DRIVE-IN
RACKING
Maximum storage density with minimal footprint. Forklifts drive directly into the rack structure for deep-lane pallet storage — up to 75% more capacity than selective racking.
Why DRIVE-IN RACKING?
The Problem
Your warehouse is running out of space, but you’re not ready to move to a larger facility. Every square foot of floor costs $8–15/year in lease payments, and you’re wasting it on wide aisles between selective racks that are half-empty.
Why It Gets Worse
Adding more selective racking just eats more aisle space. Mezzanines are expensive and disruptive to install. Meanwhile, your inventory is growing 15-20% year over year and the walls aren’t moving.
The Solution
Drive-in racking eliminates aisles by letting forklifts drive directly into the rack structure. Pallets store 5-10 deep on continuous rails. The result: up to 75% more pallet positions in the same footprint. Perfect for high-volume, low-SKU operations where LIFO inventory rotation works.
Configuration Options
DRIVE-IN
LIFO — Single Entry
Ideal For
- Bulk commodity storage
- Seasonal inventory
- Low-SKU, high-volume operations
- Cold storage and freezers
- Cost-per-position optimization
Key Advantages
- Maximum storage density
- Lowest cost per pallet position
- Simple loading process
- No special equipment required
- Ideal for uniform loads
DRIVE-THROUGH
FIFO — Dual Entry
Ideal For
- Perishable goods
- Date-sensitive inventory
- FIFO-regulated industries
- Cross-dock operations
- Through-flow logistics
Key Advantages
- Automatic FIFO rotation
- High density + date control
- Dual-side access
- Reduced product expiration
- Compliance-ready
Technical Specifications
Drive-In/Drive-Through Specifications
| Parameter | Standard Range | Custom Options | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Depth | 5–10 pallets | Up to 12 pallets | — |
| Load Capacity | 2,000–3,000 lbs/pallet | Up to 4,000 lbs | Powder Coat, Galvanized |
| Height | 12’–40’ | Custom heights | — |
| Rail Type | Continuous support rails | Custom profiles | — |
| Upright Spacing | Based on pallet width | Customizable | — |
| Material | Structural steel | Custom gauges | — |
Industry Applications
Cold Storage & Freezer
Maximize expensive temperature-controlled space. Drive-in racking delivers the highest pallet density in freezer environments.
Beverage Distribution
Cases of identical product stored deep. LIFO works perfectly when every pallet contains the same SKU.
Seasonal Storage
Holiday inventory, agricultural products, and seasonal goods stored in bulk during peak periods.
Bulk Commodity
High-volume, single-SKU storage where maximum density matters more than individual pallet access.
Why Choose 416 Industrial
Up to 75% More Capacity
Eliminate aisles and store pallets 5-10 deep. The highest storage density of any conventional racking system.
Lowest Cost Per Position
Fewer uprights, fewer beams, fewer aisles. Drive-in racking delivers the best economics for bulk storage.
Cold Storage Optimized
Purpose-built for freezer environments where every cubic foot of temperature-controlled space costs premium dollars.
Simple & Proven
No moving parts, no gravity rollers, no carts. Drive-in racking is structurally straightforward and maintenance-minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drive-in has one entry point (LIFO — last in, first out). Drive-through has entry from both ends (FIFO — first in, first out). Drive-in is more common and less expensive because it only needs one access aisle. Drive-through is used when stock rotation matters, such as perishable goods.
Standard configurations support 5–10 pallets deep. Deeper lanes increase density but reduce access speed. We recommend 6–8 pallets deep as the optimal balance between density and operational efficiency for most applications.
Standard counterbalance forklifts work with drive-in racking. Reach trucks can also be used. The key requirement is that the forklift must be narrow enough to enter the lane and tall enough to reach the top storage level. We provide clearance specifications during the design phase.
Standard drive-in systems support 2,000–3,000 lbs per pallet position. Custom engineering can increase this to 4,000+ lbs. Capacity depends on lane depth, height, and structural design. All systems are engineered to CSA and RMI standards.
Drive-in racking costs more per linear foot of structure but dramatically less per pallet position because you eliminate aisles. In a typical installation, drive-in delivers 40–75% more pallet positions at a 15–25% lower cost per position compared to selective racking.
Request Pricing
Or call us directly:
(416) 555-0416