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Creeper Recommendations

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Shiseiji

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Alexandria, VA
Hi all, to date, I've got what I needed by reading, and haven't noted anything I could add to, so have kept a low profile. Now I have a question about creepers and figured, what the heck, may as well see what opinions are out there.

I'm 58 and have managed without one for a long time. Well age, 27 years of soldering (not much left between L4 & L5) and an extra ~ 30# have caught up and the time has come to break down and get something. Brake line on my '98 Explorer has failed and that means some serious under car time. The fact that I've spent less than $2k USD in 15 years on repairs is the factor for fixing it. Though I'm NOT looking forward to the double flares . . .

The garage, sadly, is 23' X 23' of "I'm a gunna." (no different than a kid with eyes too big for a tummy. I'm seriously considering a "Don't look, don't waffle, pitch it." weekend followed by a very large donation to the local Habitat for Humanity store . . . ). Amazing the projects and "stuff" that can accumulate in only 6 years. So that leaves the asphalt driveway.

So anyone have anything that has stood out?

TIA,

Ron
 
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REDONE

Active member
Joined
Sep 2, 2016
Messages
30
Location
Lakewood, CO
I like my Z-creeper as it doubles as a shop stool, BUT t'were I 58 years young (only got 37years under my belt so far, but I'm working on it everyday), I'd probably want something a little more cushiony for a long haul under an Explorer. I use to have a Big Red Dogbone that was pretty comfortable, and the knock-offs at Harbor Freight are almost identical. For $20-30 I think you'd be happy with one.

One note on creepers in general, I ALWAYS replace the casters with the rollerblade style wheels right away. Few things more frustrating than a creeper that won't roll straight when you're trying to get out from under a Wagoneer with a Dana 20 sitting on your belly.
 
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lazer50

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2016
Messages
606
Location
east central indiana
Im 50 with a not so good back as well. I have a 200 dollar snap on that have had for years i find it heavy and cumbersome. I usually use an inexpensive creeper from the auto parts store
 
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Shiseiji

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Alexandria, VA
REDONE said:
One note on creepers in general, I ALWAYS replace the casters with the rollerblade style wheels right away. Few things more frustrating than a creeper that won't roll straight when you're trying to get out from under a Wagoneer with a Dana 20 sitting on your belly.
Click to expand...

Oh amen! In the query I did on the site, casters were the big complaint.

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Shiseiji

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Alexandria, VA
bajones238 said:
I like my blue Jeepers Creeper (about 60 bucks at Amazon, free shipping with Prime).
Click to expand...

Thanks. I hate running around, Amazon is my friend. I figure with gas and time I don't have to spare right now, the mark-up is OK. May change when I can retire. But till then time is the primary thing I have in short supply. I try to get stuff I need ordered by Wed. so I will have it when I'm able to work on what ever. Mon - Wed. is committed out . . .

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bowhuntr311

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 3, 2016
Messages
135
Location
North Central Minnesota
REDONE said:
....I ALWAYS replace the casters with the rollerblade style wheels right away. ....
Click to expand...

Any chance someone can link an amazon link or product name? I have a cheapy that I use quite a bit. But the poor casters havent held up very well. Still better than sliding in and out on my back though.
 
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Dragfluid

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Sep 15, 2013
Messages
17,475
Location
Pillager, MN
I recently bought one for my department at work. It's an Arcan from Northern Tool. All metal frame, and the head rest is adjustable, so you don't have to lay your head flat. I believe that it was about $63.00. Rolls good on its 6 casters.
It's not used a lot, but there are times when a truck has such an unbalanced load on it, it's not safe to hoist it.
 
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REDONE

Active member
Joined
Sep 2, 2016
Messages
30
Location
Lakewood, CO
bowhuntr311 said:
Any chance someone can link an amazon link or product name? I have a cheapy that I use quite a bit. But the poor casters havent held up very well. Still better than sliding in and out on my back though.
Click to expand...
I take one off and go to harbor freight so I can make sure the mounting stud or flange is same-same.
 
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a52-830

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2016
Messages
4,644
Location
north of boston, massachusetts
i bought one of the plastic ones from hf:

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-300-lb-capacity-low-profile-creeper-61916.html

over the years i have tried several. i found that ones with too much padding were uncomfortable, and the metal framed ones always seemed to get bent when it fell over and someone stepped on it rather than pick it up.

i like the hf one because it is pretty low to the ground, it rolls pretty well (although updating to better wheels sounds like a reasonable thing), and those trays on the sides are actually really useful. i find that i place things there without thinking, and they are easy to find (and they are not rolling off my chest as i move around. it also seems relatively easy to get onto and off of, at least for me.

it is also pretty light, compared to some others i have used, but feels substantial.

it is regularly on sale for 20$.
 
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racerex

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Messages
345
Location
NY
Another vote for the Bone. I'm 53, 6'3" and 205lbs. I find it very comfortable, low profile, moves freely and the wheels are large enough to roll over extension cords. I've had it for over 5 years.....maybe even 10.
 
