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Straddle Style
 This style places the carriage between the guide beams and applies the load forces in the vertical direction along the length of the guide beams. This design allows for greater lifting capacities, larger platform sizes, and the ability to handle higher rollover forces created during loading and unloading. The method of loading and unloading and the resultant rollover forces must be specified by the owner and accommodated by the manufacturer when the equipment is designed and manufactured. A disadvantage of the straddle design is its limitation to loading and unloading from the two ends opposite each other.
Cantilever Style
 This type of VRC has the load carrying carriage mounted in front of the mast or guide beams. Four advantages of the cantilever design are: 1) the design allows access to three sides of the platform for loading and unloading, 2) the carriage overhead clearance may not be restricted by an overhead structural member as on a straddle design, 3) the overall height of the unit may be less than for other designs, and 4) the footprint of the equipment may be reduced requiring less space for a given size carriage or carrier. These criteria may vary based on the particular application and should be reviewed on a case by case basis with the manufacturer. Two disadvantages to this design are: 1) the loading creates an overturning moment on the guide structure which must be translated to the surrounding building or structure via bracing and 2) platform sizes and capacities may be limited due to the positioning of the load in relation to the guide structure.
Four Post Style
 This VRC design has the platform mounted within the four guide beams. An advantage of this design is the opportunity to use very large platform sizes and very high capacities. The four post design channels the loads vertically through the guide beams and to the floor. Bracing is recommended to handle the lateral loads imposed based on the particular application. This design allows access from four sides for loading and unloading. A disadvantage is a larger footprint.
Dual Mast Style
 This design is similar to the four post in that it requires the use of four guide beams, but the difference is that the carriage is cantilevered between the two sets of masts and the capacity and platform sizes are less when compared to the four post design. Two advantages of this design are: 1) larger carriage or carrier sizes are allowable compared to the two post design, and 2) the overhead clearance of the load height is unhindered by structural cross members compared to the four post design. Two disadvantages of this design compared to the four post design are: 1) loading is limited to the two ends and 2) platform sizes are not as large for a given capacity.
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