How a tote rack holds plastic storage bins
A tote rack works like a dresser with a tote for every drawer. Each tote slides in long side first and hangs by the lip of its lid on two 2x4 runners, one on each side of the bay. Because nothing is stacked, you can pull out the bottom tote without lifting the ones above it.
Three measurements of the tote set the whole rack. The width across the lid rim sets how far apart the posts go, with a little room on each side. The runners sit just wider apart than the tote's body, so the body drops between them and the rim rests on top. The length sets how deep the rack is, and the height plus a small gap sets the spacing between rows.
Storage totes and bins this rack fits
Gallons don't tell you the size. Heavy-duty 27 gallon totes alone come in four footprints, and a rack built for one is too narrow for another, so the configurator sizes the rack to the exact tote you own. These are the totes it knows, by brand and from small to large, rolling totes included; each has its own plan page with the cut list for a 3×3 rack.
Sizes are with the lid on, in inches: length × width across the lid rim × height. They come from store listings, except the ones marked Measured, which builders measured. Wheels marks a rolling tote.
HDX The Home Depot · 10 sizes
HDX 7 gal18 13/16 × 13 3/8 × 10 5/8 in
HDX 9 gal18 13/16 × 13 3/8 × 13 5/8 in
HDX 12 gal22 5/16 × 15 3/8 × 12 3/16 in
HDX 14 gal28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 10 3/8 in
HDX 17 gal26 3/4 × 17 3/4 × 12 1/2 in
HDX 27 gal28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 15 3/8 in
HDX 40 gal38 1/8 × 22 × 15 3/16 in
HDX 40 gal Wheels39 3/16 × 22 × 15 3/16 in
HDX 57 gal45 7/16 × 21 1/8 × 19 1/2 in
HDX 77 gal Wheels44 13/16 × 23 3/8 × 22 5/16 in
HDX sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDX 7 galTough Storage Tote | 18 13/16 × 13 3/8 × 10 5/8 in | The Home Depot | Not the taller HDX 9 gal |
| HDX 9 galTough Storage Tote | 18 13/16 × 13 3/8 × 13 5/8 in | The Home Depot | HDX 7 gal |
| HDX 12 galTough Storage Flip-Top Tote | 22 5/16 × 15 3/8 × 12 3/16 in | The Home Depot | None in this list |
| HDX 14 gal MeasuredTough Storage Tote | 28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 10 3/8 in | The Home Depot | Not the taller HDX 27 gal |
| HDX 17 gal MeasuredTough Storage Tote | 26 3/4 × 17 3/4 × 12 1/2 in | The Home Depot | None in this list |
| HDX 27 gal MeasuredTough Storage Tote | 28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 15 3/8 in | The Home Depot | Sterilite 27 gal, Brightroom 27 gal, HDX 14 gal |
| HDX 40 galTough Storage Tote | 38 1/8 × 22 × 15 3/16 in | The Home Depot | None in this list |
| HDX 40 gal wheeled WheelsTough Storage Tote with Wheels | 39 3/16 × 22 × 15 3/16 in | The Home Depot | None in this list |
| HDX 57 galTough Storage Tote | 45 7/16 × 21 1/8 × 19 1/2 in | The Home Depot | None in this list |
| HDX 77 gal wheeled WheelsTough Storage Tote with Wheels | 44 13/16 × 23 3/8 × 22 5/16 in | The Home Depot | None in this list |
Commander Lowe's · 8 sizes
Commander 12 gal22 × 16 5/16 × 12 1/2 in
Commander 16 gal30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 9 1/2 in
Commander 17 gal26 7/8 × 18 × 12 1/2 in
Commander 27 gal30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in
Commander 40 gal38 3/16 × 22 × 16 1/2 in
Commander 40 gal Wheels39 1/4 × 22 × 16 1/2 in
Commander 50 gal44 13/16 × 20 7/8 × 19 3/16 in
Commander 75 gal Wheels46 × 22 1/2 × 23 11/16 in
