I hope you’ll agree with me when I say:
Working on cars is so much easier with the help of a creeper.
Just slide under, lay comfortably and focus on the task ahead. Much better than old cartons… But hey we’ve all done that.
To help you find the best mechanics creepers available, I reviewed my favorite 5 models, from extremely tough, 100% american made creepers to extremely practical, foldable Z creepers that are both a creeper and a seat.
Check it out:
My first ever creeper was a metal frame I welded with the help of a friend, with one metal plate rib and a old sofa cushion adjusted to the frame. I wish I had a picture around because it was the ugliest, crappiest piece of equipment.
But it did the job.
It was crappy and after a while using it, it made my back hurt but money was a big issue when I first started at the age of 16 so I was happy anyway because it was better than laying on cartons.
Fast forward 10 years and I’ve used uncountable creepers, both in my own garage and on the many garages I’ve worked and there are a very few memorable ones (for the good).
I’ve tried my hardest to find links to those products (some, like the Bone I used back at Chrysler were easy, some others like the Traxion took me a couple of phone calls to even find out what the name was) and to explain what is great and what isn’t so good about each one.
In any case, this mechanics creepers are the few ones I believe are worth any hard-working guy’s money, because they provide a great return on investment in terms of comfort, usability and durability.
No more history, let’s jump straight to the reviews.
Top 5 Best Car Creepers On The Market
Comparison Chart
1. The Bone by Dale Adams Enterprises
The most popular and first ever creeper model from Dale Adams Enterprises, “The Bone” has become the standard for quality and comfort in the creeper industry, and is sought after by name.
One of the things I like best about this creeper is that even in this era of global outsourcing for parts and labor, “The Bone” continues to be manufactured in the United States. It’s comfortable design cradles your shoulders and hips between the oversized wheels a mere inch off the ground.
The secret to how comfortable “The Bone” is to ride is in its rib-reinforced body and injection molded cradle that doesn’t have any seams or edges that pinch or chafe while you are on your back. The outboard wheel pods are also specifically designed to prevent tips and flips while you are moving, and the wheels are designed to last a lifetime with their high-durability, industrial-grade specs.
The special compound in the tires helps this creeper roll right over cracks, power cords, and whatever other floor hazards might be in your garage without slipping or losing traction or causing the creeper to tilt or roll over.
When you’re working underneath a car for a long while you wanna make sure safety is assured. Not only this creeper will make it easy and comfortable, but you should aswell get a good pair of jack stands and, of course, a good quality jack to lift the car to a nice height.
I’d recommend this creeper to anyone who tries to purposefully buy American-made products and wants a creeper that is well designed, tough as nails, and comfortable all day long. Definitely one of the very best mechanics creepers ever made.
Pros
- Easily rolls over most garage obstacles like power cables, cracks, grates, etc.
- Specially designed wheels with pliable, tacky TPE tires.
- 1 ¾-inch clearance makes it the lowest creeper on the market.
Cons
- Lower clearance can be a liability in some instances
- Wheel and tire gear4wheels1-20nts are costly
- No side rails or carrying grips makes it awkward to carry
2. Traxion 1-100 ProGear
Designed with the wide user in mind, Traxion’s ProGear is built from the ground up to be comfortable, functional, and highly mobile. One of the ways they accomplish this is the gigantic 5-inch casters that provide a comfortable ride even on the roughest of garage floors.
Don’t think for a second though that the massive casters make it hard to fit under a car: the outrigger frame still maintains a low profile, and the extra-wide drop deck has no pinch points to cause you discomfort during those long hours in the shop.
What I like best about this creeper is the additional padding and support where I need it most.
For example, the built-in lumbar support and wider frame mean you feel less fatigued at the end of the day, which means a boost in productivity and overall quality of life at work.
I”d have to say right after the supports, I love the giant casters on this creeper. Most creepers can’t clear a small gauge power cord, forget a grating edge or a big crack in the concrete floor.
This creeper is like having an ATV for the shop floor, and it absorbs shocks and bumps along the way without shaking you to pieces.
I’d recommend this creeper for larger and taller mechanics who want to be able to work all day on their back without feeling every bump and shock at the end of the day or when they stand up again.
Pros
- Massive 5-inch caster wheels
- Wider deck for all-day comfort
- 401 pound carrying capacity
Cons
- Lumbar support may not be right for everyone
- Smaller/shorter mechanics may feel this model is a bit difficult to steer
- Bigger wheels mean less clearance between the creeper and car/truck frames
3. Pro-Lift C-2036D
Eliminating the need to keep a rolling shop stool and creeper separately, Pro-lift offers the C-2036D, an all-in-one model that converts from creeper to seat and back again with just a few easy adjustments.
One of the first things you notice about this creeper seat is that it has six casters instead of four, making it a smoother riding and more stable platform.
