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We agree, that maintaining a vehicle is one hell of a job!
Even more so when you don’t have the right tools and equipment to help you with the cause. But with something like a topside creeper, the daunting task becomes considerably less demanding.
After all, who wouldn’t want to access those remote areas minus the strain on muscles?
With this thought in mind, we set out to get a suitable model for our requirements. But the number of options made us drop the idea altogether.
So that you don’t face the same problem as we did, we’ve curated this list of the best topside creepers of the year that money can buy. And as a bonus, a short buyers’ guide will help you make the decision really quickly.
With all said and done, let’s begin!
Best Topside Creepers
Here's the list of the 5 best topside creepers that combine durability, functionality, and ergonomic design to enhance your working experience.
1. Traxion 3-100 Foldable Topside Creeper - Best for Comfort & Stability
The top spot on our list goes to the Traxion 3-100 Foldable Topside Creeper. Made from heavy-gauge steel, this foldable creeper can effortlessly hold up to 400 pounds. What’s more, the ergonomic design provides comfort and stability at a pocket-friendly price.
Traxion is well known for manufacturing high-quality tools and equipment, and this topside creeper justifies its reputation. Firstly, the heavy-gauge steel frame is well-built and can carry up to 400 pounds, making it equally suitable for heavyweight users. Besides, the smooth finish keeps it from scratching and denting nearby objects.
As far as stability is concerned, the V-shaped base ensures optimum side-to-side stability. Apart from that, the two pins securely hold the support pieces in place, thereby reducing any risk of toppling. Furthermore, you can lock the four swivel casters before climbing up.
Once the frame is set up, all you have to do is pop out the top pins to slide it out and remove them to lower the stand. When you have reached the desired height (from anywhere between 48 to 65 inches), reinsert the pins to lock them in place. After finishing work, simply pull out the lower pins to fold the tool flat.
Last but not least, the broad padded deck has just the right thickness that allows you to work comfortably for long working hours. For its rather affordable price, we really can’t ask for more!
While the height range of the 3-100 topside creeper gives smooth access to SUVs and pick-up trucks, it might not be very helpful for trucks with over 6 inches of lift. Also, the vinyl quality on the deck makes it prone to damage.
What We Like
- Stable and wheelable base
- Folds quickly for secure storage
- Wide vinyl deck
- Rust-resistant finish
What We Don't Like
- Low-quality vinyl cover
Foldable: Yes | Adjustable Height: Yes | Weight Capacity: 400 lbs | Frame Material: Steel | Padded Supports: Yes
2. Traxion 3-700 Foldable Topside Creeper - Best for Professional Mechanics
Our second pick of the day is yet another topside creeper from Traxion. The 3-700 Topside Creeper boasts a sturdy construction to provide safe and unobstructed access to the engine compartments. Plus, its foldable design aids hassle-free storage.
To begin with, the positive customer feedback got us interested in this product. Talking about the overall construction, its robust all-steel body is equipped with a carrying capacity of 400 pounds. When extended, it creates a convenient angle to provide proper access while keeping the frame adequately backed away from the vehicle.
On that note, it can be adjusted to achieve a height of anywhere between 53 to 75 inches, with increments of 6 inches. The dual-locking casters use pins that can be popped in and out to slide and adjust the creeper.
Moreover, the steps are perfectly distanced, which makes climbing up and down the frame quite fast and easy. Additionally, the I-base design amps up the stability factor of the structure.
Unlike other creepers that use a hard plywood base, the upholstered vinyl cover on this one goes over a sling, which facilitates maximum comfort and uniform weight distribution. And since it’s secured by Velcros, you can easily remove the cover for cleaning all that grease and oil.
Lastly, the foldable design, in tandem with the wheelable base, makes it easier to move around and store in compact spaces, respectively.
The steel construction makes the frame weigh almost 75 pounds. Thus, you may need extra help while loading and unloading. We’d have liked some more padding on the sling base for added comfort. However, you may use bedding foam to stuff the sling at your convenience.
What We Like
- 140-inch engine compartment access
- I-design base goes well around the tires
- Triangle support near the base reinforces stability
- Removable and washable cover
What We Don't Like
- Heavy
- Insufficient padding
Foldable: Yes | Adjustable Height: Yes | Weight Capacity: 400 lbs | Frame Material: Steel | Padded Supports: Yes
3. TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper - Best for Customizable Height & Angle
Completing our top three positions is the TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper. Its robust construction and ergonomic angle make it a popular choice among users, especially professionals. The adjustable height feature makes it suitable to work with a range of vehicles.