Commander sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander 12 galCommander Medium Tote | 22 × 16 5/16 × 12 1/2 in | Lowe's | Hyper Tough 12 gal |
| Commander 16 galCommander Medium Low-Profile Tote | 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 9 1/2 in | Lowe's | Not the taller Commander 27 gal, Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile |
| Commander 17 galCommander Medium Tote | 26 7/8 × 18 × 12 1/2 in | Lowe's | Hyper Tough 17 gal, Tough Box 17 gal |
| Commander 27 galProject Source Commander Tote | 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in | Lowe's | Member's Mark 27 gal, Hyper Tough 27 gal, Commander 16 gal, Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile |
| Commander 40 galCommander X-Large Tote | 38 3/16 × 22 × 16 1/2 in | Lowe's | Member's Mark 40 gal, Hyper Tough 40 gal Not the taller Tough Box 40 gal |
| Commander 40 gal rolling WheelsCommander X-Large Rolling Tote | 39 1/4 × 22 × 16 1/2 in | Lowe's | Tough Box 40 gal mobile |
| Commander 50 galCommander X-Large Tote | 44 13/16 × 20 7/8 × 19 3/16 in | Lowe's | None in this list |
| Commander 75 gal rolling WheelsCommander X-Large Rolling Tote | 46 × 22 1/2 × 23 11/16 in | Lowe's | None in this list |
Greenmade Costco · 3 sizes
Greenmade 12 gal20 1/2 × 15 × 15 in
Greenmade 17 gal26 11/16 × 17 13/16 × 12 1/2 in
Greenmade 27 gal30 3/8 × 20 3/8 × 15 in
Greenmade sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenmade 12 galPro Grade Storage Tote | 20 1/2 × 15 × 15 in | Costco, Ace Hardware | None in this list |
| Greenmade 17 galStorage Tote | 26 11/16 × 17 13/16 × 12 1/2 in | Ace Hardware | None in this list |
| Greenmade 27 galProfessional Storage Tote | 30 3/8 × 20 3/8 × 15 in | Costco, Office Depot, Ace Hardware | None in this list |
Member's Mark Sam's Club · 3 sizes
Member's Mark 15 gal25 11/16 × 17 3/16 × 12 in
Member's Mark 27 gal30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in
Member's Mark 40 gal38 3/16 × 22 × 16 1/2 in
Member's Mark sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member's Mark 15 galClear Storage Tote | 25 11/16 × 17 3/16 × 12 in | Sam's Club | Hyper Tough 15 gal |
| Member's Mark 27 galHeavy-Duty Storage Tote | 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in | Sam's Club | Commander 27 gal, Hyper Tough 27 gal |
| Member's Mark 40 galHeavy-Duty Storage Tote | 38 3/16 × 22 × 16 1/2 in | Sam's Club | Commander 40 gal, Hyper Tough 40 gal Not the taller Tough Box 40 gal |
Hyper Tough Walmart · 7 sizes
Hyper Tough 12 gal21 7/8 × 16 5/16 × 12 1/2 in
Hyper Tough 15 gal25 11/16 × 17 3/16 × 12 in
Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 10 13/16 in
Hyper Tough 17 gal26 7/8 × 18 × 12 1/2 in
Hyper Tough 27 gal30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in
Hyper Tough 40 gal38 3/16 × 22 × 16 1/2 in
Hyper Tough 50 gal Wheels45 1/2 × 21 × 19 1/2 in
Hyper Tough sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyper Tough 12 galSmall Storage Bin with Snap Lid | 21 7/8 × 16 5/16 × 12 1/2 in | Walmart | Commander 12 gal |
| Hyper Tough 15 galClear Storage Bin with Snap Lid | 25 11/16 × 17 3/16 × 12 in | Walmart | Member's Mark 15 gal |
| Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profileLow Profile Storage Bin with Snap Lid | 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 10 13/16 in | Walmart | Commander 16 gal Not the taller Hyper Tough 27 gal |
| Hyper Tough 17 galMedium Storage Bin with Snap Lid | 26 7/8 × 18 × 12 1/2 in | Walmart | Commander 17 gal, Tough Box 17 gal |
