Creepers or cardboard???

[scale]

I have had a nice craftsman creeper for about 20 years. Never use it. I always throw down a slab of cardboard. Much easier to slide around on or stay put if you are wrenching i find.

The creeper is tough to get into spots......and a hassle to roll around on or stay put when you want to.

Which do you prefer. The only reason i havent gotten rid of the creeper is someday i think i will like it. I think it has run its course and i need to sell it off.

 

[EdT]

+1 for cardboard

 

[jumpstart]

Cardboard for the win. I've also had a Craftsman creeper seemingly forever. Looks like new.

 

[c39er]

Card board or bare clean concrete. I have a real nice creeper but I cannot work as efficiently with it.

 

[scale]

funny.....i thought i would get all kinds of backlash about how i have a bad creeper because its a craftsman or it isnt a fancy one with huge wheels etc etc which is probably all true. I didnt expect this much support for cardboard . The creeper just rolls around jamming into things and ******* me off from my experience. Or.....you start wrenching and it starts rolling around so it becomes ineffective.

I use cardboard for everything......it cleans up well. Oil and fluid spills can be wiped right up for the most part..... and can be used many times over. When it wears out, toss it.....and for the most part it is free.

 

[lis2323]

Cardboard for me also. [emoji106]

 

[paulsomlo]

If you have a nice clean floor without cracks and can stand the loss of headroom, the creeper can cut down on the fatigue of constantly getting out from under to get tools.

In the last few years, I've used old carpeting off of trash heaps and also, those big foam interlocking tiles. I toss the carpet when it gets too oily, and the foam tiles can be washed. They were a trash find as well - a neighbor tossed out over a dozen of them, like new. They're nice and soft to lie on - cardboard on cement is pretty hard.

 

[2oolhound]

I like creepers. Cardboard is fine once I'm in position. At my age it's zipping in and out from under the vehicle that gets me mostly.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Cardboard. Currently have a large foam sheet that came wrapped around my new Homak box. Cushy, large, and clean. I hate creepers, can never get leverage with them.

 

[71goldss]

I was given a Craftsman creeper for Xmas from a coworker years ago. I never used it and eventually gave it away. I’ve always used an old moving blanket to kinda cushion the garage floor when under the car. Most recently I’ve been using the cheap HF moving blanket (the black one). I plan to pick up a few more in the near future. I find them to be the perfect size and are cheap enough to be disposable once they get too dirty.

 

[laser3kw]

cardboard or "Kentucky Creeper" as it is called.
I also have a old blanket that I use frequently.

 

[M6erfan]

I was given a Craftsman creeper for Xmas from a coworker years ago. I never used it and eventually gave it away. I’ve always used an old moving mat to kinda cushion the garage floor when under the car. Most recently I’ve been using the cheap HF mat (the black one). I plan to pick up a few more in the near future. I find them to be the perfect size and are cheap enough to be disposable once they get too dirty.

I do the same with cheap HF moving blankets. Which mat do you use? Ive seen ones that have a diamond pattern that look like they might be uncomfortable to lay on

 

[plinker]

I do and dont like creepers, they either move when you dont want them to or dont move when you do want them to. That said, I've worn the wheels off a couple times using my Snap-on one (shop floor that looks like the lunar surface dont help).

I also used a cheap one to act as a tool & parts tray when working on trucks. I dont use the creeper much since doing automotive repair, creeper seat gets a lot more use. For (large) truck repair a good one can be essential.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

I do the same with cheap HF moving blankets. Which mat do you use? Ive seen ones that have a diamond pattern that look like they might be uncomfortable to lay on

+1 for the moving blankets. It also insulates your back from the heat or cold.

 

[finn]

I rarely use my Craftsman creaper. It has a padded body that’s ok but the metal frame makes it uncomfortable to use.

The plastic body creamers are much better. Can’t remember the brand name of the one I have.

Cardboard over a layer of cardboard is better than either, but now that I have a lift, I hope my days of laying on the ground are over.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

I use old carpet padding. Cushion and warmth. I try to like the creeper but it really pisses me off.

 

[shanny19]

I got a creeper once in a three way set with a jack and stands. Jack and stands have been upgraded or replaced couple times over. Creeper is brand new up on top of a shelf.

 

[71goldss]

I do the same with cheap HF moving blankets. Which mat do you use? Ive seen ones that have a diamond pattern that look like they might be uncomfortable to lay on

I corrected my post to read "blanket". This is the one I use:


https://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-x-72-in-moving-blanket-62336.html

 

[lowendrider]

I also have a creeper that has only been used a couple times. Cardboard for me or hear lately a piece of carpet taken from the back of my Jeep.

