What would be a good day rate for a 3 ton grip?

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
Just curious. What is standard? I have a list of what would be on it:
THREE TON GRIP PACKAGE

Equipment
1-Jr Taco Cart
2-18x24 OES
2-18x24 OED
2-18x24 Silk
4-18x24 Solid
1-18x24 Empty Frame
1-18x24 Wood Cuke
2-24x36 OES
2-24x36 OED
2-24x36 Silk
1-24x36 Empty Frame
4-24x36 Solids
1-24x36 Wood Cike
1-10x12 Flex Single
1-10x12 Flex Double
1-10x12 Flex Solid
1-10x12 Silk
12-Dots
8-Fingers
2-18x48 Cutter
4-24x72 Cutter Floppy
1-4x4 Single
1-4x4 Double
1-4x4 Silk
2 4x4 Floppy
2 4x4 Frames
1-6x6 Frame
1-6x6 Single
1-6x6 Double
1-6x6 Silk
1-6x6 Solid
1-6x6 Griffolyn
1-12x12 Frames
1-12x12 Single
1-12x12 Double
1-12x12 Silk
1-12x12 Solid
1-12x12 Griffolyn
1-48" Level 2- Furniture pads
1-Bullhorn
10' Rubber Matte
4-Road Cones
5-#3 Grip Clips
5-#2 Grip Clips
5-#1 Grip Clips
2-4x4 Reflectors Silver
4-1/4" 75' Hand Line
4-3/8" 50' Hand Line
2-1/2" 50' Hand Line
1-Low Combo Stand
4-Combo Stand
2-Hi Roller
12-C-Stand
2-Low C-Stand
1-4' Fiberglass Ladder
1-6' Fiberglass Ladder
1-Bag Scrap Duvatin
1- Shovel
1-Straw Broom
1-Push Broom
1-Dust Pan
1-Metal Rake
1-Leaf Rake
1-Umbrella
12-Cup Blocks
15-15-20Lb. Shortbags
4-35Lb. Sandbags
1-Box Wedges
1-Box 2x4 Cribbing
2-Ford Axles
1-Sledge Hammer
6-Full Apple Box
6-Half Apple Box
6-Quarter Apple Box
6-Eighth Apple Box
1-Fire Extingusher
1-Set 6' Jumper Cables
1-Set 3 Road Reflectors
1-Framing Square
1-24" Level
1-Handsaw
1-Crowbar
1-Channel Locks
1-Pipe Wrench
1-Hacksaw
1-Crescent Wrench
1-Vice Grips
2-Blade Screwdriver
2-Phillips Screwdriver
1-Matt Knife
1-Pilers
1-Scissors
1-File
1-25' Tape Measure
1-Staple Gun
1-Box of Staples
1-Hammer
1-Wire Brush
1-Set Allen Wrenches
2-Cube Taps
2-2/3 Adapters
1-First Aid Kit
6-Baby Nail on Plates
4-Junior Nail on Plates
2-2x4 Sliding Spuds
2-Baby Pipe Clamps
2-Jr Pipe Clamp
2-Bar Clamps W/Spuds 2-Mafer Clamps
4-Cardellini Clamps
1-2x4 Wall Spreader
2-Scissor Clam W/Spuds
2-Bead Board Holders
2-8" C-Clamp Jr Rec
2-6" C-Clamp Baty Spud
6-C-Clamp
2-Baby Offset Arms
2-Junior Offset Arms
1-Baby Side Arms
2-Spud Apadters
2-4 1/2" Grip Heads 2-Bead Board Holders
1-Matthews Dolly & Track

