Commander 27 gal tote size
- Length, lid on
- 30 5/8"
- Width across the lid rim
- 20 5/8"
- Height with lid
- 14 1/2"
- Capacity
- 27 gal
- Sold at
- Lowe's
- Colors
- Black, yellow lid; Clear, black lid
- Sizes from
- Store and maker listings: measure one of yours before you cut
Lowe's Project Source Commander is about 2" longer and 1" wider than an HDX 27 gal, so a rack built for HDX totes won't take it. Member's Mark and Hyper Tough 27 gal totes share its footprint.
A 3×3 rack for Commander 27 gal totes
It holds 9 totes (243 gallons) and stands 70 1/8" wide, 30 5/8" deep and 51 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.
- 16 × 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 | 48 1/2" | Vertical posts |
| Rails | 4 | 2x4 SPF | 70 1/8" | 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 | 12 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: 19 1/4"
- Row 3 (bottom): 35 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 12 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 27 gal totes: 16 2x4s 8 ft long, 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs.
Cut every piece
Cut 8 legs at 48 1/2", 4 rails at 70 1/8", 18 runners at 30 5/8" and 2 spacer blocks at 12 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 16" 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 (12 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
These totes share the Commander 27 gal's length and rim width and are no taller, so they hang on the same runners:
- Member's Mark 27 gal - 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in
- Hyper Tough 27 gal - 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 14 1/2 in
- Commander 16 gal - 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 9 1/2 in
- Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile - 30 5/8 × 20 5/8 × 10 13/16 in
Other 27 gallon totes are a different size and need their own rack: HDX 27 gal, Greenmade 27 gal, Tough Box 27 gal, Brightroom 27 gal, Sterilite 27 gal.
FAQ
What size is the Commander 27 gal tote?
30 5/8" long, 20 5/8" wide across the lid rim and 14 1/2" tall with the lid on, from store listings. It holds 27 gallons and is sold at Lowe's. Measure one of yours before you cut.
Will a rack for Commander 27 gal totes fit other 27 gallon totes?
Yes for the Member's Mark 27 gal and Hyper Tough 27 gal: they have the same length and rim width and are no taller, so they hang on the same runners. Not the HDX 27 gal, Greenmade 27 gal, Tough Box 27 gal, Brightroom 27 gal or Sterilite 27 gal: they are a different size, so pick them in the configurator for a rack that fits.
Will other totes fit a rack for Commander 27 gal totes?
Yes for the Commander 16 gal and Hyper Tough 17 gal low-profile: they have the same length and rim width and are no taller, so they hang on the same runners.
How much lumber does a 3×3 rack for Commander 27 gal totes take?
16 2x4s 8 ft long, plus 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs. It holds 9 totes (243 gallons) and stands 70 1/8" wide, 30 5/8" deep and 51 1/2" tall.
How far apart are the runners for Commander 27 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 16" above the last: the tote's 14 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