Tire rack, loading and unloading systems and methods

A rack for holding tires, said rack comprising:

• a top frame and an intermediate frame configured to compress and prevent permanent deformation of a top set of tires therebetween;
• a bottom frame and said intermediate frame configured to compress and prevent permanent deformation of a bottom set of tires therebetween, wherein said bottom frame and said intermediate frame are configured to compress said bottom set of tires, wherein said bottom set of tires is configured as a row of tires and wherein said top frame and said intermediate frame are configured to compress said top set of tires, wherein said top set of tires is configured as a row of tires, and wherein said bottom frame and said intermediate frame are configured to compress a bottom set of tires stacked in a herringbone arrangement and wherein said top frame and said intermediate frame are configured to compress said top set of tires, wherein said top set of tires are stacked in a herringbone arrangement;
• and
• a vertical member attached to said top frame, said intermediate frame and said bottom frame, wherein said vertical member is configured with at least one of a concave surface and a plurality of flat surfaces arranged in a concave pattern, and wherein at least one of said concave surface and said plurality of flat surfaces is configured to contact said tires, and wherein said vertical member is stored parallel to said bottom frame and said top frame, and wherein said vertical member is stored between said bottom frame and said top frame, and wherein said vertical member is configured with an internal member and an external member, said external member being configured to contact said tires;
• wherein said bottom frame, said intermediate frame, and said top frame are configured to store in a condensed configuration for return shipment with said vertical member,
• wherein said rack is configured to be stackable and configured to support a weight of another rack loaded with tires, and
• wherein said rack is further configured with an attachment mechanism to facilitate attaching said vertical member to at least one of said bottom frame, said intermediate frame, and said top frame.