Double Deep racking quotation based on pallet weight, forklift type and your actual warehouse
Double Deep racking increases storage density by storing pallets two positions deep. It suits warehouses that want more capacity but do not yet need the extreme density of Drive-In. A quotation for this system cannot be accurate without the pallet weight, the level heights, the reach truck or pantograph in use, the number of SKUs and the company’s inbound and outbound strategy.
Quick summary
Double Deep is usually chosen when a business wants around 30–50% more storage density than Selective while keeping better operating flexibility than Drive-In. The investment depends heavily on pallet weight, warehouse height, run depth, the specialised forklift, the number of frames and beams and the level of safety protection to be fitted. For warehouses with few SKUs but a relatively large number of pallets per item, Double Deep usually gives a good cost per pallet position.
When should you use Double Deep racking?
Warehouses that need more capacity
When Selective takes up too much aisle space but the business still needs acceptable pallet access, Double Deep is a sensible next step.
Warehouses with a moderate number of SKUs
Suitable when each item has more pallets and the business accepts that the rear pallet is not immediately accessible as with Selective.
Warehouses with suitable forklifts
Double Deep works best when the warehouse already has, or is ready to invest in, a reach truck or pantograph suited to the two-deep configuration.
When should you not choose Double Deep?
- When the business has too many SKUs and needs direct access to each pallet every day.
- When the current forklift fleet is unsuitable and the business does not want to invest in additional specialised equipment.
- When FIFO is required too strictly at individual pallet level with no compensating operating solution.
- When goods vary too much in weight and size, making it hard to standardise the racking runs.
What determines a Double Deep racking quotation
1. Weight per pallet
This is the basis for calculating beams, frames, bracing and connection details. Increasing the pallet weight usually raises the structural cost considerably.
2. Warehouse height
The taller the warehouse, the greater the demands on stability, lifting equipment and impact protection. The height also determines how many usable levels you get.
3. Forklift type
Double Deep requires a reach truck or a suitable fork/attachment solution. Choosing the wrong truck sharply reduces operating efficiency even though capacity increases.
4. Number of SKUs and stock rotation
If each item has only a few pallets, Double Deep can be more inconvenient than beneficial. If each item has a steady quantity, the system is usually more effective.
5. Level of safety protection
Column base guards, end-of-run frames, load notice plates, anti-fall bars and guidance solutions reduce impact risk and should be costed properly in the quotation.
6. Site conditions
Building columns, loading doors, docks, forklift routes and staging areas all change how the racking runs are divided and how efficiently the floor area is used.
Indicative price list by configuration band
| Reference configuration | Pallet load | Typical application | Indicative price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Double Deep | 800–1,200 kg per pallet | Distribution centres, trading warehouses, light production stores | From about VND 0.3–0.5 million per equivalent pallet position |
| Medium-duty Double Deep | 1,200–1,500 kg per pallet | FMCG warehouses, raw-material stores, logistics warehouses | From about VND 0.5–0.7 million per equivalent pallet position |
| Heavy-duty or high-bay Double Deep | 1,500–2,000 kg per pallet or more | Industrial warehouses, cold stores, tall-building projects | From about VND 0.7–0.9 million per equivalent pallet position, or higher depending on the configuration |
These prices are for preliminary budgeting only. An accurate quotation must be tied to the warehouse layout, the pallet dimensions, the forklift type and the actual number of pallet positions.
Why can Double Deep quotations differ so much for the same warehouse area?
Different numbers of usable levels
Two warehouses may have the same floor area, but if the heights differ the number of usable pallet levels differs too, and so does the investment.
Different pallet standards
Non-uniform pallet sizes or goods that overhang change the beam length, the clearances and the safety configuration.
Different forklift types
If a suitable reach truck has to be purchased, the business must weigh both the CAPEX for the racking and the CAPEX/OPEX for the handling equipment.
Different storage strategies
Buffer stock, raw-material and picking warehouses each follow a different storage logic, which changes the number of lanes and blocks and how items are allocated.