| Hyper Tough 27 galLarge Storage Bin with Snap Lid | 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in | Walmart | Commander 27 gal, Member's Mark 27 gal, Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile |
| Hyper Tough 40 galExtra Large Storage Bin with Snap Lid | 38 3/16 × 22 × 16 1/2 in | Walmart | Commander 40 gal, Member's Mark 40 gal Not the taller Tough Box 40 gal |
| Hyper Tough 50 gal wheeled WheelsExtra Large Storage Bin with Wheels | 45 1/2 × 21 × 19 1/2 in | Walmart | None in this list |
Tough Box Tractor Supply, Walmart · 4 sizes
Tough Box 17 gal26 3/4 × 18 × 12 1/2 in
Tough Box 27 gal30 7/8 × 20 1/2 × 14 5/8 in
Tough Box 40 gal Wheels39 1/4 × 22 × 16 1/2 in
Tough Box 40 gal38 1/4 × 22 × 16 15/16 in
Tough Box sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tough Box 17 galStorage Tote | 26 3/4 × 18 × 12 1/2 in | WebstaurantStore, Tractor Supply | Commander 17 gal, Hyper Tough 17 gal |
| Tough Box 27 galStorage Tote | 30 7/8 × 20 1/2 × 14 5/8 in | Tractor Supply, Walmart, WebstaurantStore | None in this list |
| Tough Box 40 gal mobile WheelsClear Mobile Storage Tote | 39 1/4 × 22 × 16 1/2 in | WebstaurantStore | Commander 40 gal rolling |
| Tough Box 40 galStorage Tote | 38 1/4 × 22 × 16 15/16 in | Tractor Supply, WebstaurantStore | Commander 40 gal, Member's Mark 40 gal, Hyper Tough 40 gal |
Sterilite Walmart, Target · 7 sizes
Sterilite 17 gal26 7/8 × 18 1/8 × 12 1/2 in
Sterilite 18 gal23 1/2 × 18 3/8 × 16 1/8 in
Sterilite 27 gal28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 15 1/2 in
Sterilite 30 gal Tuff130 × 20 × 17 1/8 in
Sterilite 30 gal30 1/2 × 20 1/4 × 17 1/8 in
Sterilite 38 gal37 1/2 × 21 5/8 × 15 7/8 in
Sterilite 50 gal42 3/4 × 22 × 18 in
Sterilite sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterilite 17 galIndustrial Tote | 26 7/8 × 18 1/8 × 12 1/2 in | Walmart, Target | Brightroom 17 gal |
| Sterilite 18 gal18 Gal. Tote | 23 1/2 × 18 3/8 × 16 1/8 in | Walmart, Ace Hardware | None in this list |
| Sterilite 27 galIndustrial Tote | 28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 15 1/2 in | Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Ace Hardware | HDX 27 gal, Brightroom 27 gal |
| Sterilite 30 gal Tuff1Tuff1 Tote | 30 × 20 × 17 1/8 in | Walmart, Lowe's, The Home Depot | None in this list |
| Sterilite 30 gal30 Gal. Tote | 30 1/2 × 20 1/4 × 17 1/8 in | Walmart, Ace Hardware, Lowe's | Brightroom 30 gal |
| Sterilite 38 galIndustrial Tote | 37 1/2 × 21 5/8 × 15 7/8 in | Walmart, Target | Brightroom 38 gal |
| Sterilite 50 gal50 Gal. Tote | 42 3/4 × 22 × 18 in | Walmart | Brightroom 50 gal |
Brightroom Target · 6 sizes
Brightroom 17 gal26 7/8 × 18 1/8 × 12 1/2 in
Brightroom 18 gal23 5/8 × 18 3/8 × 14 7/8 in
Brightroom 27 gal28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 15 1/2 in
Brightroom 30 gal30 1/2 × 20 1/4 × 16 5/8 in
Brightroom 38 gal37 1/2 × 21 5/8 × 15 7/8 in
Brightroom 50 gal42 3/4 × 22 × 18 in
Brightroom sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightroom 17 galHeavy Duty Storage Tote | 26 7/8 × 18 1/8 × 12 1/2 in | Target | Sterilite 17 gal |
| Brightroom 18 galStorage Tote | 23 5/8 × 18 3/8 × 14 7/8 in | Target | None in this list |
| Brightroom 27 galHeavy Duty Storage Tote | 28 1/2 × 19 5/8 × 15 1/2 in | Target | Sterilite 27 gal, HDX 27 gal |
| Brightroom 30 galStorage Tote | 30 1/2 × 20 1/4 × 16 5/8 in | Target | Not the taller Sterilite 30 gal |
| Brightroom 38 galHeavy Duty Storage Tote | 37 1/2 × 21 5/8 × 15 7/8 in | Target | Sterilite 38 gal |
| Brightroom 50 galNon-Latching Tote | 42 3/4 × 22 × 18 in | Target | Sterilite 50 gal |
Rubbermaid Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot · 7 sizes
