One day, your garage is the envy of everyone on your block, and the next thing you know, you’ve got clutter everywhere. It doesn’t take long for the crap you accumulate to start taking over.
That happened in my garage, so I started looking at a customized garage storage system before things got out of hand.
I picked up a 6-piece
I wanted to see how Rubbermaid compared to everything else on the market, and today, I will share my thoughts.
The Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage System
Rubbermaid came out with the
However, there’s a catch. There are two
I totally understand trying to capitalize on name recognition. If something is doing well, you want to capitalize on it.
I think they dropped the ball because the two systems aren’t compatible.
Both are good products in their own right. Still, having a
Thankfully, they’re usually in two different sections of the store, so people aren’t likely to stumble on the wrong one by mistake.
So, for this article, we’ll discuss the Rubbermaid
Here are a couple of design elements that jumped out at me:
The Rubbermaid FastTrack Rail
One of the things I really like about the Rubbermaid
While everyone uses heavy plastic on their track storage system, Rubbermaid went in a different direction.
The only plastic you’ll find is the cover on top.
The rail is molded from heavy steel into a ‘W’ shape. The two channels have screw holes every inch apart down the rail.
Because it has a heavy steel construction, the rail is thinner and sleeker than anything else on the market. It also gives it a super high weight capacity, but we’ll get to that in the next section.
The total width is only 2″, with an additional quarter of an inch once you add the plastic cover.
Bare steel doesn’t look good, so Rubbermaid added a molded plastic sleeve over the rail.
I like the black plastic sleeve idea, but I wish it didn’t include the Rubbermaid logo.
On a simple 4′ or 8′ track, it’s not bad.
However, that logo could appear dozens of times on a wall full of
Additionally, you can’t buy the rail covers separately. If you damage one, you’ll need to purchase a new rail.
Even worse, the hooks won’t attach correctly without the rail cover.
The FastTrack Hooks
The
The smaller hooks, like this Cooler Hook, don’t have a locking clamp, so they’re held in place by the two notches on the bottom of the hook.
The good (and bad thing) about this design is that this hook isn’t going to move once it’s locked into place.
If you want to re-position a Rubbermaid hook, you’ll need to lift the hook off the rail and re-attach it in the new location.
It makes minor adjustments more challenging, but I like knowing that the stuff I hang on my garage wall doesn’t move once I put it there.
The heavy-duty hooks also included a screw hole on the bottom for extra support. It’ll let you lock them in place, making your setup more secure.
The hooks are covered in a foamy-looking material that appears softer than it really is. They call it their “soft-grip” handles. Apparently, we have different definitions of what “soft” really is.
In all honesty, it’s there to provide a little traction when you hang stuff on it, and it’ll save any delicate surfaces from getting scratched up.
How Much Weight Can Rubbermaid FastTrack Hold?
I see one question pop up on forums and reviews any time the
Rubbermaid
That’s over 400 lbs per foot!
Unboxing the Rubbermaid FastTrack Starter Kit
I don’t usually do unboxing posts, but since this is a starter kit, I might as well.
As I mentioned, you can buy the rails and hooks separately or pick up one of Rubbermaid’s starter kits to make it easy to get started.
Here’s what you get:
- Two 32″
FastTrack rails - Installation hardware
- One Multi-Purpose Hook
- One Power Tool Hook
- One Utility Hook
- One II-Handle Hook
Let’s look at the hooks in a little more detail. Ultimately, that’s what makes or breaks a wall storage system.
Power Tool Hook
The Power Tool Hook is easily my favorite of the four hooks.
I have all my drills either in a drawer or a cabinet, but this would let me hang them up for quick access. It would save a lot of time for stuff I use daily.
The gap between the hook arms is a little wide for my light-duty stuff, but it should easily accommodate heavy drills and battery packs.
The total weight capacity for this hook is 50 lbs.
Multi-Purpose Hook
Every manufacturer has something like the Multi-Purpose hook in their lineup. I’ve got almost every tool hanging from hooks like these in my garage.
What I like about this hook is just how long it is.
Remember that the
That’s about the weight of nine shovels, by the way.
Utility Hook
The Utility Hook is a deeply scooped version of the Multi-Purpose Hook.
It’s the perfect depth for hoses and extension cords, so you can hang them up without needing another gadget to keep them from getting tangled.
At first, I thought this was another niche product. It’s very similar to the Hose Hook (which has less of a scoop), so I don’t know why they have both designs.
I’d use this instead of the Hose Hook for both my hoses and extension cords. But that’s about the only place I could see using this hook.
For most other stuff, I’d use the Compact Hook instead (not part of this starter kit).
The total weight capacity for this hook is 50 lbs.
II-Handle Hook
The II-Handle Hook is my least favorite design of them all.
I don’t think the friction is enough between the hook’s grippy part and the broom handle I’m trying to hang up.
I like that you can hang two tools on one hook, but I hate how it looks.
The total weight capacity for this hook is 50 lbs.
What Accessories Work With Rubbermaid FastTrack ?
I wanted to know which accessories would work with
- I bought a hook and track piece from Rubbermaid
FastTrack , Gladiator GearTrack, Craftsman VersaTrack, and the Kobalt storage rail system found at Lowe’s. - I mounted each on my wall and tested each brand’s hook to see if it fit and could hang anything reliably.
I hate when I’m out shopping and unsure if what I was looking at would work how I wanted it to when I got home. This experiment cost me about $100 but helped me decide on the best track storage system for my garage.
I hope you like what I discovered.
Does Rubbermaid work with Gladiator GearTrack?
Gladiator hooks secure to a GearTrack or
The second way is the locking tab at the top of the hook, as seen in these pictures.
Obviously, those hooks have nothing to hook into on the Rubbermaid system. From an aesthetic perspective, it’s small, so you won’t notice it unless you’re looking for it.
