Topside Creepers

!!! Thread from 2016 !!!

... for working on pickups, etc. A family member is an auto tech, and I'm considering getting him one for Christmas. Pro/Con, comments, recommendations? Edit: Topside Creepers would be a good name for a band.

That would be awesome for my new truck, cant reach anything on the backside without a step stool. Looks a little awkward though.

I like and think it would be used a lot on modern monster trucks.

My coworker (fellow tech) was complaining about how bad his back hurt after working on a Duramax yesterday afternoon. We keep step stools and platforms around for working on trucks, but this could be a serious back saver for large vehicles.

My dad has one, it helps out a bunch on newer trucks. Used it with his Ram 1500 and my Suburban, works pretty good and does save your back.

I've used those, they are really really nice. So much better than having a hood latch implanted in your sternum all day. I fully endorse this item.

If a person wants a cheaper alternive those steps that you hang on the front tire aren't bad. Good for a DIYer with a truck.

with the way trucks keep getting bigger and taller, garages are going to have to install lifts that lower the vehicle down to a workable height

java230 wrote: That would be awesome for my new truck, cant reach anything on the backside without a step stool. Looks a little awkward though.

Can't be any more awkward than standing tippy-toe on an inverted 5-gallon bucket. Yes, I've done that.

The only downside I can see is making sure you have room to store it when not in use.

slantvaliant wrote: Edit: Topside Creepers would be a good name for a band.

It would be a better name for a strip joint.

In reply to Toyman01:

LOLzers.

The one I have doesn't have an adjustable platform, but the part that leans out over the truck goes up and down. For me this means that at heights where I don't need it the turn in the creeper matches my waist and it's comfortable to use. If I raise it up it's too tall to lean over comfortable and I still end up on tippy toes, just further away from everything.

It also takes up a lot of shop space.

Once in a blue moon, though, it's the perfect tool for the job.

Toyman01 wrote:

slantvaliant wrote: Edit: Topside Creepers would be a good name for a band.

It would be a better name for a strip joint.

Nah, that's what you call tall guys at a sorority ball....

Now if had a platform for your legs you would really be onto something. You could lie flat with your arms hanging down into the engine bay.

The Ford dealership I spent 16 months working at had 2.

16 bay shop, and I never saw them used a single time in a year and a half. They had a LOT of dust on them. They took a butt load of space, and we had to continuously keep moving them out of our way.

They look like a good idea but damn they expensive.

Next time you see a couch on somebody's tree lawn, grab the cushions. They make awesome pads for laying down over/kneeling on core supports.

I need this, I wonder what the weight capacity is on one.

In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:

400 lbs.

SVreX wrote: The Ford dealership I spent 16 months working at had 2. 16 bay shop, and I never saw them used a single time in a year and a half. They had a LOT of dust on them. They took a butt load of space, and we had to continuously keep moving them out of our way.

Why was that? Did they make it more difficult? Tricks that the techs and mechanics had that negated their use? Pain in the butt to get them out? Did they just not work well?

Generally curious here. I feel like it would be a godsend for newer trucks; I remember it was a pain just to reach the dipstick on my uncles new 4x4 Silverado.

In reply to mtn:

Now you are asking me to speculate.

Truth is, I don't know. I'm just telling you that shop techs with access to them never used them, and they were always in the way. That leads me to assume that one way or another they were not worth it.

Techs are paid flat rate, and are limited on space. They usually had 2 or 3 bays per tech. Efficiency means more money to them. These devices did not contribute to their efficiency.

If I was the guy trying to move vehicles in and out of my bays quickly and regularly, I wouldn't want the darned thing in my way just so I could lay down to do an oil change.

My personal shop also has limited space. Doesn't yours?

SVreX wrote: Techs are paid flat rate, and are limited on space. They usually had 2 or 3 bays per tech. Efficiency means more money to them. These devices did not contribute to their efficiency. If I was the guy trying to move vehicles in and out of my bays quickly and regularly, I wouldn't want the darned thing in my way just so I could lay down to do an oil change. My personal shop also has limited space. Doesn't yours?

Yeah, but I also don't see a need for one for me--the tallest vehicle I have is a TSX, and even if I had an SUV it would be an appliance that I wouldn't be working on much. Besides, I have a basket case DD (beater with a heater). Even if I had a truck that was the same purpose, I couldn't justify the cost for the amount of use I would get out of one. I just feel that if I had a real shop I'd want one.

SVreX wrote: In reply to mtn: Now you are asking me to speculate. Truth is, I don't know. I'm just telling you that shop techs with access to them never used them, and they were always in the way. That leads me to assume that one way or another they were not worth it.

When I was a tech with access to one I did use it. I will use the analogy of really good comfortable shoes. It may not have made me faster or more efficient, but it sure made the job more enjoyable. I wouldn't buy one for at home because it wouldn't get used enough to justify the floorspace it takes up, but the op was talking about a full time tech. I should mention I'm 5'8" and without it on super duty 4x4's I found myself kneeling on the bumper and layed over hood latch. That sucked.