The bed and seat are each well padded with a durable PU-leather/vinyl, and there is some comfortable flex and chunk to the foam underneath.
To convert the creeper into a rolling mechanic seat, just pull the locking pin out and lift up the shoulder rest section/ The whole creeper folds easily into a z-shape, and all you have to do now is pop that locking pin back into place to make it secure.
When you need it to be a creeper again, pop the pin out, grab the shoulder rest and lower it back into place before popping the locking pin back in again.
Best thing about designs like this is that they are simplicity itself, and you don’t have to worry about equipment failure or accidents due to shoddy design.
Best of all, with six casters, this model can turn some pretty tight corners and slide in and out of even the tightest spaces with ease. I’d recommend the Prolift C-2036D for any mechanic that wants a good quality creeper but regularly needs a shop seat for some jobs around the garage.
Pros
- Easily transforms from a creeper into a shop seat
- Six casters offers greater mobility in tight spaces
- Locking pin system keeps seat and creeper modes sturdy and secure.
Cons
- Crossbars under padding can create pinch points/discomfort with extended use
- Seat is padded but uncomfortable for extended periods of time
- Security pins can take some practice when converting between creeper mode and seat mode.
4. Omega 91000 Foldable Z Creeper
A limousine among compact cars, the Omega 9100 40” Foldable Z Creeper offers a premium creeper experience with a premium mechanics stool experience to boot.
Omega has not skimped on the padding or support for this creeper, and its six high quality casters are secured to a square pipe frame for optimal stability and security. The deck itself has some of the thickest padding I’ve ever seen on a creeper, and it offers a smooth, comfortable all day ride that doesn’t get hung up on gratings, cracked concrete, or power cables.
The way the deck rests on the frame I was initially concerned about pinch points developing over time, but even after hours of use I’m not finding any uncomfortable pressure points starting to form.
Probably the best feature though is the 40” overall length. Many Z fold creepers on the market have a marked tendency to be shorter, or if they are longer they tend to be uncomfortably long.
I found the balance for the seat pad and deck to be just right, and I never felt like my weight was balanced too much toward my shoulders or too far down towards my hips. That can make your creeper mighty uncomfortable mighty fast if you are on it all day long.
The best benefit of all to this creeper though is the fact that the seat in the folded z-position is every bit as comfortable as the creeper itself.
There’s also not locking pin to pop in or out either, just a locking latch that is easy to shift with one hand.
I’d recommend this creeper for any mechanic who doesn’t want to compromise on comfort or quality for their rolling seat in the shop, or in their creeper for getting under cars and trucks.
Pros
- Tool-less transformation in mere seconds
- Extra-thick padding for all day long comfort
- Sturdy square steel frame with six casters for exceptional mobility
Cons
- Seat mode rolls on only 4 casters instead of six
- Dirty casters can get debris on the creeper deck when in folded z-position
- Latching security for seat mode can take a little getting used to
5. Torin TR6452
When all you really need is a creeper, having options for comfort and convenience matters. After all, not all creepers are created equal, and a bad or uncomfortable creeper that doesn’t have the features you need or any extras you want is going to be a burden and an expense, not a useful tool to help you get your job done right the first time.
You also need to consider how you are going to prevent fatigue, especially if you have a backlog of work and you are going to be spending some extra time rolling around the shop floor working on car and truck repairs for long hours at a stretch.
Fortunately, Torin has their TR6452 designed with those extra shifts in mind.
This creeper sports six casters for optimal mobility, and an adjustable four position headrest to reduce strain on your upper back and neck while you work.
That way, if you need to get up close and person with something underneath a vehicle, you can suspend your head there without needing to take breaks in order to prevent neck strain. Another added benefit is less fatigue at the end of the day, too, and that is worth every penny you spend to add comfort to your worklife.
The padding is thick, the cover is tough, and this creeper has a 4-position headrest to make life underneath a car easier and better. There’s a lot to love about this model, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a high quality creeper that is both comfortable, and has the added benefit of reducing fatigue and the risk of neck strain.
Pros
- 4-position headrest reduces strain on your neck and back while working
- Six casters means excellent mobility even in small spaces
- Extra thick padding and all-steel construction mean quality, comfort, and durability
Cons
- Neck rest positions not a great fit for every user
- Crossbars on deck frame can create pressure points
- Headrest locking mechanism can be awkward to operate for left-handed dominant people
Final Verdict
After compairing what each creeper offers for the money, my final choice is the Omega 91000. Foldable, both a seat and a creeper, nice padding, really resistent, well made… even the price is sweet.
And of course, if you’re a conscious buyer and need a super-tough creeper, the Bone is the perfect choice.
This was my review of the best mechanics creepers!
Got questions? Leave a comment below!