 

[M6erfan]

I corrected my post to read "blanket". This is the one I use:


https://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-x-72-in-moving-blanket-62336.html

Yep, that's the one. I keep one folded in the trunk too

 

[ChrisLS8]

I always use a creeper. I guess some people have habits they can't break but nothing frustrated me more than being on the ground and shifting my back into a wrench or bolt head.

If I need more room with a creeper I just raise the car more and I don't fight air hoses cause I'm all cordless at this point

 

[71goldss]

Yep, that's the one. I keep one folded in the trunk too

Seems like I got it with one of those "free" coupons, but I'm not positive? I've purchased a few of the larger light blue ones to help move my sister, but I haven't tried using any of those on the garage floor. I think they would be a bit too large for that.

 

[M6erfan]

Seems like I got it with one of those "free" coupons, but I'm not positive? I've purchased a few of the larger light blue ones to help move my sister, but I haven't tried using any of those on the garage floor. I think they would be a bit too large for that.

Yep, I do believe mine was free with coupon too. I need to keep an eye out for that coupon again, heck I'd even buy one to get one free. $2.50ea seems fair...

 

[American Locomotive]

Cardboard all the way. I also have some corrugated plastic sheets (literally looks like cardboard that's made out of plastic) that I use if the ground is wet. The plastic is more durable than the cardboard, but it's a bit more unwieldy.

The strange thing is I really like the idea of a creeper, but have always found them frustrating to use. Any kind of bolt, rust, dirt, etc.. on the ground gets them all messed up, and the loss of clearance stinks.

 

[mowersplus84]

I have one of those mechanics pads from harbor freight it works for me ,I have not found a creeper yet that i like

 

[Skin]

If you want a little more comfort on your cardboard without the height that comes with creeper wheels

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMZW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Gurp]

Cardboard for me. When avalible. Usually I'm rolling in gravel for auto repairs.

 

[driz]

Carpet. Nice 6’ x 2’ ****. When filthy I pressure wash and it’s nice and new again


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[Agentwho]

got to love the “low profile creepers” aka cardboard. I have a decent creeper but most of the equipment I work on doesn’t have much ground clearance so every bit counts. Even when kneeling to work on something I like putting a layer down, it does help on the knees.

I have a double milk crate that I use a lot too. It serves three different seating nights and a step stool. Sometimes low tech is the best.

 

[xin]

CARDBOARD - the best!!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Creeper, cardboard and carpet.

I have a nice Bone creeper that I use, sometimes, depending on what I'm doing.

Cardboard is probably the go to, in and out and no need to jack up the truck or Explorer.

When I'm doing more than an oil change, I'll toss down a section of office style carpet, about 6'x8'. You can buy it cheap enough at the big box store. I also take it to the track to lay on instead the asphalt or inside the trailer when it becomes the "living quarters."

 

[intillzah]

Cardboard for quick jobs (oil changes, fuel filter changes, basic maintenance). And a creeper for jobs that I am having to be there for a while or I need to move around a lot while under the vehicle.

But I do like that idea of the cheap moving blanket instead of cardboard..

 

[jetlag]

I'm an old school cardboard guy.

Clean sheet of cardboard, you can slide when you want, stay put when you need to.
More clearance under the car.
Helps with cleanup after the job.

The only creeper I've ever owned was used as a dolly to move transmissions and rear axles.

Trying to break loose a stubborn fastener is hard enough when you're laying on your back without fighting for leverage against a set of casters.

Best yet, though, is a lift. Working upright like man was intended to....

 

[dale500]

For me it's the harbor freight Anti-Fatigue Roll Mat. It puts a nice soft layer between my old bones and the cold hard concrete of my driveway. 10 bucks well spent and even less with coupon.

 

[Rogers954]

Wow I’m so surprised, i usually feel like the younger guy on here most of the time and yet with so many people saying they prefer cardboard over a creeper just makes me feel like an old man because if i were to lay on some cardboard for an hour under our cars or my truck my back would be fubar for the rest of the day.


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[Seanny]

I was given a Craftsman creeper for Xmas from a coworker years ago. I never used it and eventually gave it away. I’ve always used an old moving blanket to kinda cushion the garage floor when under the car. Most recently I’ve been using the cheap HF moving blanket (the black one). I plan to pick up a few more in the near future. I find them to be the perfect size and are cheap enough to be disposable once they get too dirty.

Same here. I wait until they are on sale for $5 or less and pick up a couple. A little cushioning is nice too when I’m under my car.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Cardboard, + interlocking foam squares if I'm feeling wimpy. My friends store gets pallets with 40 x 48 sheets lining them, so its easy to keep a fresh supply.

Also, as a longhair, creepers f*n ****.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Good stuff!

 

[Shehzada]

Carpet. Nice 6’ x 2’ ****. When filthy I pressure wash and it’s nice and new again


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How many days till it dries to be usable again?

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[KnurledNut]

+1 cardboard.
Crazy how comfortable it is on gravel.