Rubbermaid 10 gal23 7/8 × 15 7/8 × 8 7/8 in
Rubbermaid 14 gal23 7/8 × 15 7/8 × 12 1/4 in
Rubbermaid 18 gal23 7/8 × 15 7/8 × 16 3/8 in
Rubbermaid 25 gal28 7/8 × 19 7/8 × 16 3/4 in
Rubbermaid 31 gal32 5/16 × 20 3/8 × 16 11/16 in
Rubbermaid 40 gal36 7/8 × 21 3/16 × 18 5/16 in
Rubbermaid 50 gal43 × 21 3/4 × 17 7/8 in
Rubbermaid sizes, stores and the totes that share a rack
| Tote | Size | Sold at | Its rack also holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubbermaid 10 galRoughneck Tote | 23 7/8 × 15 7/8 × 8 7/8 in | Walmart, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Target | Not the taller Rubbermaid 14 gal, Rubbermaid 18 gal |
| Rubbermaid 14 galRoughneck Tote | 23 7/8 × 15 7/8 × 12 1/4 in | Walmart, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware | Rubbermaid 10 gal Not the taller Rubbermaid 18 gal |
| Rubbermaid 18 galRoughneck Tote | 23 7/8 × 15 7/8 × 16 3/8 in | Walmart, Lowe's, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Amazon | Rubbermaid 10 gal, Rubbermaid 14 gal |
| Rubbermaid 25 galRoughneck Tote | 28 7/8 × 19 7/8 × 16 3/4 in | Walmart, Lowe's | None in this list |
| Rubbermaid 31 galRoughneck Tote | 32 5/16 × 20 3/8 × 16 11/16 in | Walmart, Lowe's, Ace Hardware | None in this list |
| Rubbermaid 40 galRoughneck Jumbo Tote | 36 7/8 × 21 3/16 × 18 5/16 in | The Home Depot, Ace Hardware | None in this list |
| Rubbermaid 50 galRoughneck Jumbo Tote | 43 × 21 3/4 × 17 7/8 in | Walmart, Ace Hardware | None in this list |
Measure your own tote or storage container
Don't see yours? Choose Other in the configurator and enter three measurements, taken with the lid on.
Length: the long side, the one that slides into the rack. Width across the lid rim: the widest point, lip to lip. Height: from the floor to the top of the lid.
Your tote needs a lip at the top that sticks out past its sides: the lip is what rests on the runners. Latching boxes with flush lids and round tubs can't hang this way.
Tools you'll need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Square
- Miter saw or circular saw
- Drill / driver
- Clamps - 2 or more
- Safety glasses
- Stud finder - For a rack fixed to the wall
- Sandpaper - Optional — 80 and 120 grit
Materials
- 2x4 lumber (SPF) - Legs, rails, runners and two spacer blocks. A 3×3 rack for HDX 27 gal totes takes 14; the configurator counts them for your rack, including the boards longer than 8 ft that the rails of a very wide rack need.
- 2-1/2" construction screws - Two at each end of every runner and two wherever a rail meets a leg: 104 for the 3×3 rack.
- 1x4 lumber - Diagonal back braces, recommended for racks more than 3 wide or 3 high and for every rolling rack
- 3/4" plywood - Only for a plywood work top
- 1 5/8" screws - For the back braces and the top
- 4" locking plate casters and lag screws - Only for a rolling rack: 4 on racks up to 3 wide, 6 on wider ones
- 2 angle brackets - To fix a standing rack to two wall studs
Cut list
| Part | Qty | Stock | Cut to (length × width) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 8 | 2x4 SPF | 51 1/8" | Vertical posts |
| Rails | 4 | 2x4 SPF | 67 1/8" | Horizontal full-width members (top/bottom x front/back) |
| Runners | 18 | 2x4 SPF | 28 1/2" | Front-to-back tote supports |
| Spacer Blocks | 2 | 2x4 SPF | 13 3/8" | Assembly jig for row spacing (reuse during build) |
Skip the math - the Fixie iOS app generates a per-project cut list for the exact dimensions you pick, with kerf accounted for and one-tap sourcing for the lumber.
