Best Automotive Creepers: Buying Guide and Top Picks for 2017
Out of the many things that you need in the garage, an automotive creeper is one that is often overlooked. Even if you are not a professional mechanic, you will surely benefit from having one. It will allow you to inspect and repair your vehicle easily. Comfort and safety are not things that you need to be worried about.
With too many options for the best automotive creepers, which one can provide the best bang for the buck? If you have no idea which one to purchase, we are here to help you out. In the rest of this post, we will not only tackle the essential purchase considerations but also have a rundown of five of the best products you might find to be interesting.
| Product (Amazon Links) | Brand | |
|---|---|---|
 
|
Omega | Review |
|
Traxion | Review |
Dale Adams Enterprises The Bone Rough Rider 7031 Mechanic’s Creeper |
The Bone | Review |
Whiteside Manufacturing USA Made Professional Creeper (MTL2UP) |
Whiteside Manufacturing | Review |
Performance Tool Wilmar W85005 Creeper with Adjustable Headrest |
Performance Tool Wilmar | Review |
Essential Factors to Consider When Buying
To start with, below are some of the things that need careful thought, making it easier for you to narrow down the possibilities and come up with the right choice.
1. Reviews from Other Users
In the case of buying other products for the garage, a good starting point would be feedback from other people. Luckily, there are other users who are generous enough to share their experiences. Pay attention to what they are saying about the quality of the creeper, especially with regard to how comfortable it is.
2. Warranty
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As always, it is better to choose a product with extensive warranty coverage. Most of the products available in the market will have a one-year warranty. It is better if the warranty is longer. This means that at any point within the warranty duration, if the product becomes defective, you can have it returned and they will shoulder the repair and replace the defective parts.
However, it is also important to note that not all types of problems will be covered by the warranty. You need to prove that the defect is not an outcome of your negligence. It is important to read the manufacturer’s terms and conditions to be eligible for the warranty.
3. Comfort
A lot of people complain about working on their vehicles because of discomfort. With the best automotive creeper, this should not be a cause of worry for you. To be assured of your comfort, see to it that it comes with a thick cushion. To add, it would be good if it came with a headrest. Even if you work for an extended period, these features will make sure that you are comfortable.
4. Adjustments
You should look for an automotive creeper that comes with an adjustable incline. This means that you will be able to higher or lower the position of the creeper depending on the clearance of the car. Some have headrests that can be inclined in multiple positions. Others, meanwhile, can be raised if you are working on a tall vehicle.
5. Wheels
It is also important for the automotive creeper to have high-quality and smooth-rolling casters. With the latter, it will be easy for you to work in different areas without the need to manually lift the creeper. See to it that aside from rolling smoothly, the wheels should also be lockable. This will allow you to keep it in a stable position.
6. Durability
We all want a product that will last for a long time, if not a lifetime. With this, consider how durable is the automotive creeper before deciding on which one should be purchased. Start with the evaluation of the materials that are used. For some, hard plastic is the best material. Cushions may be more comfortable, but the problem is that they can easily be deformed because of the weight that is applied to it.
7. Cleaning and Maintenance
An automotive creeper will last for a long time if you exert effort in its cleaning and maintenance. Therefore, you have to pick one that is made from materials that will be effortless for you to clean and maintain.
Again, hard plastic may be excellent when it comes to being easy to clean. If it is made from cushion, on the other hand, a great option is one that comes with a vinyl cover. The latter can be easily cleaned by simply wiping the surface. It is also good if the cover is stain-resistant.
8. Capacity
When it comes to the technical specifications of automotive creepers, one of the most critical is the load capacity. This refers to the maximum number of pounds or kilos that the automotive creeper will be able to support. If you are heavy, choose one that is suitable for your weight. Otherwise, your safety can be compromised, and the automotive creeper may not last long.
9. Design
You also have to consider the overall design of the automotive creeper. Remember, there is more than what meets the eye. It is not enough that it comes with appealing aesthetics. It should have an intelligent design; for instance, it must be supportive and should be right for your height. It will also be good if it comes with a one-piece design, which will make it more comfortable.
Top Picks for the Best Automotive Creepers
In this section, we will identify a few of the models that can provide excellent value for money, as well as their most notable features.
1. Omega 91000 Black 40” Foldable Z Creeper
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This automotive creeper has a capacity of 450 pounds, making it the perfect choice even for larger users. Aside from this, it is a well-loved model because it is versatile. You can easily have it converted from a creeper to a seat within seconds and without the need for any tool.
