Which Size Grip Truck Do I Need? A Production Guide

When you are planning a photo or video shoot, figuring out your camera package and lighting setup is usually the first priority. But once that gear list starts growing, a major logistical question pops up: How are we going to get all of this to set?

For anything larger than a simple, single-camera interview, packing individual gear bags into personal vehicles quickly becomes a logistical nightmare. That is where renting a pre-loaded grip truck comes into play. It keeps your equipment organized, secure, and ready to roll.

However, grip trucks aren't one-size-fits-all. If you rent a truck that is too small, you risk leaving essential gear behind. Rent one that is too big, and you are paying for unused space while struggling to find parking on tight city streets.

To help you choose the right vehicle for your next project, here is a straightforward breakdown of the most common grip truck sizes and how to decide which one fits your shoot.

The Grip Truck Lineup: Size by Size

1-Ton Grip Van (or Sprinter)

• Best For: Small crews, corporate interviews, documentaries, indie music videos, and quick multi-location shoots.

• The Setup: Typically built out of a high-roof van like a Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit.

• Why Choose It: It handles like a standard consumer vehicle, meaning almost anyone on your crew can drive it, and it fits into standard parking spaces. It holds a surprising amount of gear—usually a solid selection of C-stands, basic tungsten or LED lighting packages, compact continuous power options, and essential grip hardware. If you are shooting on tight city streets (like downtown San Francisco), this is often the most practical choice.

3-Ton Grip Truck

• Best For: Mid-sized commercial shoots, high-end music videos, short films, and look-book photo shoots.

• The Setup: Usually a medium-duty box truck (typically 14 to 16 feet long) with a hydraulic liftgate.

• Why Choose It: The 3-ton is the "workhorse" of the independent commercial world. It steps up the inventory significantly, carrying larger overhead frames (6×6 and 12×12), heavier duty stands (like combos and hi-risers), a broader selection of electrical distribution, and plenty of sandbags. It gives a creative lighting director or gaffer room to adapt if the setup changes mid-day, without the massive footprint of a heavy-duty truck.

5-Ton Grip Truck

• Best For: Large-scale commercials, indie feature films, and complex television productions.

• The Setup: A large box truck (often 20 to 24 feet) that requires a commercial parking footprint and a confident, experienced driver.

• Why Choose It: A 5-ton truck is designed for shoots with substantial lighting setups and larger crews. It carries a massive amount of distribution cable, large continuous lights (like heavy HMI arrays or large LED setups), comprehensive rigging hardware, and multiple 12×12 frames. If your shoot involves lighting up massive interior spaces or controlling the sun on outdoor daytime sets, a 5-ton provides the horsepower you need.

10-Ton Grip Truck (and Beyond)

• Best For: Studio feature films, network television series, and massive live events.

• The Setup: A massive semi-truck or heavy-duty freight liner.

• Why Choose It: These are moving warehouses. They carry specialized, heavy-duty rigging equipment, extensive power generation systems, and enough duplicate gear to supply multiple camera units operating simultaneously.

3 Questions to Ask Before You Rent

To narrow down exactly which size you need, ask your key crew members (specifically your Gaffer and Key Grip) these three questions:

1. Where are we shooting? A 5-ton truck might have the gear you want, but if you are shooting in a residential neighborhood with narrow streets and steep hills, you physically might not be able to park it. Always balance your gear needs with your location's physical constraints.

2. What is the scale of our lighting package? Stands take up some room, but large lighting fixtures, heavy-duty distribution cables, and generators dictate the actual volume of the truck. If you are using massive modifiers or heavy overhead frames, you will need a liftgate and a larger box truck to transport them safely.

3. Who is driving? While many 3-ton and 5-ton rental trucks are rated below the weight limit requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), they are still large, heavy vehicles. Make sure you have a crew member who is comfortable navigating and backing up a large box truck.

Sourcing Your Truck in the Bay Area

If you are prepping a shoot in Northern California, CFG Rental Group in Emeryville offers a fully managed fleet of custom, pre-loaded grip trucks spanning all of these sizes.

Because they house both a massive rental inventory and a dedicated retail storefront (the DTC Studio Store) under one roof, you can rent a truck that is already perfectly organized, pick up your last-minute gaffer tape and expendables, and hit the road.

If you are still unsure which size fits your specific gear list, you can email your requirements to SF@cfg.rentals or call their Emeryville office at 510-595-0770. Their staff can look over your equipment manifest and recommend the exact right vehicle to keep your production efficient, safe, and on budget.