What to prepare for an accurate quotation
- Pallet dimensions and the heaviest pallet weight.
- The number of SKUs, the average number of pallets per SKU and the stock rotation rate.
- The usable warehouse height, photographs of the site and a floor layout if available.
- The forklift type currently in use or planned for purchase.
- Requirements for throughput speed, FIFO/FILO and the inbound/outbound staging areas.
- Any specific safety requirements or operating constraints at the plant.
Key point: Double Deep only works when the racking configuration and the handling equipment are matched correctly. If a business looks only at the racking price and ignores the forklift and the operating flow, the total cost may not be optimal.
At a glance: Selective, Double Deep and Drive-In
| Criterion | Selective | Double Deep | Drive-In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet accessibility | Highest | Medium | Lower, depending on configuration |
| Storage density | Lower | Higher than Selective | Very high |
| Forklift requirement | More standard | Needs a truck suited to Double Deep | Needs lane-driving skills |
| Suited to | Many SKUs, direct access required | A moderate number of SKUs, more capacity needed | Uniform goods stored in batches |
Technical and safety notes for a Double Deep project
Double Deep is not simply “adding one more pallet row of depth”. It directly affects the choice of forklift, the inbound and outbound procedures, safety clearances and stability when storing at height. A business needs to review the loads, beam deflection, pallet tolerances, column base protection and the load notice plate for each run. Forklift driver training also matters, because placing a pallet in the rear position differs from ordinary Selective racking.
Further guidance can be found from OSHA on warehouse hazards, OSHA on materials handling, HSE on internal warehouse traffic, MHI and the racking industry’s safety standards and recommendations via RMI Rack Safety.
Get a Double Deep racking quotation for your pallets and actual warehouse
Send your warehouse layout, pallet dimensions, warehouse height and forklift details, and the Long Quyen team will propose a Double Deep configuration matched to your capacity goals and long-term operability.
Send your details for a proposal
Frequently asked questions
How much more capacity does Double Deep give compared with Selective?
Depending on the layout and the number of levels, many warehouses gain around 30–50% more capacity than with Selective, but the real figure also depends on the aisles and the pallet dimensions.
Does Double Deep require a specialised forklift?
In most cases a reach truck or a suitable fork solution is needed to handle the rear pallet safely. This must be budgeted alongside the racking quotation.
Is this system suitable for warehouses with many SKUs?
If each SKU has only a very few pallets, Double Deep may not be optimal. It suits situations where each item has enough pallets to make use of the two-deep configuration.
Should the quotation be per pallet or per rack set?
A business should look at both the cost per equivalent pallet position and the total project cost to judge the investment properly.
What should I send to get a quotation fastest?
Send the pallet dimensions and weights, the number of SKUs, photographs of the warehouse, the warehouse height and details of the forklift in use or planned.
Contact the Long Quyen engineering team
If you are weighing up Selective, Double Deep and Drive-In, Long Quyen can help with the survey, the layout calculation and a budget estimate based on your real storage objectives.
- Hotline: 0903422179 (Mr. Dat) – 0903412296 (Mr. Hien) – 0903434374 (Mr. Cam)
- Email: contact@giakelongquyen.com – contact@longquyen.com
- Office: 79 Dao Tan St., Giang Vo Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
- Factory: 1085 Phuc Dien St., Xuan Phuong Ward, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
See also Selective racking quotation, Drive-In racking quotation, the Double Deep guide, the warehouse racking selection guide or contact us directly.
Double Deep racking is trusted by many customers for its outstanding quality and competitive price. When buying Double Deep racking, give preference to a supplier with quality certification and a clear warranty policy. Investing in properly engineered Double Deep racking optimises storage space and saves cost over the long term. Research Double Deep racking carefully before deciding, to make sure it matches your real needs. In 2026, Double Deep racking remains a leading choice thanks to its durability, range of sizes and reasonable price. We are proud to be a leading supplier of high-quality Double Deep racking for warehouses and plants of every size.
