipment and upgrades. In-stock units show their current prices on our site, or call (770) 603-8511 for a quote.
How long does a custom grooming trailer take to build?
As fast as 2 weeks, and most builds take about 4 weeks. We will give you your timeline with your quote.
Can I finance a dog grooming trailer?
Yes. Grooming trailers qualify for no credit check rent to own with 20% down for buyers in GA, NC, FL, AL, TN, MS, LA and TX. ClickLease lease-to-own options use a soft credit pull and are available in all 50 states, and we also offer traditional financing.
Do you deliver grooming trailers?
Yes. Delivery is available for specialty trailers at about $2.50 per mile from Jonesboro, GA. Call or text with your ZIP code for an exact quote, or pick up at our lot.