Director
The 5-ton truck brings the gear I need for my vision. The size of the truck often dictates how much equipment we can have on location.
Standard transport vehicle for film equipment with a 5-ton payload capacity — the workhorse for camera, lighting, and grip transport on mid-size productions.
What is a 5-Ton Truck?
A 5-ton truck is a transport vehicle with a payload of approximately 5 tons, used in film production for transporting equipment. It is the standard vehicle for camera, lighting, and grip on medium-sized productions.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Typical Values |
|---|---|
| Payload | 4.5–5.5 tons |
| Loading Area | Approx. 20–25 m² |
| Loading Volume | 35–45 m³ |
| Overall Length | 7–9 meters |
| Driver's License | C1 or C (depending on country) |
Vehicle Types in Film Production
| Size | Payload | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinter/Van | 1–2 tons | Small setups, inserts |
| 3.5-Tonner | 3.5 tons | Commercials, small productions |
| 5-Tonner | 5 tons | Standard medium-sized |
| 7.5-Tonner | 7.5 tons | Large productions |
| Semi-trailer truck | 20+ tons | Blockbusters, full rigs |
Typical Loadout
Camera Truck (5-Ton)
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Camera Packages | 2–3 |
| Lens Cases | 4–6 |
| Tripods, Heads | 4–6 |
| Monitors, DIT | Complete |
| Accessories | Full cases |
Lighting Truck (5-Ton)
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| HMIs | 4–8 units |
| LEDs | 10–20 panels |
| Stands | 20–30 |
| Cables | Several boxes |
| Dimmers, Distribution | Complete |
Grip Truck (5-Ton)
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dolly | 1–2 |
| Track | 20–40m |
| Flags, Frames | Full set |
| C-Stands | 20–30 |
| Rigging | Basic equipment |
Costs (Germany, approx.)
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Rental | €200–€400/day |
| Driver | €300–€500/day |
| Total incl. Diesel | €600–€1,000/day |
Logistics
Planning
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Route | Check height restrictions |
| Parking | Reserve at the shooting location |
| Loading Time | Schedule for setup |
| Permits | Apply for parking permits |
On Set
| Phase | Activity |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Positioning, securing |
| Unloading | Equipment to set |
| Standby | Truck as storage |
| Dismantling | Loading, securing |
Personnel
| Role | Task |
|---|---|
| Transport Captain | Coordination of all vehicles |
| Truck Driver | Driving, vehicle maintenance |
| Best Boy | Equipment organization |
Advantages of the 5-Tonner
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Enough for medium-sized sets |
| Maneuverability | Still manageable in cities |
| Cost | Reasonable ratio |
| Parking | Easier than large trucks |
Today
The 5-ton truck is the workhorse of the film industry – large enough for professional productions, compact enough for urban locations. From commercials to independent features, it is the first choice.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Producer
5-ton trucks are our standard for mid-size productions. They offer good capacity at still acceptable costs and parking requirements.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „5-Tonner"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?