Using a topside creeper allows you to assess and work on an engine bay with ease. They are mostly used for SUVs or trucks due to the height because it reduces the need to awkwardly bend over the frontend of the vehicle.
The best topside creeper is the Traxion 3-100 Foldable, which has an adjustable height from 52 to 72 inches and folds down for easy storage.
Using a mechanics creeper is ideal for jobs under the car but there is a lot more that goes on from the top of the engine. From changing spark plugs to pouring oil into the engine, using a topside alternative is the best option to reduce fatigue.
Table of Contents
Best Topside Creeper
| Topside Creeper | Height Adjustment | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Traxion 3-100 | 52 - 72 Inches | 400 LBS |
| ATD Tools 8116F | 44 - 64 Inches | 400 LBS |
| Traxion 3-700 ProGear | 52 - 72 Inches | 400 LBS |
| Redline Engineering TOC | 53 - 68 Inches | 350 LBS |
| Whiteside OTE | 43 - 57 Inches | 300 LBS |
The design of a topside creeper is fairly simple as it uses a stable base with an angled step ladder. This allows you to lean against the padded ladder and position yourself directly above the engine compartment.
Stretching over your engine is tiring and causes back or shoulder aches overtime. Purchasing a topside creeper will be the best investment you’ll make if you regularly work on SUVs or trucks and allows you to work more efficiently.
Below is a list of the best topside creepers that will allow you to effortlessly assess and work on your engine compartment.
Traxion 3-100 Foldable Topside Creeper
Traxion are the market leaders when it comes to topside creepers and they manufacturer a wide variety to suit your requirements. The 3-100 Foldable is the most popular model due to its ergonomic and adjustable design.
In terms of the adjustments, the 3-100 model adjust in increments of 6 inches from 52 to a maximum height of 72 inches.
Other features of the Traxion 3-100 Topside Creeper include:
- 140 inches of engine compartment access
- Constructed of heavy-gauge steel
- Powder coated finish to prevent scratches
- Vinyl covered padded deck for comfort
- 4 caster for easy movement
- 2 of the caster lock in place for stability
- Weight capacity of 400 LBS
The Traxion 3-100 is the best topside creeper available and is built by a reputable brand for peace of mind. The adjustable design allows you to use this creeper with regular passenger vehicles to lifted trucks.
Check it OutATD Tools 8116F Foldable Topside Creeper
ATD Tools are a popular brand across the US and the 8116F topside creeper is the main alternative to the Traxion 3-100 above. It is constructed for a heavy-gauge steel with a powder coated finish to prevent scratches and other impact damage.
The ATD Tools 8116F model is also height adjustable and extends from 44 inches to a maximum height of 64 inches.
Other features of the ATD Tools 8116F include:
- Weight capacity of 400 LBS
- Padded deck covered in durable vinyl
- Folds down for easy storage
- Easily adjusted to the desired height
- Locking casters
Overall, the ATD Tools 8116F is an excellent all-round topside creeper that is ideal for those with SUVs or trucks. It has a very similar design to the Traxion-3-100 above but with a slightly higher price but its still a great option to choose.
Check it OutTraxion 3-700 ProGear Topside Creeper
Another topside creeper by Traxion is the 3-700 ProGear model, which is just as popular. It uses an I-base design, which provides more flexibility whilst positioning yourself by the vehicle.
The main difference between the 3-700 and 3-100 is the base design. The 700 allows you to go either side of the tires whereas the 100 you can straddle the tire.
Other features of the Traxion 3-700 ProGear include:
- Adjusts from 52 to 72 inches
- Easily replaceable cover
- Assembles in 12 minutes
- Weight capacity of 400 LBS
- Folds up for easy storage
Overall, the 3-700 ProGear model by Traxion is a great alternative to the 3-100 model as the base design can make positioning easier with your vehicle. The functionality and build quality is very similar but the ProGear is the more expensive model.
Check it OutRedline Topside Over Head Creeper
The Redline Engineering is a topside creeper that is able to adjust in height and angle. This allows you to position your body exactly how you want, which makes working on the engine compartment more comfortable.
This creeper by Redline will adjust in height from 53.5 inches to a maximum height of 68 inches and include 3 angle positions.
Other features of the Redline Topside Creeper include:
- Folds flat for storage
- 4 x 3 inch casters
- Built-in tool tray
- Thick foam padding for comfort
- Weight capacity of 350 LBS
Overall, it is a professional topside creeper with the unique ability to adjust the angle position. This allows you to get into the exact position you wish to be to tackle any difficult tasks under the hood.
Check it OutWhiteside Manufacturing Over Engine Creeper
Other features of the Whiteside Manufacturing Topside Creeper include:
- Weight capacity of 300 LBS
- 2 casters for portability
- Heavy duty steel frame
- Powder coated finish
- Requires assembly
For those that want a smaller topside creeper with additional padding, this model is the best option. It may lack extra casters and have a lower weight capacity but its a more affordable alternative to the premium options above.
Check it OutTopside Creeper Buying Guide
Stretching over your engine compartment is tiring and can lead to back aches. It also makes working on your car more difficult because you may not be able to reach certain components. By using a topside creeper, you are able to position yourself exactly where you want.
They are available in a range of different design with almost all models being adjustable in height. This allows them to be more versatile and work with a range of SUVs or trucks that differ in height.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding topside creepers.
Height Adjustment
The main reason for choosing a topside creeper is to provide additional height whilst working on the engine. Therefore, the height of the creeper is one of the most important factors to consider.
All models differ with the minimum and maximum heights with various increments. The majority range from as little as 43 inches to as high as 72 inches. If you regularly work on lifted trucks, you will want to choose the tallest creeper available.
Extra Padding
To ensure that you are as comfortable as possible, additional padding on the creeper is essential. The last thing that you would want is to lean upon solid steel because this will not be comfortable whatsoever.
The deck should have the most amount of padding because this is where you will spent the majority of the time. We highly recommend that you choose a model that has durable vinyl covering the padding as this is prone to tearing.
Heavy Duty Construction
Due to the tough garage environment, a durable construction is required. The majority are made from a heavy duty steel, which has then been powder coated to prevent scratches appearing.
Those that use weaker materials will often not have a large weight capacity. If you are a heavy build, you will want to ensure the capacity exceeds your gross weight.
Movement
All topside creepers will have wheels/caster at the bottom of the base for moving around the garage. The more caster connected to the base will allow for easier movement but you must ensure that once in position, they are then locked in place.
For the best movement around the garage, four casters is more than adequate with two of the caster being lockable for maximum stability.
Storage
Once fully assembled, a topside creeper is a bulky object that can be difficult to store. All of the recommendations can be folded down into a much smaller size for easy storage. However, they do vary in weight and if you plan on lifting the creeper, this is an important factor to consider.
Conclusion
Investing into the best topside creeper can make a huge difference to the way you work on SUVs or trucks. They offer a more comfortable method of reaching across the engine compartment without causes injury.
All of the recommendations cover a range of budgets and different designs that vary in height. If you own an abnormally high vehicle such as a lifted truck, it is advised that you measure the height from the ground to the engine compartment. For regular trucks or SUVs, the creepers listed above are more than ideal.
