Welcome to your new CleverMade 45L Collapsible Utility Crate! Designed to simplify hauling, transportation, and everyday organization, this lightweight crate is ideal for groceries, tools, sports gear, household supplies, trunk storage, and more. This guide will show you how to open, use, clean, collapse, and store your crate. It supports up to 66 pounds when open, then folds down to just 2.38 inches tall when the job is done.
How to Open and Set Up Your 45L Collapsible Utility Crate
To Open
Place the fully collapsed crate on a stable, level surface.
Hold the crate securely and lift the upper frame.
Expand the folding side panels until the crate takes its full rectangular shape.
Lock the sides into place by simply pushing them in at the bottom corners.
Make sure each panel is fully extended and properly aligned.
Check that the crate feels stable and remains completely open before adding any contents.
To Collapse
Remove everything from the crate.
Place the empty crate on a stable surface.
Press in the folding side panels and carefully guide them inward.
Press the upper frame down until the crate is completely flat.
Store the collapsed crate flat or store up to three crates vertically.
Use care around the folding joints. Keep fingers clear of the moving panels while opening or collapsing the crate, and never force a panel that appears obstructed.
Meet the Key Features
Folds Flat to Save Space
The crate collapses to only 2.38 inches tall when it is not in use. Keep it in your trunk, closet, garage, pantry, cabinet, or on a shelf without sacrificing valuable storage space.
Holds Up to 66 Pounds
Although the crate itself weighs just 2.6 pounds, its reinforced polypropylene construction supports up to 66 pounds. It is strong enough for bulk groceries, tools, sports equipment, household supplies, and other heavier everyday loads.
Stackable Design
The interlocking structure allows multiple crates to stack securely when they are open or collapsed. This makes it easier to organize vertically in garages, closets, sheds, vehicles, and workspaces.
Lightweight and Easy to Carry
The lightweight construction makes the Utility Crate easy to carry between your home, car, garage, campsite, or workspace—even before you consider how much it can hold.
Ventilated Construction
The open-wall design helps reduce the crate’s overall weight while maintaining structural strength. Ventilation also makes it easy to see what is stored inside.
Made With Recycled Materials
The crate’s polypropylene construction incorporates post-consumer recycled material, creating a sturdy and reusable alternative to disposable bags and cardboard boxes.
How to Use Your 45L Collapsible Utility Crate
For the best results, place heavier items at the bottom and distribute the load evenly across the crate. Do not exceed the 66-pound weight capacity. When carrying heavier contents, use both sides of the crate and keep the load close to your body.
Best Ways to Use Your 45L Collapsible Utility Crate
Grocery runs and bulk shopping: Transport pantry staples, packaged foods, bottled beverages, produce, and bulk purchases without relying on disposable bags or cardboard boxes.
Trunk organization: Keep emergency supplies, reusable bags, car-care products, sports equipment, and other everyday essentials contained and accessible.
Garage and project storage: Organize tools, hardware, gardening supplies, cleaning products, and materials for home projects.
Moving and transportation: Pack books, décor, kitchen supplies, and other household belongings into a sturdy container that can be folded away after the move.
Sports and outdoor gear: Carry balls, shoes, uniforms, camping supplies, picnic gear, and other equipment between your home, vehicle, and destination.
Household organization: Control clutter in closets, pantries, laundry rooms, playrooms, sheds, and workspaces.
Cleaning and Care
Light Cleaning
Remove all contents from the crate and shake or brush out any loose dirt, crumbs, or debris. Wipe the interior and exterior surfaces with a soft, damp cloth, paying extra attention to the handles, corners, file rails, and folding joints where debris may collect. Wipe away any remaining moisture or cleaning residue, then leave the crate fully open until completely dry before collapsing and storing it.
Heavy-Duty Cleaning
Remove all contents from the crate and shake out any loose debris. Spray the crate down with a hose, focusing on the handles, corners, file rails, and folding joints. Leave the crate fully open to dry completely in the shade, then collapse and store it once all surfaces and joints are dry. For most everyday messes, a simple wipe-down is all that’s needed.
Avoid
- Abrasive brushes or scouring pads that could scratch the plastic
- Forcing debris deeper into the folding joints
- Collapsing or storing the crate while it is wet or damp
Storage Instructions
Before storing your 45L Collapsible Utility Crate, make sure it is empty, clean, and completely dry. Collapse it according to the instructions above and place it in a cool, dry location.
At just 2.38 inches tall when collapsed, the crate can be stored in a trunk, closet, garage, pantry, cabinet, or beneath a shelf. It may also be stored vertically when placed somewhere secure where it will not slide or fall. Multiple Utility Crates can be stacked together while open or folded to conserve space.
Important Safety Information
Maximum load: Do not exceed 66 pounds in a single crate.
Folding joints: Keep fingers clear of moving panels when opening and collapsing the crate.
Carrying: Distribute the contents evenly and use both sides of the crate when carrying heavier loads.
Stacking: Make sure each crate is fully opened, properly aligned, and placed on a stable, level surface before stacking.
Not a seat or step: Do not sit, stand, or climb on the crate.
Not for passengers: Never use the crate to transport children or animals.
Ventilated construction: The open crate walls are not designed to contain liquids.
Outdoor use: The crate can be used to transport outdoor equipment, but it should be cleaned, dried, and stored after use rather than left outdoors permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can the 45L Collapsible Utility Crate hold?
The crate has a capacity of 45 liters, or 11.9 gallons, and supports up to 66 pounds.
Does the Utility Crate fold flat?
Yes. It folds down to just 2.38 inches tall, making it easy to store in a trunk, closet, garage, pantry, cabinet, or on a shelf.
What are the dimensions of the crate?
The open crate measures 21.12 inches long, 14.75 inches wide, and 10.63 inches high. Its interior measures 19.75 inches long, 13.38 inches wide, and 10.25 inches high.
Can the crates be stacked?
Yes. The crates’ interlocking design allows them to stack securely when open or folded.
Is the Utility Crate waterproof?
The polypropylene material is easy to wipe clean, but the crate has ventilated, open-wall construction. It is not watertight and is not intended to hold liquids.
Your Utility Crate at a Glance
| Product Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 45 liters (11.9 gallons) |
| Open dimensions | 21.12" L × 14.75" W × 10.63" H |
| Interior dimensions | 19.75" L × 13.38" W × 10.25" H |
| Collapsed height | 2.38" |
| Product weight | 2.6 lbs. |
| Weight capacity | Up to 66 lbs. |
| Materials | Polypropylene made with recycled materials |
| Construction | Reinforced panels with ventilated crate walls |
| Available options | Single crate or 3-pack, depending on color |
| Best for | Groceries, trunk organization, tools, sports gear, moving, camping, and household storage |
Need More Help?
The CleverMade customer-service team is here to help—visit the CleverMade contact page.
For current colors, available pack sizes, product images, and additional information, visit the 45L Collapsible Utility Crate product page.