Commander 12 gal tote size
- Length, lid on
- 22"
- Width across the lid rim
- 16 5/16"
- Height with lid
- 12 1/2"
- Capacity
- 12 gal
- Sold at
- Lowe's
- Colors
- Black, yellow lid
- Sizes from
- Store and maker listings: measure one of yours before you cut
Lowe's lists it at 22" × 16.3" × 12.5" with a standard snap lid. Lowe's also sells a 12 gal Commander with a hinged flip lid, a different, narrower tote: check that yours has the snap lid.
A 3×3 rack for Commander 12 gal totes
It holds 9 totes (108 gallons) and stands 57 1/8" wide, 22" deep and 45 1/2" tall against a wall, with an open top. Change the layout in the configurator above; the numbers on this page are for the 3×3.
- 12 × 2x4 × 8 ft
- 104 × 2-1/2" screws
- 2 angle brackets to fix it to the wall studs
Cut list
| Part | Qty | Stock | Cut to (length × width) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 8 | 2x4 SPF | 42 1/2" | Vertical posts |
| Rails | 4 | 2x4 SPF | 57 1/8" | Horizontal full-width members (top/bottom x front/back) |
| Runners | 18 | 2x4 SPF | 22" | Front-to-back tote supports |
| Spacer Blocks | 2 | 2x4 SPF | 10 1/2" | Assembly jig for row spacing (reuse during build) |
Ladder layout
Every leg gets the same marks. Measure down from the top end of the leg to the top edge of each runner:
- Row 1 (top): 3 1/4"
- Row 2: 17 1/4"
- Row 3 (bottom): 31 1/4"
Posts 17 1/16" apart leave 14 1/16" between the two runners of a bay, so the 16 5/16" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each. Cut the two spacer blocks to 10 1/2": stood on one runner, a block sets the next one.
Step by step
Buy the lumber and screws
For a 3×3 rack of Commander 12 gal totes: 12 2x4s 8 ft long, 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs.
Cut every piece
Cut 8 legs at 42 1/2", 4 rails at 57 1/8", 18 runners at 22" and 2 spacer blocks at 10 1/2", as in the cut list. A stop block on your saw keeps identical parts identical.
Mark the ladder layout
On one leg, mark the top edge of the top runner 3 1/4" down from the top end, then a mark every 14" below it. Square the marks across and copy them onto all 8 legs.
Build the leg pairs
Screw a runner across a front and a back leg on every mark, with two 2-1/2" screws at each end; a spacer block (10 1/2") standing on one runner sets the next. The middle pairs get runners on both faces, the two end pairs on their inside face only.
Join the pairs with the rails
Stand the pairs on the two bottom rails with 17 1/16" between posts, so the runners of each bay are 14 1/16" apart, and screw the two top rails across the top ends of the legs.
Fix it to the wall and load it
Screw two angle brackets from the top back rail into two wall studs, then slide the totes in with their lids on: the 16 5/16" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each runner. Heaviest totes at the bottom.
Totes that fit the same rack
These totes share the Commander 12 gal's length and rim width and are no taller, so they hang on the same runners:
- Hyper Tough 12 gal - 21 7/8 × 16 5/16 × 12 1/2 in
Other 12 gallon totes are a different size and need their own rack: HDX 12 gal, Greenmade 12 gal.
FAQ
What size is the Commander 12 gal tote?
22" long, 16 5/16" wide across the lid rim and 12 1/2" tall with the lid on, from store listings. It holds 12 gallons and is sold at Lowe's. Measure one of yours before you cut.
Will a rack for Commander 12 gal totes fit other 12 gallon totes?
Yes for the Hyper Tough 12 gal: it has the same length and rim width and is no taller, so it hangs on the same runners. Not the HDX 12 gal or Greenmade 12 gal: they are a different size, so pick them in the configurator for a rack that fits.
How much lumber does a 3×3 rack for Commander 12 gal totes take?
12 2x4s 8 ft long, plus 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs. It holds 9 totes (108 gallons) and stands 57 1/8" wide, 22" deep and 45 1/2" tall.
How far apart are the runners for Commander 12 gal totes?
Set the posts 17 1/16" apart, so the two runners of a bay are 14 1/16" apart and the 16 5/16" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each. Each row sits 14" above the last: the tote's 12 1/2" height plus a 1 1/2" gap to slide it out.
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 StoreTote rack plans for other totes
All tote rack plans and the 3D configurator