When it comes to your comfort, this will not fail to deliver a positive impression. The padding that is incorporated is the one that makes it comfortable. It is thick enough, making sure that you will be able to work comfortably, even for an extended period.
It is also a good choice because of the construction of the wheels, making the creeper excellent when it comes to mobility. Transferring it from one place to another does not need to be a complicated task. The full-bearing casters are also oil-resistant. It is also made from polyurethane aside from being long-lasting, it resists rough surfaces and it can roll smoothly.
Lastly, it comes with a heavy-duty frame. With the latter, you can have peace of mind about the durability of the creeper. Plus, the manufacturer is also offering the standard one-year warranty for this product.
Pros:
- Space-efficient and foldable design
- Solid construction
- High-quality and easy to maneuver wheels
- Easily converts from creeper to stool
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Some may find it to be too tall
- Vague assembly instructions
2. Traxion 3-100-FFP Foldable Topside Creeper
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You might be like this foldable topside creeper for its versatility. This is one of the best in the market because it is durable, making it useful even through the years.
Unlike most of the automotive creepers, this is not one that is designed for working under your vehicle. Rather, it is a topside creeper, which means that it makes it easy to work on hard to reach portions of your vehicle. This will especially be great if you will be working on a huge and tall truck.
It is also great in terms of space-efficiency. If you have a small garage, you do not need to think much about the amount of space that it will consume. Because of its fold-able design, you can store it without requiring a large space.
While it may be quite tricky to maneuver this creeper, it has excellent casters that are lockable. This will allow you to lock the position of the creeper so that you can safely accomplish any task.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy construction
- Works perfectly for tall vehicles
- Spares the back from pain
Cons:
- Difficult to move around
3. Dale Adams Enterprises The Bone Rough Rider 7031 Mechanic’s Creeper
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This automotive creeper is equipped with 5-inch diameter wheels, which are larger than many other models in the marketplace. The wheels are durable and moving it around the garage will not be a problem. The wheels are also great because they will roll well in different types of surfaces. Also, because the wheels are large, it will be able to roll smoothly even if there are tiny objects that it will be passing through.
The low height of the automotive creeper is also a plus. This means that there will be low clearance, which will make it easy for you to work even on low vehicles. To be specific, this automotive creeper comes with 1 ¾-inch clearance.
The polypropylene material that is used in the creeper is also a plus. It is molded, making it more comfortable. However, because of the lack of cushion, some people might find the surface to be too hard for their back and neck.
Lastly, the best thing about this product is perhaps the lifetime warranty on the wheels, which is way better than most of its competitors. This means that at any point, if the wheels are defective, the manufacturer will do what it takes to deliver your satisfaction. The body, on the other hand, has a warranty that lasts for one year.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Wheels are easy to roll
- Comfortable
- Perfect even for vehicle with low clearance
Cons:
- Not for people who are tall
4. Whiteside Manufacturing USA Made Professional Creeper (MTL2UP)
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This is another automotive creeper that you might want to consider. Looking at its features, it seems like this is another option that can deliver a lot of promise.
Among others, one thing that I personally loved about this creeper is how versatile it is. You will have the complete freedom to adjust its incline depending on the position you are more comfortable with when working. Adjusting the position does not also require too much effort on your end.
In terms of comfort, you will love this creeper. It has a thick cushion, providing the support that your back needs. Plus, the cushion comes with a vinyl cover. With the latter, cleaning it will be effortless. simply wiping the surface will be enough.
Pros:
- Position can be easily adjusted
- Has thick and comfortable cushion
- Sturdy construction
Cons:
- Not as popular as other models
5. Performance Tool Wilmar W85005 Creeper with Adjustable Headrest
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It comes with a heavy-duty and powder-coated frame. This might not be the lightest in terms of weight, but because it is designed with wheels, moving this around the garage will not require too much effort.
Lastly, it can be adjusted in three different positions. You can personalize the incline of the automotive creeper depending on how low or high is the position that you need.
Pros:
- Keeps the body cool and comfortable
- Generous weight capacity
Cons:
- The headrest can be difficult to adjust
- Not for cars with low clearance
Conclusion
In sum, if there is only one product that I can personally recommend, it would be Omega 91000 Black 40” Foldable Z Creeper. The latter comes with durable construction, making it last for many years. It is also comfortable, making it easy to work on your car. Given all of its positive points, there is no doubt that it can provide excellent value for your money.
Are you looking for other products that you can use in your garage or for your car? Click here and we will help you decide which ones are the best in the market.
