DIY tote rack plans for HDX totes
Pick your tote size and how many you want to store. We work out every board, cut and screw, then generate a step-by-step PDF plan you can take to the store and the shop.
Free to designPDF build plan · $9.99 one-time
Get the build plan
$9.99Designing is free. The PDF for this exact rack is a one-time $9.99.
- Shopping list for lumber and hardware
- Cut list with board-by-board cutting diagrams
- Ladder layout: first runner mark and spacer block
- Dimensioned drawings and step-by-step assembly
One-time payment. Digital download - all sales final, except as described in the Refund Policy. By buying you agree to the Terms and Refund Policy.
From tote size to a finished rack in three steps
- 01
Configure
Choose your HDX tote size, how many across and how high, casters or wall-mounted, and a work top.
- 02
Check the numbers
See the finished size, the lumber you'll buy and an estimated cost before you pay anything.
- 03
Download and build
Get a PDF with the shopping list, cut list, drawings and step-by-step assembly. Build it in an afternoon.
Tote rack plans & more
A rack sized for your HDX totes, with its own leg spacing, runner layout and lumber, plus chicken coops and runs for the backyard, made the same way on our sister site. See every tote size.
HDX 27 gallon tote rack
102 L · 28-1/2" × 19-5/8" × 15-1/4" · 2x4 frame
Shown: 3 × 2 rolling workbench
Walk-in chicken coop
8 to 40 hens · a shed you walk into, with a run
Shown: 24 × 8 ft, 12 hens
on ChickenCoopPlanner.com ↗
Chicken run
Free-standing or attached · hardware cloth and apron
Shown: 8 × 6 ft, 4 hens
on ChickenCoopPlanner.com ↗
HDX 9 gallon tote rack
34 L · 20" × 14-1/4" × 10-1/2" · 2x2 frame
Shown: 4 × 4 wall rack
What's in the $9.99 plan
Designing is free. When the rack looks right, get a plan made for your exact totes and layout. No account needed.
- Shopping list with every board length, screws and casters
- Cut list and board-by-board cutting diagrams to minimize waste
- Fastener table: which screw goes where
- Ladder layout: first-runner mark and spacer-block length
- Dimensioned front and side drawings
- Illustrated step-by-step assembly
- Inches or millimeters
- Prints on letter paper or reads on your phone
| Item | Qty | Est. |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4 board | ||
| 1x4 board | ||
| 3/4" plywood, 4x8 sheet | ||
| 2-3/4" construction screws | ||
| 3-1/2" structural screws | ||
| 1-1/4" wood screws | ||
| 4" locking swivel caster |
| Part | Length | Qty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Bottom rail | ||
| B | Top rail | ||
| C | Leg | ||
| D | Runner | ||
| E | Bottom cross piece | ||
| F | Spacer block | ||
| G | Back brace |
Tote rack FAQ
What is a tote rack?
A tote rack is a simple wooden frame that holds storage totes like drawers. Each tote slides in on two runners and hangs by its lid rim, so you can pull out any tote without unstacking the ones above it.
Which totes do the plans work with?
The configurator has presets for HDX Tough Totes in 9, 12, 17, 27 and 38 gallon sizes, in every official color combination. Other brands with a similar lid rim also work if their size is close to a preset. Always measure one of your totes before cutting.
What lumber do I need?
Racks for 27 and 38 gallon totes are built entirely from 2x4s. Smaller totes use 2x3 or 2x2 to save weight and money. Racks on casters add diagonal 1x4 braces on the back, and you can add a plywood work top. The plan lists every board by length.
How much does it cost to build a tote rack?
A 3-wide, 2-high rack for 27 gallon totes on casters with a plywood top (5' 10-1/8" wide) takes about $204 in lumber and hardware at big-box store prices. The configurator shows the estimate for your exact layout.
How long does it take to build?
Most racks take an afternoon: an hour or two to cut the boards and two to three hours to assemble. The plan's cutting diagrams and spacer-block method keep measuring to a minimum.
What tools do I need?
A miter saw or circular saw, a drill/driver, a tape measure, a square and two clamps. No special joinery is needed; everything is screwed together with construction screws.
Can the rack go on wheels or against a wall?
Yes. Choose freestanding for a rolling rack on locking casters (braces are added automatically so it stays square), or wall-mounted for a rack that sits on the floor and is screwed into the wall studs.
What's in the PDF plan?
A shopping list, a cut list with board-by-board cutting diagrams, the fastener schedule, dimensioned front and side drawings, the runner layout with spacer block, and illustrated step-by-step assembly. It costs $9.99, one time - no subscription.
Do I need an account?
No. You pay by card at checkout, download the PDF right away, and your receipt email has a link to download it again any time.