A creeper is a low-profile tool used to help a person more easily slide in and out of
confined space
A confined space is a space with limited entry and egress and not suitable for human inhabitants. An example is the interior of a storage tank, occasionally entered by maintenance workers but not intended for human occupancy. Hazards in a confined ...
s, such as the underside of a car, for performing
inspection or
maintenance
Maintenance may refer to:
Biological science
* Maintenance of an organism
* Maintenance respiration
Non-technical maintenance
* Alimony, also called ''maintenance'' in British English
* Champerty and maintenance, two related legal doct ...
. Other names for such devices include car creeper, garage creeper and mechanic creeper. They are built with a low profile to reduce the amount of added height above the ground, thereby providing as much clearance as possible for the person lying on it.
It is usually a
wheeled platform constructed using a stiff frame and wheels. Some also have ergonomic shapes or cutout for the arms and shoulders providing extra room to make it easier to work in the confined space. Other types of creepers include specially designed
mats (creeper mats), and there are also various improvised solutions such as lying on
cardboard
Cardboard is a generic term for heavy paper-based products. The construction can range from a thick paper known as paperboard to corrugated fiberboard which is made of multiple plies of material. Natural cardboards can range from grey to light ...
. The alternative to using a creeper is often lying directly on the ground, which gives added clearance, but can make it more difficult to get in and out due to
friction
Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction:
*Dry friction is a force that opposes the relative lateral motion of t ...
against the ground.
Some creepers have dual-uses, such as being able to be folded to make a
chair
A chair is a type of seat, typically designed for one person and consisting of one or more legs, a flat or slightly angled seat and a back-rest. They may be made of wood, metal, or synthetic materials, and may be padded or upholstered in vario ...
or a
stool, or for compact storage. Some also have the ability to recline the headrest somewhat while in the lying position.
Things You Need to Know About Mechanics Creepers - Industry Today
/ref>
File:The Road Side Mechanic.jpg, Mechanic lying on a mat.
File:Mechanic mechanik.jpg, Mechanic lying on the ground.
See also
* Car jack
* Engine crane
* Engine stand
* Ground clearance
Ride height or ground clearance is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tire and the lowest point of the automobile (typically the axle); or, more properly, to the shortest distance between a flat, level surface, and the lowest p ...
* Trolleys as tools
References
Automotive tools
{{tool-stub