Picture Car Glossary
hauler in film production
What is a hauler in film production?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called car hauler, or transporter.
A hauler is the transportation provider responsible for physically moving picture cars between storage facilities, prep shops, and filming locations.
Haulers use enclosed or flatbed trailers sized to the vehicles in question and coordinate with the picture car coordinator and transportation captain to ensure vehicles arrive in correct condition and on schedule. On union productions, hauling falls under Teamsters jurisdiction and must be performed by qualified drivers with the appropriate commercial license and endorsements.
Example
Twelve vehicles move from a storage lot to a location 90 miles away. The hauler runs two trips with a six-car trailer, and those moves are billed per trip whether the cars shoot that day or sit on hold.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Booked by transportation, and a line separate from the vehicle rental itself.
Common mistake
Budgeting one hauler trip per vehicle. Cars shuttle between storage, prep, and set more than once, and each move is billed whether or not the car shoots that day.
Related questions
- What does a hauler do on a production?
- Moves picture cars between storage, prep shops, and locations on a trailer, rather than driving them and adding mileage and wear.
- Why not just drive the picture cars to set?
- Mileage, wear, weather, and risk. On period or high-value vehicles the rental agreement often requires transport rather than driving.
Official sources
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