I GOT a new creeper, product review Post 22 "Griot's Cadillac Creeper" Options

[VaccaRabite]

I hate my creeper, and it is slowly dying.

If I have to spend any time on it, I get up with a rocking headache and sometimes a little sick to my stomach too. The wheels are too small to roll on asphalt, and the creeper still sits pretty high off the ground.

I am looking for a creeper that:
1) won't have me cussing a blue streak with an aching head if I have to be on it for a while

2) has wheels that work on asphalt driveways

3) is actually low to the ground.

4) does not suck.

I eagerly await your replies.

Zach

[VaccaRabite]

My wife gave my our Anniversary present a month early (she got hers a few weeks ago by request, so its all cool).

UPS dropped off the Griots Garage Cadillac Creeper.

As creepers go, it is pretty damn epic.

Product Review:
(IMG:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/3767830758_4be91743b9.jpg)

UPS dropped off the box, and it was large, square, and not creeper sized. I was concerned. The amount of construction that one needs to do for simple things (liek most creepers) is VERY frusterating - and can often take over an hour - or longer when you drop a screw and have to find it our buy a new one before you can use your new toy.

My first smile came when I realized that this creeper was delivered in 6 parts - total. 4 wheels, the body, and the headrest. All of the 6 components were already assembled - no hardware to have to chase! It took maybe 10 minutes to put it all together. Big score for Griots there.

So, it went together nice - but does it WORK?

Ohhhhh yeah.

Ground clearance:
Its about the same as my old crappy creeper, the exception being the headrest which is height adjustable.

Rolling:
It rolls. The dirt and whatnot on my garage floor posed zero problems. It rolls VERY easily. The real test though was my asphalt driveway.

Those who have been to my house have noted that my drive is on a bit of a hill. Not too much, but enough to have caused mishaps in the past (my garage door still has traces of blue paint....).

I lay down on the creeper in the garage and gave myself a good shove out the door. I was quickly rocketing down the slope towards the street. Rolling over leaves, twigs, stones and accelerating. The wheels - the same type that are on inline skates, had zero problems moving (very quickly) over my drive. I put me feet down and stopped without too much more drama, but still a bit surprised at the turn of events.

I'd say rolling around will not be a problem.

Comfort:
You could sleep on it.
I weigh in at #228 and 5'10" it was plenty wide for someone larger then me. There were not pinch points that I could find. The adjustable head rest did an excellent job at supporting my head at various heights and angles. Operation of the head rest was instinctive and one handed while on the creeper. I had been worried about this.

The wheels are way out on the side, so it was impossible for me to tip it over, going side to side no matter how I rolled or squirmed.

It did tent to pitch forward some. The head side wheels are located at shoulder level. With the head rest all the way down, it would lift the rear wheels up a little when pushing with your feet against the ground. If the forward wheels had been located further up the creeper, this could not have happened. Pretty far from a deal breaker, though.

Fit and Finish:
This was the one area where Griots lost points with me. Fit and Finish could have been improved. The first thing I noticed taking it out of the box was that the big Griots logo sticker was not centered in place. Just sloppy placement. The sticker, by design, draws the eye, and is clearly misplaced in its field.

Second, one of the welds had a small hole blown through. I expect this on my welds. It is not structurally unsound. I just have an expectation that welds will be solid on pro-made goods.

These won't affect usage (and if the weld DOES break it will be covered under the lifetime warranty VS defect - so I will deal with it then) but I expected the fit and finish to be a little higher on a $140 creeper.

Zach

[slackin' at work]

wow. thanks for the write up. that was the one I was eying.

I may have to put that on my "anniversary list" as well since that's coming up in a few weeks.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

AND IT'S NOW ON SALE FOR $125!!