Expendables
1-Assorted Sand Paper
1-Box Steel Wool
1-Box Metal Push Pins
1-Box Safety Pins
2-Atg Tape 1/2"
2-Atg Tape 3/4"
1-Clothes Pins
1-#8 Stash Cord
1-Mason Line
1-12" Black Wrap
1-24" Black Wrap
1-White Camera Tape 1"
1-Black Camera Tape 1"
1-Gray Gaffers Tape
1-Black Gaffers Tape
1-White Gaffers Tape
1-2" Black Paper Tape
1-1" Black Paper Tape
1-2" Photo Black Tape
1-1" Photo Black Tape
1-1" White Paper Tape
1-2" White Paper Tape
1-2" J-Lar
1-Box Chalk
1-Sharpie
1-Dulling Spray
1-Silicone Spray
1-WD 40
1-Windex 1-3 in
1 Oil
1-Spray Adhesive
1-Baby Powder
1-Streaks N Tips-black, brown, white
1-Spray Paint-black, white
6-4x8 Foam Core (3-B/W & 3-W/W)
4-Show Card
1-Full CTB
1-Half CTB
1-Quarter CTB
1-Full CTO
1-Half CTO
1-Quarter CTO
1-3 ND
1-6 ND
1-9 ND
1-216
1-250
1-251
1-Opal Tough Frost
1-Grid Cloth
1-1000H
1-Plus Green
1-Half Plus Green
1-Quarter Plus Green
1-Eighth Plus Green
1-Minus Green
1-Half Minus Green
1-Quarter Minus Green
1-Eight Minus Green
 
This is barely a 2 ton package. Is this yours?

In the San Francisco bay area it's 175 for a 1 ton van with a similar amount of gear. I would probably pay 200-225 for this, considering there aren't very many carts and the amount of equipment on it is so little for a 3-ton.
 
No, a friend wanted me to look into it. Not on the list is the Matthews Dolly with straight track and a genny (minus fuel).

They are considering on renting it out as a side business.

Heck, I barely know what a flag is, much less a "griffolyn". And why would you need baby powder on a grip truck? For sweaty grips?
 
Doc Bernard said:
No, a friend wanted me to look into it. Not on the list is the Matthews Dolly with straight track and a genny (minus fuel).

They are considering on renting it out as a side business.

Heck, I barely know what a flag is, much less a "griffolyn". And why would you need baby powder on a grip truck? For sweaty grips?
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Use it for dolly track to help lubricate the track. No one really uses it anymore though, everyone is all about lemon pledge these days.

The doorway dolly, generator, and track are extra items, and usually people will rent those out when needed...It's pretty rare they're on as a basic package though.

Do they have shelving in the truck? Or a roadbox? Are there jockey boxes as well? One immediate thing I see is not enough sandbags. If I have all 12 of my c-stands up, some of them needed multiple bags, then I put up a 12x, things are going to get dicey.
 
Good point about the sand. I will tell them about that.

Yeah, the dolly and genny will be included in the kit.

Do they have shelving in the truck? Or a roadbox? Are there jockey boxes as well?
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LOL, I have no idea (whether they have them, or what the heck they are)...........but I will relay your question.
 
Have them check out this website:

http://www.dtcgrip.com/Rentals/

This is the rental house I work at sometimes. Just looking at the numbers you can see how fat this truck is compared to their list...I would just let them use this as a guide if they're really looking to make it a 3 ton package.
 
I have passed on your great advice to my friends. They thank you.

So......for the ideal 3 ton, what would you want on it? What would you like on it? (keeping in mind it is a 3 Ton set-up) What would you think would be a great addition that you wouldn't normally see on a 3 ton?

They are getting a truck with a lift gate (which is very smart), rather than have a U-haul style ramp.
 
The DTC 3 ton is a pretty standard package. I would use that as a guide.

In terms of carts, if it had a super duz all cart instead of the jr. taco that would be a lot better. The Jr. taco is more of a cart for a sprinter or a smaller vehicle than a 3 ton. A muscle cart and a magliner would also be good. Muscle cart mostly for sandbags.

In terms of things I look for, have they bought all this gear yet? If not, be sure to buy all American everything. If I'm going to pay top dollar for a truck, I don't want a truck with norms or matthews gear on it, and 98% of the grips I know will agree with that.

What we do at my shop is always have 2 rolls of gels on the truck, 1 partial, 1 full. I think a similar system for this truck would also be good.
 
RyanT said:
In terms of things I look for, have they bought all this gear yet? If not, be sure to buy all American everything. If I'm going to pay top dollar for a truck, I don't want a truck with norms or matthews gear on it, and 98% of the grips I know will agree with that.
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That's rather extreme, and IMO an unrealistic and unwise business plan.

American makes very good gear. But so does Matthews, Modern and Norms. Is there stuff I think American does better than the others? Yes. But I own a lot of gear from all those companies and could say the same about each of them. You will find equipment from all of those companies on professional film and TV sets.

