ToteRack Plans

HDX 17 gallon tote rack plans

A 2x3 ladder rack sized for HDX 17 gallon (64 L) Tough Totes. Each tote slides in on two runners and hangs by its lid, so you can pull out any tote without moving the others. Pick how many across and how high, and get a cut list, shopping list and step-by-step plan for your exact layout.

Designing is free. The PDF plan is $9.99 with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3 × 2 rolling tote rack with plywood top holding HDX 17 gallon totes

Popular 17 gallon tote rack sizes

LayoutTotesOverall size (W × D × H)LumberEst. cost
2 × 2 Compact, against a wall43' 7-1/2" × 26-3/4" × 2' 6-1/2"1 × 2x3 × 8 ft, 4 × 2x3 × 12 ft~$67Design this
3 × 2 Rolling workbench65' 4-1/2" × 26-3/4" × 2' 11-1/4"10 × 2x3 × 8 ft, 1 × 1x4 × 8 ft~$177Design this
4 × 2 Long rolling workbench87' 1-1/2" × 26-3/4" × 2' 11-1/4"14 × 2x3 × 8 ft, 1 × 1x4 × 10 ft~$213Design this
3 × 3 Garage wall, 3 high95' 4-1/2" × 26-3/4" × 3' 8"14 × 2x3 × 8 ft~$94Design this
4 × 4 Full wall, 4 high167' 1-1/2" × 26-3/4" × 4' 9-1/2"22 × 2x3 × 8 ft~$137Design this

Tote dimensions the plan uses

Measured with the lid on, at the widest point. Tote sizes vary a little between production runs, so measure one of yours before cutting.

Length
26-3/4" (679 mm)
Width
17-3/4" (451 mm)
Height
12-1/2" (318 mm)
Capacity
17 gal (64 L)

How the rack is built

  • Legs and runners: 2x3 (1.5" × 2.5" actual), runners on edge.
  • Legs 19-1/2" apart; first runner 3" below the top of the legs; 11" spacer block.
  • Ladders joined by four rails laid flat, plus bottom cross pieces where the casters go.
  • Diagonal 1x4 braces on the back of rolling racks.
Read the full how-to guide

HDX 17 gallon tote rack FAQ

What lumber do I need for an HDX 17 gallon tote rack?

We recommend 2x3 (38 × 64 mm) for the legs, runners and rails. A 3-wide, 2-high rack on casters with a plywood top uses 10 × 2x3 × 8 ft, 1 × 1x4 × 8 ft.

How far apart are the legs for 17 gallon totes?

19-1/2" (495 mm) clear between legs. That's the tote body width plus two 2x3 runners and 3/8" of sliding room on each side, so the lid overlaps each runner by about 5/8".

How much space does each row of 17 gallon totes need?

The tote is 12-1/2" tall with the lid on. With the default 1" gap above each lid, rows are 13-1/2" apart and the spacer block between runners is 11".

How much does a 17 gallon tote rack cost to build?

About $177 in lumber and hardware for a 3 × 2 rack on casters with a plywood top (5' 4-1/2" wide), at typical big-box store prices. Smaller wall-mounted racks cost less; the configurator prices your exact layout.