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NorDel Garage

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
219
Location
Newark,Delaware
I have a Bone Rough Rider, and a Harbor Freight creeper. I like them both , depends how high I have my car. It is great with the car on a Quik-Lift. The Rough Rider is very well made in USA.
 
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maxpower_hd

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2015
Messages
2,230
Location
Massachusetts
I have the exact same Jeepers Creepers one. I had tried several others before that one. I have not needed the upgraded wheels on this one either. It has been over a year now and still holding strong with regular use at work. I liked this one because my cloths or skin don't get caught up in the wheels. I am 50 and 200 lb. It doesn't flex at all even with heavy parts in my lap.

It is hard plastic but it is molded so it is reasonably comfortable to me. You could always add some kind of pad to it.
 
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Shiseiji

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Alexandria, VA
bowhuntr311 said:
Any chance someone can link an amazon link or product name?
Click to expand...

Take a look at your creeper and see if your caster has a post or mounting plate. Then try a "Polyurethane casters" query. 8,829 results for Tools & Home Improvement : "Polyurethane casters" but you can quickly whittle that down. If you have a mounting plate, want to have spares or have another use, this was at the top of the list and looks pretty good

https://www.amazon.com/Casters-orange-Polyurethane-Wheels-Swivel/dp/B018KJ9MT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1473264560&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=heavy+duty+casters&psc=1

R
 
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S

Shiseiji

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
12
Location
Alexandria, VA
bowhuntr311 said:
Any chance someone can link an amazon link or product name? I have a cheapy that I use quite a bit. But the poor casters havent held up very well. Still better than sliding in and out on my back though.
Click to expand...

Looks like casters with a two hole rather than 4 hole plate are pretty scarce. The Lisle has a pop-in with what looks to be a proprietary mount and they don't appear to be poly. May mean some grinder work and redrill, or it if you realy like what you have, may be worth getting one like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GHCK9IW?psc=1 just for the wheels.
 
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Falcon67

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2009
Messages
18,371
Location
Merkel, TX
I paint my floors and just slide around on my back. The creeper my wife gave me for Christmas back in 1980 hangs on the wall as a decoration.
 
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APEowner

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
4,164
Location
Sunny, New Mexico
I don't have a recommendation but I can tell you I hate the fancy plastic one we have here at work. Rolling around on it builds up static electricity and every time you touch the car you get zapped.
 
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BearDeXPS

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 7, 2015
Messages
53
has anyone tried the Craftsman Professional 40 in. Creeper?

spin_prod_881039612


spin_prod_914202112
 
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Gerald O

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 5, 2013
Messages
1,884
Location
NC
Someone needs to invent a creeper that's more comfortable to lean over the sides. Mine rolls great and is comfortable enough to lie on my back on it, but it's got metal frame rails running down the sides that are a pain to lie on. I find I end up hanging over the side more often than lying flat on my back.

I'll probably just retire it. Now with the lift, a rolling stool has become my creeper. ;)
 
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Brandon314159

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2016
Messages
89
Location
Milwaukie, OR
I have one of the plastic HF ones and while it's generally comfortable, lightweight, and rolls okay even on my exposed aggregate driveway, it's starting to crack and will 'bottom out' if I put too much weight on one end. I'm 160lbs and 6'7" and while I'd rather lay on the floor, moving up/down a 35ft vehicle gets old fast and hurts the shoulder blades.

Wouldn't last long outside the hobbyist world. Will look at a real one when this one finishes itself off.
 
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BearDeXPS

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 7, 2015
Messages
53
While I was curious about the Craftsman Professional creeper I showed above... I ended up purchasing the Lisle Jeeper Creeper - I'm pretty excited about it. Mainly I work on a track focused cars as an enthusiast and the low profile + no uncomfortable metal frame (or risk of pinch points) + all the positive reviews sold me.

If I had a bunch of money and wanted to splurge on a creeper, I'd give the Creepex Speedster a go... I like a lot about it but at over $200 (or even something of $75) it just didn't pass my 'so-what' test.

But still, check it out if you're interested, it's pretty nifty:

12015198_1692952140936124_1504407600035001009_o.jpg


 
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jimgood

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2014
Messages
2,394
Location
Marshall, VA
My experience is limited but the two I have owned I do not like. The one from HarborFreight broke. I weight 185ish. I sit down on the end and lay back and my weight was enough to crack the plastic inboard of the casters at the **** end. Were it not for that, I would say it's comfortable enough.

The other one was just one of those common ones with the 1" x 1" (or maybe even 3/4") down each side that dig into my shoulders. No good at all. Very uncomfortable.
 
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Tonellin

Banned
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
507
Location
Boston
A craftsman from the 90's-early 00's that's durable as anything but I hate getting sweatshirts stuck under the casters..
 
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