If you don’t have a lift and rely on ramps or a floor jack like most home mechanics do, you’ve probably spent a lot of time on your back swearing at stuck bolts under while enjoying all the cold comfort a concrete garage floor has to offer.
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tools out there to make working on your car a little easier — from work lights and garage heaters to screwdrivers and torque wrenches — so there’s no reason you have to lay on the floor! One of the most useful products is the mechanics’ creeper.
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So, welcome to the wonderful world of mechanics’ creepers. There are creeper models for every budget and I guarantee you that even the worst is better than an oily piece of cardboard. I’ve tested a bunch and here are my favorites.
Best mechanic’s creeper overall
Creepex
While not quite as posh as its Pro counterpart below, the $70 savings here with the Creepex FastBack makes it the best choice overall. Lay yourself down in this mechanic’s creeper and you’re not only comfortable and relaxed, but you have unparalleled stability. The three-wheel design means you can only move in one direction or rotate, which takes a little getting used to. But, it means you can lean on that stuck bolt without sending yourself flying across the garage floor. The big caster wheels for easy movement also cruise over cracks and air hoses, while you can choose two ride heights to ensure your ground clearance is as low as possible. And this plastic creeper has a heavy-duty 500-pound weight capacity. When you’re through, an optional wall mount keeps this thing out of the way.
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