Similar to the Traxion 3-100, its heavy-gauge steel frame is designed to be stable and sturdy on most surfaces. Unsurprisingly, it adds up to the product’s weight, but the wheeled base makes it convenient to move around.
What appealed to us the most was the judicious use of padding. In addition to the upper deck, it has a fair bit of cushioning extra near the front, which keeps the vehicles from getting scratched by the frame. Other than that, the padded rear bar on the steps also reinforces stability.
Not only can the ladder be adjusted to achieve a height of anywhere between 48 and 64 inches, but it also collapses tightly for easy storage. We also liked how the wheels facilitate smooth maneuverability.
Although the TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper is designed to be a professional mechanic’s sidekick, we won’t discourage homeowners from having a go at it. However, do remember that it’s not the most affordable model out there.
Honestly, we aren’t too bummed out about the expensive price tag after all that it has to offer. The absence of locking casters may disappoint some users, but we didn’t feel any less secure and stable while working with it.
What We Like
- Broad, wheeled base
- Collapses tightly
- Attached tool pouch on the front deck
- Wide vinyl-protected deck
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
Foldable: Yes | Adjustable Height: Yes | Weight Capacity: 400 lbs | Frame Material: Steel | Padded Supports: Yes
4. REL Stapleton Foldable Topside Creeper
The REL Stapleton Foldable Topside Creeper is another one of our affordable favorites. Its simple yet effective design is fit for a range of mechanical tasks, be it at the workshop or at home. Besides, it facilitates a fair bit of adjustment.
Having tried a number of steel-framed topside creepers, we were looking forward to this one, in terms of stability. To our relief, the heavy-duty steel construction is capable of holding up to 300 pounds, which is a decent capacity, in our opinion. But similar to the TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper, this takes a toll on its overall weight.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of this unit is its adjustable height feature. In addition to setting up the side ladder from 48 to 64 inches high, you can also choose between 3 lean-in angles. This, in turn, allows you to customize it for reaching different areas of the engine compartment.
Complete with a durable vinyl-covered padded deck and locking casters, the REL Stapleton Foldable Topside Creeper is one of the most cost-effective models in its price range.
Despite having twin casters, we did face considerable difficulty in wheeling it around. We feel maybe a pair of extra casters would have solved this problem.
What We Like
- Abrasion-resistant deck
- Corrosion-resistant steel frame
- Angle and height adjustments
- Folds easily
What We Don't Like
- Not very maneuverable
Foldable: Yes | Adjustable Height: Yes | Weight Capacity: 350 lbs | Frame Material: Steel | Padded Supports: Yes
5. JEGS 81166 High Top Creeper
Now that we've reached the end, the JEGS 81166 High Top Creeper finds an honorable mention in today’s list. Its compact design ensures optimum stability for your legs while working on the vehicle. Designed to carry considerable weight, it’s an ideal option if you’re looking for an upgrade.
Undoubtedly, we were intrigued to find how well the model performs for its massive carry capacity. For starters, the durable steel structure culminates into an L-shaped base, which ably holds up the stepladder above. Moreover, the topmost step has a padded rear bar for better stability.
Similar to the TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper, the cushioned deck has an attached tool pouch for user convenience. Apart from that, the ladder has an adjustable height range of 55.5 to 60.5 inches, meaning you can customize it as required.
Weighing at nearly 66 pounds, it isn't the most lightweight model on the market. And this is where the 4 swivel casters will come in handy. Two of them can be locked in place to prevent even the slightest movement.
Despite having a compact frame, the JEGS 81166 High Top Creeper is equipped to carry heavyweight users with ease. If you’re on the hunt for an affordable and sturdy option, then this model might fit your needs.
We are not particularly impressed with the uneven finishing of the top edges, which may cause injuries. Also, first-time users may find it challenging to assemble the frame, so we’d recommend setting aside a good amount of time for the cause.
