Mechanic’s creepers have been around forever. In the old days, creepers had some sort of wooden framework, a wood base (usually plywood) and a (barely) padded headrest. They almost always had steel wheels, usually with a sharp edge on one side. Those sharp edges were notorious for damaging or severing extension cords and drop light wiring. They were also a painful reminder to keep your digits and other body parts clear of the wheels.
Here’s my modern Workshop Solutions Heavy-Duty Creeper next to a well-used, 45-year-old wood “antique.” I can assure you the modern creeper is much more comfortable and useful. (Image/Wayne Scraba)On the bottom side, there’s a lot of difference between the two. As noted in the text, the steel wheels on vintage creepers such as this one were bad news for extension cords, light cables, and your fingers. (Image/Wayne Scraba)Modern creepers are actually lower in profile (deck to floor) when compared to vintage examples (with the thick cushion compressed). Photo bomb by shop dog Teddy. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
As low-tech and uncomfortable as they were, those old creepers got the job done. But the ones available today are light-years better. Some are constructed with a molded plastic frame or chassis that are often shaped to match the average human body. Others have a fabricated steel frame. Some have cut outs for arms and shoulders which provide for more room when swinging wrenches. There are creepers available with adjustable seats with headrests and adjustable back rests that allow you to operate from a sitting or semi-reclined position. You can get creepers that convert to a low profile stool or designed to fold up in order to save shop space.
Let’s take a closer look at the Workshop Solutions creeper. It’s built with a one inch tubular steel frame. It uses four three inch industrial style casters and has a maximum weight rating of 500 pounds. Both the headrest and the backrest are adjustable. The backrest can be adjusted to lay flat or one of five other positions. The headrest can be adjusted independently of the backrest. (Image/Wayne Scraba)This Summit Racing™ Steel Frame Creeper has an adjustable backrest, 2.5 inch diameter wheels, and a 350 pound weight rating. It measures 17 inches wide by 42 inches long by 4 inches high. (Image/Summit Racing)This is a Lisle Low-Profile Plastic Creeper. It’s a body-fitting design with short urethane wheels. It has a floor to seat clearance of a mere 7/8 of an inch. Weight capacity is 300 pounds. (Image/Summit Racing)
There’s even a device in the creeper “category” called a high top or topside creeper. They allow you to work on the top side of the engine compartment while laying on your stomach. Essentially, these topside creepers save you from the often uncomfortable, sometimes down right painful process of leaning or laying in and over the engine compartment.
This Performance Tool Cool Weave Folding Creeper has a woven fabric on the base that allow air to circulate so your back stays cooler during the dog days of summer. The creeper has a steel frame and four 2.5 inch casters. (Image/Summit Racing)Here’s one of the topside creepers mentioned in the text. Made by Workshop Solutions, It has a latch system that lets you adjust height from 48 to 64 inches. The creeper has a contoured bed for comfort and a pivoting frame that folds away for easy storage. (Image/Summit Racing)
The Summit Racing website lists almost 50 mechanic’s creepers. We’ll show you several examples of what’s available.
This K-Tool Creeper folds into a rolling stool. The creeper is fully padded and is fitted with six 2.5 inch diameter wheels. Weight capacity is 250 pounds. (Image/ Summit Racing)This Workshop Solutions Interior Car Creeper can save you a lot of back pain when you have to work under the dash. It can be adjusted from 15 to 25 inches in height and has a removable knee pad. (Image/Summit Racing)
Wayne Scraba is a diehard car guy and regular contributor to OnAllCylinders. He’s owned his own speed shop, built race cars, street rods, and custom motorcycles, and restored muscle cars. He’s authored five how-to books and written over 4,500 tech articles that have appeared in sixty different high performance automotive, motorcycle and aviation magazines worldwide.
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