As warehouse space becomes more expensive and throughput expectations increase, businesses are forced to store more in less space. The solution? Narrow aisle equipment.
But “narrow aisle forklift” isn’t one machine — it’s a category. And choosing the wrong type can limit productivity, increase damage, or create costly workflow bottlenecks.
Let’s break down the four most common narrow aisle lift trucks:
- Reach Trucks
- Deep Reach (Double Reach) Trucks
- Turret Trucks (VNA)
- Order Pickers
And more importantly — when each one actually makes sense.
Reach Trucks
A classic narrow aisle solution.
A reach truck is designed for racking applications where the load must extend (reach) forward into the rack. The forks extend past the stabilizing legs, allowing tighter aisle widths than a traditional sit-down forklift.
Key Characteristics:
- Typically operate in 9-10 ft aisles
- Lift heights often 20-30+ feet
- Best for single-deep racking
- Electric-powered
Best For:
- Standard warehouse pallet storage
- High stacking in moderate-density layouts
- Operations prioritizing flexibility
Critical Limitation:
They’re not ideal for outdoor use and don’t perform well on uneven surfaces.
Examples include models from Hyster, Crown Equipment Corporation, and Toyota Material Handling.
Deep Reach (Double Reach) Trucks
Think of this as a reach truck with extended capability.
A deep reach truck can access two pallets deep in racking. Instead of just reaching into the first pallet position, it telescopes further to retrieve the second.
Key Characteristics:
- Works with double-deep racking systems
- Improves storage density
- Similar aisle width to standard reach trucks
Best For:
- Warehouses needing higher pallet density
- Cold storage environments
- High-SKU facilities with selective but dense storage
Trade-Off:
You gain density but sacrifice immediate access to every pallet. The rear pallet must be accessed first.
Turret Trucks (VNA – Very Narrow Aisle)
Now we’re in high-density territory.
Turret trucks operate in very narrow aisles (as tight as 5–6 feet) and feature a rotating turret head that turns the forks left or right without turning the truck.
Some systems are wire-guided or rail-guided for precision.
Key Characteristics:
- Extremely high lift heights (30-40+ feet)
- Operate in fixed aisles
- Maximum vertical cube utilization
Best For:
- Distribution centers
- High-volume storage facilities
- Operations where floor space is at a premium
Important Consideration:
Turret trucks are less flexible. They’re designed to live in those aisles — not travel freely across mixed environments.
Common VNA equipment manufacturers include Jungheinrich and Linde Material Handling.
Order Pickers
Unlike the previous trucks, order pickers are built for piece picking, not just full pallet movement.
The operator platform rises with the forks, allowing workers to manually pick cases or individual items at height.
Key Characteristics:
- Operator elevates with the load
- Designed for case picking and e-commerce
- Various lift heights (low-level to high-level)
Best For:
- E-commerce fulfillment
- Retail distribution
- Operations with high SKU counts
Strategic Advantage:
Order pickers improve picking efficiency but are not intended for heavy pallet movement like reach or turret trucks.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s the reality:
Most operations don’t fail because they bought the wrong forklift.
They fail because they didn’t align the forklift with the racking system, SKU profile, and throughput demands.
Ask yourself:
- Are you pallet in / pallet out — or piece picking?
- Is your bottleneck storage density or labor efficiency?
- Do you need flexibility or maximum cube utilization?
- Are your aisles fixed or subject to layout changes?
If you’re running standard selective racking and want flexibility → Reach Truck
If you need higher pallet density without going full VNA → Deep Reach
If you want maximum vertical cube usage → Turret Truck
If you’re picking individual SKUs → Order Picker
Narrow aisle equipment isn’t just about tighter aisles. It’s about engineering your warehouse around flow, density, and long-term scalability.
The wrong choice locks you into inefficiency for years.
The right choice compounds productivity.
If you’re considering upgrading your narrow aisle equipment or redesigning your layout, now is the time to evaluate it strategically — not reactively.
👉 Browse our Narrow Aisle Truck Selection here!
👉 Talk to our team to determine with solution will work best for your facility.
👉 Book a service or certification for your narrow aisle fleet today!
👉 Need training on how to use these in your facility? Click here.