What We Like
- Maneuverable
- Foldable design for hassle-free storage
- Padded and upholstered deck
- Slip-resistant steps
What We Don't Like
- Sharp top edges can cause injury
Foldable: Yes | Adjustable Height: Yes | Weight Capacity: 400 lbs | Frame Material: Steel | Padded Supports: Yes
Best Topside Creepers Comparison Table
| Product | Foldable | Adjustable Height | Weight Capacity | Frame Material | Padded Supports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traxion 3-100 Foldable Topside Creeper | Yes | Yes | 400 lbs | Steel | Yes |
| Traxion 3-700 Foldable Topside Creeper | Yes | Yes | 400 lbs | Steel | Yes |
| TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper | Yes | Yes | 400 lbs | Steel | Yes |
| REL Stapleton Foldable Topside Creeper | Yes | Yes | 350 lbs | Steel | Yes |
| JEGS 81166 High Top Creeper | Yes | Yes | 400 lbs | Steel | Yes |
Buying Guide For The Best Topside Creeper
With all the top names worth considering at your disposal, the job is only half done. No matter how big (or how little) you spend for a topside creeper, your investment won’t yield the desired results if the unit can’t perform as per your needs.
So, here we are with a short buyers’ guide that will help you take note of the most crucial features that should drive your purchase decision.
Weight Bearing Capacity
Without a second thought, the very first thing to consider is the carrying capacity of your preferred topside creeper. Here, we’d like to state that an all-metal body or wide cushioned deck shouldn’t be used as the parameters to judge how much the frame can carry.
To be absolutely sure that what you’re buying will keep you from falling, we strongly recommend looking out for the exact carrying capacity. On a side note, it’s a good practice to invest in one that has a slightly higher weight capacity than required, just to make room for future needs.
Adjustable Height
Since topside creepers keep you a fair bit above the ground, they come with an adjustable mechanism that lets you decide on the height of the frame. Generally, a height range between 40 to 64 inches is suitable for semi-trucks and SUVs. However, you may opt for a higher creeper for larger vehicles.
Maneuverability
For durability and stability purposes, most models on the market have a steel construction, which also makes them quite heavy. Hence, you may want to look out for wheeled bases. Additionally, lockable casters are one of the main features that lock the unit in place to ensure optimum stability.
Padded Deck
Because you may end up spending long hours working on the topside creeper, the padded deck should be thick and comfortable to sustain your body weight for a long span. So, keep an eye out for the durability of the cushion as well. Also, a removable cushion facilitates easy cleaning and replacement when required.
Tool Pouch
Tool pouches attached to the front of the deck make it convenient for the user to store all necessary tools and equipment in one place.
What are the benefits of using a topside creeper?
Using a topside creeper offers several benefits, including:
Improved access to the engine bay, making it easier to perform maintenance and repairs.
Reduces strain on the back and joints, promoting better ergonomics and preventing injuries.
Increased productivity and efficiency by providing a stable and comfortable working platform.
Are topside creepers adjustable?
Yes, most topside creepers come with adjustable height settings to accommodate different vehicle sizes and user preferences. The adjustable feature allows users to set the platform at a comfortable working height.
How much weight can a topside creeper support?
The weight capacity of topside creepers can vary depending on the model and brand. It’s essential to check the manufacturer’s specifications for the weight capacity before use. Typically, topside creepers can support weights ranging from 250 to 400 pounds.
Can topside creepers be easily stored or transported?
Yes, many topside creepers are designed with foldable frames or collapsible features, making them easy to store and transport. This feature is particularly useful for those with limited workshop space or those who need to carry the creeper to different locations.
Are topside creepers suitable for all vehicle types?
Topside creepers are generally designed to work with various vehicle types, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. However, it’s essential to consider the weight capacity and dimensions of the topside creeper to ensure compatibility with your specific vehicle.
Conclusion
Trust us when we say that buying a topside creeper isn't as easy as climbing one!
Even before you can appreciate this very beneficial invention, you will have to bring the right one home. And making that decision can well make you rack your brain. But to help avoid this unpleasant situation, we’ve listed out the 11 best models up for grabs.
Now, before you take a pick or head out to buy one, here’s a quick shoutout to some of our favorites from the list.
The Traxion 3-100 Foldable Topside Creeper is affordable and delivers quality performance. On the other hand, the TD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper has a front tool pouch for added user convenience. The Traxion 3-120 Junior Creeper has a simple, distinct yet effective design.
With this, it’s time for us to bring down the curtains. Hope our effort has, by now, helped you make the final call. Do let us know about it in the comments section below.
Till next time!
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