GophersGarage
Well-known member
I see they come in 2 sizes (12' and 15')
Do Telescopic ladders work well? I was thinking to get the Metaltech version
- Thread starter GophersGarage
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I see they come in 2 sizes (12' and 15')
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I have one for the 5th wheel, very sturdy, a little pricey but it stores almost anywhere.
scooby074
Well-known member
I saw a rather large home inspector use one he kept in his trunk and I was impressed. I figured it would have had a comedy ending instead
I have this style. It's been a workhorse around the house for at least 10 years. I paid half as much, on sale.
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
That's the idea of having a compact version to bring in the truck if needed etc. I do have standard ladders but wanted one thats compact.
GaryM909
Well-known member
My son uses a company supplied one for work. I am not sure of the make but I know it would be name brand.
He is 6'2" and about 230 pounds. He never has a problem with it.
He is 6'2" and about 230 pounds. He never has a problem with it.
I use the ladder in question in a commercial setting. It's pushing three years old.
Overall I like it but here are a few things to be aware of...
1. If you're using it around glues, paints, and any chemicals that will harden or turn gummy, eventually you will start having issues with the ladder retracting.
2. Pay CLOSE attention to the locks at each rung. I've been in a hurry a few times and discovered halfway up the ladder that one side of one rung didn't fully engage. You won't typically fall, but it gets very unnerving.
3. They dent fairly easily. You don't have to be gentle, but definitely don't toss it around and be careful toss it inna truck or toolbox around other hard metal items. Very Small dings won't affect it, but it won't take much on one of the tubes to start causing problems.
4. I'm 215lbs and fully extended, and standing near the top, I definitely get to experience a LOT of flex. I like this ladder the most when the top 2-3 rings are still nested together (not extended) because that is where most of the flex happens.
Overall I like it but here are a few things to be aware of...
1. If you're using it around glues, paints, and any chemicals that will harden or turn gummy, eventually you will start having issues with the ladder retracting.
2. Pay CLOSE attention to the locks at each rung. I've been in a hurry a few times and discovered halfway up the ladder that one side of one rung didn't fully engage. You won't typically fall, but it gets very unnerving.
3. They dent fairly easily. You don't have to be gentle, but definitely don't toss it around and be careful toss it inna truck or toolbox around other hard metal items. Very Small dings won't affect it, but it won't take much on one of the tubes to start causing problems.
4. I'm 215lbs and fully extended, and standing near the top, I definitely get to experience a LOT of flex. I like this ladder the most when the top 2-3 rings are still nested together (not extended) because that is where most of the flex happens.
signcrafter
Well-known member
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- May 9, 2012
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460 dollars for a 12 foot ladder? You are sure paying a premium for the compactness I guess.
Ive got a cheap one from Amazon I use about 4x a year getting in the attic. Its better that trying to wrestle a regular ladder through the house, upstairs and down a narrow hallway. Bonus points it stores in the linen closet. Its not super sturdy but its no worse than any other average homeowner grade ladder. Definitely not something I'd want on my service truck for daily use.
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
is there a brand to look for or are they all just the same with different labels
the Metaltech version in 15feet is 550 bucks vs others on amazon are 200
the Metaltech version in 15feet is 550 bucks vs others on amazon are 200
neophyte
Well-known member
There are a bunch of different manufacturers, judging by differences in the locking mechanisms.is there a brand to look for or are they all just the same with different labels
the Metaltech version in 15feet is 550 bucks vs others on amazon are 200
whateg01
Well-known member
Might be a bugs bunny episode like that, or should be
whateg01
Well-known member
"Typically"...
Drill Sergeant Arc
Well-known member
I install commercial electrical advertising signs and our company bought one of those original ladders for the sales department. I had an electric sign we installed on a 3' square column that housed inside its steel and granite exterior structure a massive vertical I-beam support for the main building structure. Well, the electrician who ran the circuit to the top opening and everyone else involved in the project could see that the steel stud framing that held the exterior granite was just inches away from the main column in the center and there was absolutely no way someone could fit into that space let alone climb halfway down inside that 20' plus tall column to run the primary out into the sign. I had borrowed that ladder though, and was able to put it across in between two studs on opposite sides of a corner and then lowered it, in a bottom first fashion, and tied it off using the pass-throughs in the framing. I then squeezed in into the corner space myself and disappeared down the hole. Old sparky almost **** his pants.
I have an Xtend & Climb Contractor Series 155+/300. It was an expensive ladder (given the competition), but I do think it was worth the price, given its versatility.