Step by step
Pick your totes and layout
Choose your tote brand and size above, or measure your own, then how many wide and how many high, the gap above each tote, wall or casters, and a top. The cut list and the shopping list follow every choice.
Cut every piece from the cut list
Cut the legs, rails, runners and two spacer blocks. Clamp a stop block to your saw so identical parts come out identical, and label each piece with masking tape as you cut it.
Mark the ladder layout on the legs
Measure down from the top end of one leg and mark the top edge of the first runner, then mark the rest of the rows. Square the marks across and copy them onto every leg, so all the runners line up.
Build your first leg pair
Lay a front leg and a back leg on edge, then screw the top runner across them on its mark with two 2-1/2" screws at each end. Stand a spacer block on that runner, rest the next runner on the block and screw it on. Repeat down the ladder.
Build the rest of the leg pairs
Repeat for every post line. The middle pairs get runners on both faces; the two end pairs only on their inside face. The two runners of each bay end up a little wider apart than the tote's body, so the lid rim rests on them.
Join the leg pairs with the four rails
Stand the pairs up on the two bottom rails, front and back, and screw the two top rails across the top ends of the legs. Two screws wherever a rail meets a leg. Measure the diagonals of the front: when they match, the rack is square.
Add back bracing if your rack needs it
Screw diagonal 1x4s across the back of the frame. They stop a wide, tall or rolling rack from leaning sideways. A small rack fixed to the wall can skip them.
Fix it to the wall, or put it on casters
Against a wall, screw two angle brackets from the top back rail into two wall studs, so a full tote pulled from a high row can never tip the rack forward. For a rolling rack, screw the locking casters under the bottom rails and lock them while you load it.
Add a top, if you chose one
3/4" plywood screwed down to the top rails makes a work top. A rack wider than a sheet takes it in two or more pieces that meet over a leg line, with a 2x4 cleat under each seam; the cut list gives every width. 2x4 slats with a small gap between them make a shelf instead. Pre-drill near the ends of every board.
Load your totes
Slide each tote in with its lid on, so the rim rests on both runners. Put the heaviest totes in the bottom rows.
Tips
- Measure one of your totes with its lid on before you cut. Store listings can be off by a fraction of an inch, and that fraction decides whether the rim reaches the runners.
- Batch-cut with a stop block on your saw: every leg and every runner comes out exactly the same length.
- Color-code by row: one lid or label color for camping gear, another for holiday decorations, another for tools, and you find a tote without opening it.
- Keep the heaviest totes low. A rack with its weight at the bottom is steadier and easier to unload.
- Add felt pads under the legs if the rack stands on a finished floor you'd rather not scratch.
FAQ
What is a tote rack?
A tote rack is a frame that holds storage totes like drawers. Each plastic bin hangs by its lid rim on two runners, so you can pull out the bottom tote without unstacking the ones above it. This one is built from 2x4s and sized to your totes.
Which totes does this tote rack fit?
Any storage tote whose lid rim sticks out past its sides. The configurator has the sizes of HDX (The Home Depot), Commander (Lowe's), Greenmade (Costco), Member's Mark (Sam's Club), Hyper Tough (Walmart), Tough Box (Tractor Supply), Sterilite, Brightroom (Target) and Rubbermaid Roughneck totes, from small 7 gallon totes to 77 gallon rolling ones, and you can enter your own measurements for any other plastic storage bin.
Are all 27 gallon totes the same size?
No. They come in four footprints: about 30 5/8" × 20 5/8" (Commander, Member's Mark, Hyper Tough), 28 1/2" × 19 5/8" (HDX, Sterilite Industrial, Brightroom), about 30 3/8" × 20 3/8" (Greenmade) and about 30 7/8" × 20 1/2" (Tough Box). A rack built for HDX totes is too narrow for a Commander, so pick your exact tote before you cut.
How do I measure my tote for a rack?
