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.
Room to tilt a tote out. More gap = taller rack.
A ladder rack is strong up and down but can rack sideways into a parallelogram when it's pushed. Diagonal boards on the back stop that. A rack on casters needs them; one screwed to wall studs is held square by the wall, so they're optional.
How it works
- Step 1
Configure
Choose your HDX tote size, how many across and how high, casters or wall-mounted, and a work top.
- Step 2
Check the numbers
See the finished size, the lumber you'll buy and an estimated cost before you pay anything.
- Step 3
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 for every HDX tote size
Each size gets its own leg spacing, runner layout and lumber: 2x4 for 27 and 38 gallon totes, lighter 2x3 or 2x2 for the small ones.
HDX 9 gallon tote rack
34 L · 20" × 14-1/4" × 10-1/2" · 2x2 frame
HDX 12 gallon tote rack
45 L · 22-1/4" × 15-1/2" × 12-1/2" · 2x3 frame
HDX 17 gallon tote rack
64 L · 26-3/4" × 17-3/4" × 12-1/2" · 2x3 frame
HDX 27 gallon tote rack
102 L · 28-1/2" × 19-5/8" × 15-1/4" · 2x4 frame
HDX 38 gallon tote rack
144 L · 32" × 21-7/8" × 17-1/2" · 2x4 frame
What's in the $9.99 plan
Designing is free. When the rack looks right, the PDF plan is a one-time $9.99 with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 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
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, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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.