Commander 16 gal tote size
- Length, lid on
- 30 5/8"
- Width across the lid rim
- 20 5/8"
- Height with lid
- 9 1/2"
- Capacity
- 16 gal
- Sold at
- Lowe's
- Colors
- Black, yellow lid; Clear, black lid
- Also sold as
- Commander 15 gal (60 qt)
- Sizes from
- Store and maker listings: measure one of yours before you cut
Lowe's lists it at 30.6" × 20.6" × 9.5", also as the 15 gal (60 qt): the footprint of the Commander 27 gal, 5" lower. So it hangs in a rack built for Commander 27s, though nobody has measured its rim.
A 3×3 rack for Commander 16 gal totes
It holds 9 totes (144 gallons) and stands 70 1/16" wide, 30 5/8" deep and 36 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.
- 14 × 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 | 33 1/2" | Vertical posts |
| Rails | 4 | 2x4 SPF | 70 1/16" | Horizontal full-width members (top/bottom x front/back) |
| Runners | 18 | 2x4 SPF | 30 5/8" | Front-to-back tote supports |
| Spacer Blocks | 2 | 2x4 SPF | 7 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: 14 1/4"
- Row 3 (bottom): 25 1/4"
Posts 21 3/8" apart leave 18 3/8" between the two runners of a bay, so the 20 5/8" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each. Cut the two spacer blocks to 7 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 16 gal totes: 14 2x4s 8 ft long, 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs.
Cut every piece
Cut 8 legs at 33 1/2", 4 rails at 70 1/16", 18 runners at 30 5/8" and 2 spacer blocks at 7 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 11" 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 (7 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 21 3/8" between posts, so the runners of each bay are 18 3/8" 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 20 5/8" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each runner. Heaviest totes at the bottom.
Totes that fit the same rack
Same length and rim width, but too tall for this rack's rows: Commander 27 gal (14 1/2" tall), Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile (10 13/16" tall). To store them together, build the rack for the tallest one: the Commander 16 gal then hangs in its bays with room to spare above.
FAQ
What size is the Commander 16 gal tote?
30 5/8" long, 20 5/8" wide across the lid rim and 9 1/2" tall with the lid on, from store listings. It holds 16 gallons and is sold at Lowe's. Measure one of yours before you cut.
Will other totes fit a rack for Commander 16 gal totes?
The Commander 27 gal and Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile have the same length and rim width but stand 14 1/2" and 10 13/16" tall against this tote's 9 1/2", so they run into the row above. To store both, build the rack for the tallest tote: the shorter ones hang in its bays with room to spare.
How much lumber does a 3×3 rack for Commander 16 gal totes take?
14 2x4s 8 ft long, plus 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs. It holds 9 totes (144 gallons) and stands 70 1/16" wide, 30 5/8" deep and 36 1/2" tall.
How far apart are the runners for Commander 16 gal totes?
Set the posts 21 3/8" apart, so the two runners of a bay are 18 3/8" apart and the 20 5/8" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each. Each row sits 11" above the last: the tote's 9 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