Put the lid on and measure three things: the length, the width across the lid rim at its widest point, and the height from the floor to the top of the lid. The rim width sets how far apart the posts go. The lip under the rim is what rests on the runners, so it has to stick out past the sides of the tote.
How much gap should I leave above each tote?
About 1 1/2". That is enough to lift the lip off the runners and slide the tote out; more gap makes the whole rack taller. The configurator offers 1", 1 1/2", 2" and 3" and adds it to every row.
How much lumber do I need for a tote rack?
It depends on the tote and the layout. A 3×3 rack for HDX 27 gal totes, against a wall with an open top, takes 14 2x4s 8 ft long and 104 2-1/2" screws. Back bracing adds 1x4s and a plywood work top adds 3/4" plywood (more than one sheet on a wide rack); the configurator recounts everything as you change it.
Is a 2x4 tote rack cheaper than metal tote shelving?
Usually, and it holds more. A wooden rack's main cost is its 2x4s: Rogue Engineer reported about $128 of lumber for a rack of 16 HDX 27 gal totes, while Home Depot listed its Husky metal rack for 10 of those totes at $159 when we checked in October 2026. Lumber prices change, so price your own list.
Can I build a rolling tote rack or a tote rack workbench?
Yes. Choose Rolling in the configurator and the rack stands on 4" locking plate casters screwed under the bottom rails: 4 on racks up to 3 wide, 6 on wider ones. Add a plywood work top and it doubles as a workbench: 3/4" plywood screwed down to the top rails, in two or more pieces with a 2x4 cleat under each seam on a wide rack. Keep a rolling rack to two or three rows, give it back bracing and lock the casters while you load it. A tall rack is steadier against a wall, with two angle brackets screwed into studs.
Will plastic tubs or storage containers without a lip work?
Not in this rack. Each tote hangs by the rim of its lid, so the rim has to stick out past the body on both sides: an HDX 27 gal tote is 19 5/8" across the rim and 17 1/8" across the body under it. A round plastic tub, or a box whose lid sits flush with its straight sides, has nothing to rest on the runners and drops through. Measure across the rim and across the body just under it: the rim needs to be at least 1 1/4" wider. If yours is not, a plain shelf suits it better.
How many totes fit on a garage wall?
Allow about 22" of wall for each tote across. An 8 ft wall takes a rack 4 wide (89" for HDX 27 gal totes), and 5 rows high it stands 88" tall, under an 8 ft ceiling: 20 totes. For garage tote storage along a longer wall, build two racks side by side rather than one very wide one, because the rails of a rack more than 4 wide need 10 or 12 ft boards.
Does a tote rack need back bracing?
A ladder-style rack is strong up and down but can lean sideways when it is pushed. Diagonal 1x4s across the back stop that. We recommend them for racks more than 3 wide or 3 high and for every rolling rack; a small rack screwed to the wall is held square by the wall.
How do the totes hang in the rack?
By the lip of the lid. The two runners of each bay are set just wider apart than the tote's body, so the body drops between them and the rim rests on top of them, about an inch on each side. The tote slides in and out like a drawer, lid on.
Can I mix tote sizes in one rack?
Not in the configurator yet: each rack is sized for one tote. A shorter tote with the same length and rim width fits, so an HDX 14 gal hangs in a rack built for HDX 27 gal totes, with extra room above it. Not the other way round: a 27 is too tall for the rows of a rack built for 14s.
Can I rack rolling totes with wheels?
Yes, when the lid's rim sticks out past the sides like any other tote's: the configurator has the wheeled HDX, Commander, Hyper Tough and Tough Box totes, up to the HDX 77 gallon. Slide each one in wheel end first, so the wheels sit at the back of the bay and the handle end faces you, and check that the wheels sit inside the lid's footprint. If they stick out past the lid, measure the length with the wheels and enter it under Other. Latching rolling boxes with flush lids can't hang on runners.
Build it, guided every step
The Fixie iOS app turns this plan into a customized build for your exact space - pick your dimensions, get an auto-generated cut list, order materials in one tap, and follow the steps with 3D previews. Have something else in mind? Describe it or snap a photo and Fixie will design your own build from scratch - your first design is free.
Download Fixie on the App StoreMore beginner projects
