# Mobile grooming vans for Nanaimo and the mid-Island ProVanWorks builds mobile grooming vans in Langley for groomers in Nanaimo, Parksville, Ladysmith and the rest of the mid-Island. Routes here are longer and more rural than in Victoria, so a Nanaimo van has to carry enough water and battery for a day of spread-out stops, with heat for wet winter dogs. The van comes over from the mainland on BC Ferries, landing at Duke Point or Departure Bay. ## How far apart are grooming clients on the mid-Island? Often a long way. A day might start in a subdivision near Departure Bay, then head north on the Island Highway to Lantzville, Nanoose Bay and acreages outside Parksville or Qualicum Beach, or south through Cedar to Ladysmith. A lot of those properties sit at the end of a gravel driveway, with no tap you can use and no outlet near where you park. That is where a self-contained van pays off. A ProVanWorks van carries a large fresh water reservoir and a separate grey water tank, so a run of rural appointments does not end with a search for a fill point. The [water system](/mobile-grooming-vans/water-system/) page explains how the reservoir, pumps and hot water fit together. The auxiliary battery bank charges from Level 2 EV chargers, so a lunch break in town can put some charge back. Solar panels are available as an add-on for groomers who spend long days away from a charger. ## What does a mid-Island winter do to a grooming van? Nanaimo's winters are mild and wet, much like Victoria's. Most of the work is in the rain, with muddy dogs coming off farm fields and forest trails. When snow does fall, the city's hilly streets and the back roads out of town turn slick quickly, and acreage driveways can be hard to get up. On a rural stop the van may sit for an hour or more in one spot while you work. A small diesel, gas or electric heater under the seat drives the in-floor and in-wall heat in a ProVanWorks van, and the thermostat keeps the cargo area at the temperature you set, so a wet dog does not chill on the table. The water reservoir and battery bank sit in the utility area at the back, inside the insulated, heated van, out of the wind and rain. Rural dogs bring the outdoors in with them. The waterproof floor handles mud and standing water, and the railing at the cargo door keeps a nervous farm dog inside while you open up to bring in the next one. ## Which ferry takes a grooming van from Langley to Nanaimo? Two BC Ferries routes serve Nanaimo from the mainland. Tsawwassen to Duke Point is closest to our Langley shop and lands just south of the city, handy for Cedar and Ladysmith. Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay lands in Nanaimo's north end, closer to the Parksville side, but you have to get through Vancouver to reach the terminal first. On either route, give BC Ferries the van's real height when you book, because tall vehicles are priced and loaded differently. You can pick up at the Langley shop and take the ferry home, with the water system protected for the crossing in winter. Otherwise, ask about delivery when you request a quote, and read [delivery across Canada](/delivery-across-canada/) for how that works. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a grooming van work a full day on mid-Island acreages without hookups? Yes, a ProVanWorks van is built to work without hookups: it carries its own water, grey water tank, heat and battery bank. How many dogs you can do before refilling or recharging depends on the size of dog and the length of bath, so bring your typical day to the quote conversation. ### Which ferry is easier from the Langley shop to Nanaimo? Tsawwassen to Duke Point is usually easier from Langley, because it avoids driving across Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay. Departure Bay can still make sense if your first client is north of Nanaimo. ### Does a Nanaimo grooming van need air conditioning? Yes. Mid-Island summers are dry and sunny, and a van parked on an acreage driveway in full sun heats up quickly with the dryer running. A ProVanWorks van has two cargo-area fans, and the front one also runs the A/C on the same thermostat as the heat. See [how van fans and A/C work](/van-fan-and-ac-installation/).