Without that hook locking it in place, the Gladiator hook slides freely along the
It’s secure enough to hang items from, but you must be careful when taking anything off the hook. It’s easy to pull the entire hook off the track while grabbing whatever was on it.
Compatible with Rubbermaid
Does Rubbermaid Work With Craftsman VersaTrack?
Craftsman’s biggest strength is its versatility.
Once again, the Craftsman hooks worked much better on a different manufacturer’s garage track system than I expected.
The C-channel on the Craftsman hook fits neatly over the
On the Craftsman hook, there’s a tiny grey knob on the front that you turn to lock the hook in place.
When it’s set to the ‘unlocked’ position, the Rubbermaid
It’s a snug fit but not entirely locked in place.
I suggest taking a small file or heavy-grit sandpaper and sanding down the inside of the hook about a millimeter. Then, the lock can engage and secure the hook.
Not to say it’s perfect, but it’s an honestly workable solution.
Compatible with Rubbermaid
Will Kobalt Garage Hooks Work With Rubbermaid FastTrack ?
The only thing the Kobalt hooks will work with is their own track system.
The Kobalt track is made of rubberized plastic. Accessories stay in place primarily due to the friction between the track and the hook.
Other manufacturers use another locking mechanism to keep the accessory on the track.
The hooks have a slight bend to the top part of their C-channel and a flat portion on the bottom.
You can imagine what happens when you try to put a smooth hook on a smooth track.
It falls to the floor.
Compatible with Rubbermaid
How to Install Rubbermaid FastTrack Rails
The Rubbermaid
They must be secured better than the other systems to get that incredibly high weight capacity.
Like other systems, installation starts by lining up the
Place drywall anchors in between each rail for added support. These are included in the installation kit.
In the image above, you can see the five points to secure this 32″ rail.
Points marked with an ‘A’ are where you’ll attach the rail with screws into the wall studs, and points marked as ‘B’ will need the drywall anchors.
If installing the
I had trouble getting the plastic cover to snap onto the steel rail., which is one of the more frequent comments I’ve read in reviews.
The trick is to fully snap in the top before working on the bottom. Once you figure that out, it goes much quicker, but I see how that might be a challenge in tight spaces.
The installation was a breeze overall. However, I wish Rubbermaid included an endcap to make it look cleaner.
Installation FAQ’s
Can
Will the
Is the installation hardware included? Yes. Mounting hardware is included if you buy one of the
Rubbermaid FastTrack in my Garage
I installed the Rubbermaid
This wall section is my testing center for new products that will not necessarily make the final cut in my garage.
In my garage, this would be an excellent area to put some of the stuff I would grab on the way to the car, like keys, a hat, or an extra pair of sunglasses.
It doesn’t work to hang tools there, but it’s OK for demonstration purposes.
Update: I Moved My Rubbermaid FastTrack to My Laundry Room
One of the things I liked about the
It’s not what I was looking for in my garage, but it’s great for a more visible area in the home.
Like in my laundry room.
The hooks that come with the Rubbermaid starter kit are a great option for hanging mops, dusters, and even a step ladder.
For more information on the Rubbermaid
Rubbermaid FastTrack Starter Kits
Rubbermaid has four starter kits you can find anywhere. However, other versions will pop up at specific stores or around the holidays.
The kits range from a 5-piece kit to a 15-piece kit, each including mounting hardware.
If you need a shorter rail length, then one of the Rubbermaid
5-Piece FastTrack Starter Kit
The 5-piece and 6-piece starter kits are almost identical except for a slight change in which hooks are included.
The 5-piece kit includes the Multi-Purpose hook, which is excellent for holding stepladders or multiple shovels or rakes on the same hook.
- 1 32" FastTrack rail
- Installation Hardware
- 1 Multi-Purpose Hook
- 1 One-Handle Hook
- 2 Scoop Hooks
6-Piece FastTrack Starter Kit
By contrast, the 6-piece starter kit swaps out the Multi-Purpose hook for the Utility Hook and an additional One Handle Hook.
The Utility Hook holds larger tools like lawn edgers or hedge trimmers.
15-Piece FastTrack Starter Kit
The 15-Piece Starter Kit is unique because it has three four-foot
This is probably a great fit if you already have a
It comes with three types of hooks: the Multi-Purpose, Utility, and Cooler Hooks.
- 4 Four foot FastTrack rails
- Installation Hardware
- 4 Multi-Purpose Hooks
- 2 Cooler Hooks
- 3 Utility Hooks
Tool Hanging Kit
I wish I’d seen the Tool Hanging Kit before buying my
It’s my favorite because it has four hooks I’d use most in my garage. It’s the only one to come with a Power Tool Hook and includes two 32″ rails.
- 2 32" FastTrack rails
- Installation Hardware
- 1 Power Tool Holder
- 1 Utility Hook
- 1 Multi-Purpose Hook
- 1 Two-Handle Hook
Wrapping It Up
Overall, I like the Rubbermaid
It’s a great storage solution, but it’s better suited for inside your home. For garages, I prefer Gladiator GearTrack or a slatwall system like
The rails are solid and have the best weight capacity of any track storage system. The design is sleek and clean, for the most part, and it leaves a lot of white space on the wall.
But there were a couple of things I wasn’t crazy about that ultimately made me go in a different direction.
The steel rails aren’t as easily cut to odd lengths as other manufacturers. I’m comfortable using a table saw to cut wood or plastic, but cutting metal feels different.
There isn’t a wide variety of accessories you’ll find in other manufacturers either. Don’t get me wrong, the
If those minor flaws aren’t a big deal to you, check out one of the Rubbermaid
For more on which wall storage system I use in my garage, check out my Gladiator GearTrack and
