To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Your thoughts on Topside Creepers?

What do you think of Topside Creepers?

  • I own one & LOVE IT!

    Votes: 6 26.1%
  • I own one & never use it.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I want one!

    Votes: 13 56.5%
  • Topside Creeper? HA! I stand on radiators...

    Votes: 4 17.4%

  • Total voters
    23

woodstockva

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
894
Location
USA
Hi everyone -

I am seriously considering picking up a topside creeper to work on vehicles....this constantly leaning over an engine is making my back and neck hurt.

I see that there are larger truck sized ones with folding legs (higher & easy to store) & there are "junior" versions that are much smaller, but good for cars only.

What are you guys using? How do they hold up?

Any issues with things breaking or problems you have with them?

Thanks a lot!

Woodstockva
 

Attachments

  • Topsider_lrg.jpg
    Topsider_lrg.jpg
    94.8 KB · Views: 78
  • camaro-top-side-creeper.jpg
    camaro-top-side-creeper.jpg
    111.6 KB · Views: 81
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Alienbaby17

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Messages
338
Location
Minnesota
I don't have one of these but it is something I have been considering buying. I am very sick of having whatever I am standing on to work on a big truck slide out and cause me to fall onto the hood latch.

I'd like to hear some reviews from people that own/ use these.
 

stratman977

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
633
Location
Belle Vernon, PA
The truck one doesn't go low enough to use it on a car. The lowest setting sits about level with the hood on my superduty.

I'm 300lbs and it doesn't have any trouble holding me.
 

48RON54

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
2,666
Location
Inland Empire, CA
I hate worrying about when my back will lock up on me when bending over an engine compartment (particularly my truck)......I want one pretty bad
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

zakmartin

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Messages
620
Location
Seattle, WA
Check the Youtube channel for Briansmobile1. He's done some reviews of topside creepers and repair ergonomics in general. It seems like you really do get what you pay for with these things. Depending on how much you weigh, the cheaper ones might be too flimsy to hold up to the rigors of daily use.
 

Provincial

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Messages
6,883
Location
Near Salem, OR
I bought one used for $50.00 from an older fellow who used it to do a major project on a Dodge pickup and then got tired of storing it. I use it on my 2001 F250 diesel and an F450 gas service truck. It is wonderful for working on the upper side of these truck engines, but mine is the early version that doesn't fold up for storage. I find that it takes up a lot of room when not in use. Fortunately, I have a lot of room. I need to figure out a place where I can store something else over the lower "feet" to minimize it's consumption of floor space!

This hogging of floor space is the only drawback I see to the Topside Creeper, even the folding model.
 

MN4x4

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,443
Location
Minnesnowta
I had both the original version and now have the newer fold-up version. I got rid of the older version because the twin legs wouldn't fit under some of the truck and tractor tires I have. I am VERY happy with the new one and can't believe I waited so long to get one.

I work on 3/4 ton trucks and up, so I really need it as there is a LOT you can't reach from the ground. And standing on a stool becomes a real pain after a short time - even more so if you lean over too far the stool scoots out from under your feet!

At least the engine wasn't running when that happened!

:yikes:
 

durallymax

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
918
I have one but don't "love" it, I voted that anyways since you gave no other option. It's a great concept but has flaws.

#1, biggest issue for me. Its built for midgets. AKA people under 6' tall I am guessing. All I know is that I am not "tall" (6' 2") but the steps are not positioned right at all for comfortable work. I can never stretch my legs, my knees are always bent and its a bit uncomfortable to work for a long time. When you really get cranking on stuff you can't use your entire body for leverage because you slip off (i'm scrawny, I depend on the rest of my body for muscle). Cutting the steps off and positioning them where they are comfortable fixes these issues. I really am curious what height person these were made for.

#2, the stupid step welded to the bottom for when you have it extended all the way. Cut that thing off. After you trip on it how many times you too will get pissed and cut it off. It sticks out further than everything else so you are always tripping on it.

#3, the wheels lock but it doesn't stay in place very well. Nature of the beast though, not much you can do. Kind of like and engine stand, they never stay in place either.

#4 The legs stick up very high and this can limit what you can get under all the time. Not often, but every once and awhile its an issue. Simply making them heavier with smaller material would've been nicer.

#5 the pad *****. I'm a very skinny guy and after you lay on that pad for 5 minutes it feels like a board. Do your self a favor when you get it and ditch the crappy foam right away for some denser foam. Thicker if you want.

The little pouch on the front is pretty useless, take it off if you want. Just get a tool stand that you can place where ever needed to hold your tools.



It may just be me, but whenever I get off of the thing and back onto my feet my sternum will hurt for a minute or so and just overall feel a bit weird. Could be partially to do with the step placement being less than ideal for my size combined with the poor pad.


It's been awhile since I've actually had to use mine, I've got a port in right now and laying on it with that much force isn't too comfortable. I think I might just make my own in the meantime based off the original but tailored to my size and with some improvements. Since I basically want to change the entire thing I figure its better than hacking the old one up since I can just sell that.

A couple other ideas I had for it were to mount an LED worklight underneath it to shine where you are working, and maybe a slide out tray for tools. a better adjustment system wouldn't hurt but the one on there works. I honestly haven't found a use for the tilt system though.

It would really be neat if there was a way to rest your feet in the air more when you are really reaching for stuff, you'll end up dangling them in the air a lot when reaching for the backs of engine compartments, especially stuff thats low. Your calves will be sore.


Overall though, the concept of a topside creeper is genius, the above is just my opinion. Its a great tool but may need some custom tailoring to meet your needs.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom