What is Teardrop Racking?

Teardrop is the most popular style of pallet racking in America.

This racking style is successful because it is very easy to install and reconfigure. Many American companies manufacture Teardrop components which are generally interchangeable. So what is Teardrop Racking?

Characteristics of Teardrop Style Racking

Teardrop beams and uprights are made with roll formed steel. Uprights have punched holes shaped like upside-down teardrops, giving it the name. These holes accept hooks in the beams, forming the primary support connection. The holes and pins always have a 2″ vertical spacing. This is a convenient convention for setting beam levels.

 

Easy Availability of Teardrop Racking

As we mentioned, several American companies manufacture Teardrop (not to mention a lot of Chinese companies). This means there is little chance of the style becoming obsolete any time soon and parts are easy to find.

Warehousers often choose Teardrop because they have the greatest likelihood of finding replacement or add-on parts. Lots of this will eventually be dismantled and reused, so you can usually find used Teardrop locally. It’s also the most universal style for accepting accessories like row spacers, post protectors, decking and much more.

Finally, Teardrop is ideal for selective racking systems, but integrates well with alternative systems like drive-in, push-back, pallet-flow, pick modules and more.

Installation Benefits

Installing this style is arguably easier than most other styles. For one thing, most racking installers are highly familiar with Teardrop.

Another installation advantage is the integrated hooking connection. One person can usually install a Teardrop beam. Some other styles have additional clips that may require two people to install one beam.

Conclusion

Teardrop is just one of the many styles available in the USA, and its popularity basically comes down to performance availability. Of the many manufacturers, most produce good product. For typical storage needs, it will perform well, and you will always be able to find more.