Process trailer rental
A process trailer is a towed vehicle or trailer designed to carry personnel, equipment or other vehicles. It is pulled by a camera car or heavier equipment sized for the shot. Moving Shot lists 10 vendors across 4 states.
What is a process trailer?
- A process trailer is a towed vehicle or trailer designed to carry personnel, equipment or other vehicles. It is pulled by a camera car or heavier equipment sized for the shot. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum A, Process Trailer/Towed Vehicle (rev. 08/28/12)
- A camera car and process trailer used together are commonly called a camera car unit. Source: Actsafe, Guidelines for Traditional Camera Cars and Process Trailers
When it is used
- Used when the picture car and its actors ride on the trailer so nobody on camera has to drive, under the same conditions that call for a camera car. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8, Guidelines for Traditional Camera Cars (rev. 07/19/06)
Typical crew
- Only people essential to the shot ride the towed vehicle; everyone else rides the camera car. Towing does not raise the allowed number of people. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum A, Process Trailer/Towed Vehicle (rev. 08/28/12)
Typical package
Gear the listed vendors publish on their own sites. Check each vendor for current inventory.
Biscuit Jr · C-2 Chase Car · Edge Crane · Escalade · Maverick · MTV with Crane · Porsche Camera Car · Process Trailer · Push Pull Rig · Remote Drive POD
Safety notes
- Any towed vehicle or platform counts as part of the camera car and follows every Bulletin #8 rule. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum A, Process Trailer/Towed Vehicle (rev. 08/28/12)
- All equipment, including dollies, boom arms, lights, grip and effects gear, is secured or safety strapped. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8 Addendum A, Process Trailer/Towed Vehicle (rev. 08/28/12)
- Nobody walks between the camera car and the towed vehicle with the engine running, and nobody rides the tow bar while moving. Source: CSATF Safety Bulletin #8, Guidelines for Traditional Camera Cars (rev. 07/19/06)
Permits and police
- City of LA: insert car with process trailer needs a minimum of 3 LAPD motorcycle officers plus LAPD review of location, time of day and traffic volume. Source: FilmLA, LAPD Motion Picture Officer Hire Assignments
- FilmLA Grid permits cannot use process trailers without assigned safety personnel. Source: FilmLA, Grid Locations
Process trailers vendors
Pursuit Systems
North Hollywood, CA
High-performance camera cars, insert car, process trailer, and a gyro-stabilized crane.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
- Remote heads
- Gyro-stabilized
Camera Cars Unlimited
Agoura Hills, CA
Insert cars, process trailers, and tow dollies. Open since 1979.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
Chase Car Inc.
Valencia, CA
Insert car, Porsche Cayenne Gemini Crane, process trailer, tow dolly, and Black Unicorn remote system.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
- Remote heads
Malibu Autobahn
Los Angeles, CA
Process trailers and tow dollies. Picture cars are a separate line on the same site.
- Process trailers
Metro Camera Cars
New York, NY
Arm car, Technoscope F17, chase truck, tow rig, Flight Head, and Libra options.
- Camera cars
- Technocrane
- Remote heads
- Process trailers
Midwest Camera Car
Chicago, IL
Telescopic U-Crane 6, F27 Technoscope, process trailers, and tow dollies.
- Camera cars
- Technocrane
- Process trailers
- Remote heads
Unique Producers
Miami, FL
Miami insert car and process trailer. Site lists SuperTechno crane capacity on the Ford F-450.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
- Technocrane
Action Camera Cars
Yonkers, NY
Yonkers camera cars, process trailers, chase vehicles, and tow dollies.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
Allan Padelford Camera Cars
Santa Clarita, CA
Camera cars, insert cars, process trailers, the Escalade with the EDGE crane, and the Biscuit rigs. Founded in 1988.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
All-In-One Truck
Stevenson Ranch, CA
Camera car and process trailer rental for film, TV, commercials, and music videos since 2005.
- Camera cars
- Process trailers
Related rig types
Questions
Questions
- Where can I rent a process trailer?
- Moving Shot lists 10 vendors that publish process trailers on their own sites, based in California, Florida, Illinois, New York.
- What is a process trailer?
- A trailer built to carry crew, equipment or a picture car, towed by a camera car or heavier equipment. CSATF treats it as part of the camera car.
- Can more people ride if you add a process trailer?
- No. CSATF Addendum A says towing does not increase the allowed number of people.
- How many LAPD officers does a process trailer shot need?
- FilmLA lists a minimum of 3 motorcycle officers for an insert car with process trailer in the City of Los Angeles.