I've got some American gear that has not held up well, and some MSE stuff that has. I've got some MSE gear that has not held up well, and some American stuff that has. Matthews is a complicated place. Norms is family run with excellent customer service. I can't imagine better baby stands than my stainless ones from Modern Studio Equipment. Think the chrome plating on one make is better than another? Guess what, three of these four companies, if not all four, have their chrome plating done at the same place. Each is making professional tools within miles of each other in the SFV. Point is, just like with mechanics tools, the best outfitted garage, er truck, will have gear from various manufacturers.

That said, I would stick to those companies for most of your grip gear as they are what is expected in a pro package.
 
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RyanT said:
In terms of things I look for, have they bought all this gear yet? If not, be sure to buy all American everything. If I'm going to pay top dollar for a truck, I don't want a truck with norms or matthews gear on it, and 98% of the grips I know will agree with that.
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Ridiculous.
 
maplecap said:
That's rather extreme, and IMO an unrealistic and unwise business plan.

American makes very good gear. But so does Matthews, Modern and Norms. Is there stuff I think American does better than the others? Yes. But I own a lot of gear from all those companies and could say the same about each of them. You will find equipment from all of those companies on professional film and TV sets.
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We loaded some trucks recently for a new PT anderson movie coming out...the grips and electrics all made sure we had all american stuff on their trucks, and even the smaller clients ask us to swap out things with American stands. It's not so much that I'm saying that the American gear 100x better than everything else and you'd die using any other gear, but I notice around here there is a perception thing going on. People just like their stuff and expect it if they're paying good money for their rentals. Maybe that's different elsewhere.

Maybe you could find a different vendor for rags, sand, shot, and maybe some of your smaller grip gear if that makes more sense from a financial standpoint.

I just imagine if you go through one vendor for your gear you can probably get a hefty discount from them. I already know that if you walk into American in LA, you can get 30% off all of their gear. Don't know if you're close enough to do that, but it's something that changes most peoples minds about their pricing.

As far as business...I admit to know nothing about that, I just know lights and I know what I would like on my 3 ton.
 
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The 100% US gear sounds like a "union" thing, and I have heard of it before. And personally, to each their own, it's their choice. But this truck would be used for your "indie" shoots, where everyone is trying to preserve their budgets, though the guys are looking to get the best quality and lowest priced gear.

Also talked about their business plan, and I gotta say I am impressed.

What we do at my shop is always have 2 rolls of gels on the truck, 1 partial, 1 full. I think a similar system for this truck would also be good.
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Another good point.
 
Doc Bernard said:
The 100% US gear sounds like a "union" thing, and I have heard of it before. And personally, to each their own, it's their choice. But this truck would be used for your "indie" shoots, where everyone is trying to preserve their budgets, though the guys are looking to get the best quality and lowest priced gear.
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When RyanT mentioned "American" he was talking about the American Grip brand. Meaning he prefers their equipment over some of the others like MSE and Norms.
 
RyanT said:
Have them check out this website:

http://www.dtcgrip.com/Rentals/

This is the rental house I work at sometimes. Just looking at the numbers you can see how fat this truck is compared to their list...I would just let them use this as a guide if they're really looking to make it a 3 ton package.
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One thing to be careful with is pricing. Due to the market size you'll likely find less expensive options in the greater Los Angeles than in San Francisco. I've used DTC, & they are good, but their pricing is a bit high by LA standards.

Best,
Bern
 
RyanT said:
I just imagine if you go through one vendor for your gear you can probably get a hefty discount from them. I already know that if you walk into American in LA, you can get 30% off all of their gear. Don't know if you're close enough to do that, but it's something that changes most peoples minds about their pricing.
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You do not have a location indicated in your profile. As mine shows, I'm in LA. I've been to all these companies. I've watched them make their gear. As I said, I own equipment from American (and Matthews, Modern and Norms).

I know that there are grips who prefer American over Matthews. I know grips who prefer Modern over both. And there are far more producers who expect Matthews, because that's what they associate with pro gear.

If you've got a large company and inventory and can outfit rental trucks with just American for a particular gig, at the request of a client, that's one thing. I've always been picky about gear in prep and at pickups myself; I understand clients having preferences based on their experience.
 
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