I find the main advantage of the ladder is its portability. I can easily bring it upstairs without accidentally smashing my delicate sheetrock with an ill-timed turn. I can use it to access my attic, and also use it to climb onto my garage roof. I can put a 15 foot ladder in the backseat or trunk of a subcompact car. This means that I can buy one ladder to use in multiple places, as opposed to buying multiple ladders that I have to store at each property.
The Xtend & Climb's unlatching system is actually very well designed. It has several redundant mechanisms that are intended to prevent you from smashing your fingers when lowering the ladder. This becomes more of an issue when you are lowering all but the bottom three or four rungs. You still have to be a bit careful, but if you understand how the mechanism works, you can appreciate the design.
Reliability is very good as well. It just works. I weigh 185 lbs and I've never had an issue with flex in the ladder.
The main downside to the telescoping ladder in general, in my opinion, is that it seems slightly easier than a standard adjustable ladder to kick out at the top. This is merely from my own observation, but I believe it is because as you extend the ladder, the weight of the top of the ladder is not as high as the bottom of the ladder. The tubing is smaller at the top, so it just weighs less.
This isn't a big deal as it's pretty easy to account for with use, but it is something different from a standard ladder, which has fairly uniform weight all along its length.
The flip side of this, is that it's "easier" to move the ladder around when fully extended than a standard ladder. This is because the telescoping ladder has a lower center of gravity.
The other downside of the telescoping ladder is that you can't find them in very long lengths. If you need something to climb onto the roof of a two story home, it's unlikely that a telescoping ladder can meet that need.
I also have never seen stabilizer arms at the top for telescoping ladders, which is a bit of a bummer.
I find the main advantage of the ladder is its portability. I can easily bring it upstairs without accidentally smashing my delicate sheetrock with an ill-timed turn. I can use it to access my attic, and also use it to climb onto my garage roof. I can put a 15 foot ladder in the backseat or trunk of a subcompact car. This means that I can buy one ladder to use in multiple places, as opposed to buying multiple ladders that I have to store at each property.
The Xtend & Climb's unlatching system is actually very well designed. It has several redundant mechanisms that are intended to prevent you from smashing your fingers when lowering the ladder. This becomes more of an issue when you are lowering all but the bottom three or four rungs. You still have to be a bit careful, but if you understand how the mechanism works, you can appreciate the design.
Reliability is very good as well. It just works. I weigh 185 lbs and I've never had an issue with flex in the ladder.
The main downside to the telescoping ladder in general, in my opinion, is that it seems slightly easier than a standard adjustable ladder to kick out at the top. This is merely from my own observation, but I believe it is because as you extend the ladder, the weight of the top of the ladder is not as high as the bottom of the ladder. The tubing is smaller at the top, so it just weighs less.
This isn't a big deal as it's pretty easy to account for with use, but it is something different from a standard ladder, which has fairly uniform weight all along its length.
The flip side of this, is that it's "easier" to move the ladder around when fully extended than a standard ladder. This is because the telescoping ladder has a lower center of gravity.
The other downside of the telescoping ladder is that you can't find them in very long lengths. If you need something to climb onto the roof of a two story home, it's unlikely that a telescoping ladder can meet that need.
I also have never seen stabilizer arms at the top for telescoping ladders, which is a bit of a bummer.
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sparkness
Well-known member
Little giant - love em or hate em, I like them, used them since the 80's they are a bit heavy but very versatile. good to 300 lbs I currently have the 4 footer goes to 16 ft. the 3 footer goes to 12 ft - not too heavy, the 5 footer is extremly heavy for my taste.
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
That was one of the brands that actually has a website and also ANSI certified. vs others have no safety standards. But boy are they expensive
That company has 3 series
Home, Pro and Contractor
I really don't know what the difference is from Pro to Contractor.
780P+ 12.5 Ft Industrial Telescoping Extension Ladder | Xtend+Climb Telescoping Ladders | Xtend+Climb Telescoping Ladders
Xtend+Climb® 780P+ 12.5 ft. telescoping industrial ladder with 300 lb. load capacity, designed for commercial and industrial use, perfect for any contractor.
The link I shared is the Pro version that I was thinking about . its roughly $150-200 price difference then Contractor.
Either way in Canada I am looking at a $1200 with tax investment
But if I know it is going to give me long time of safe use I don't mind to spend. At this time I do not have enough info on them just yet.
I have 2 of the xtend & climb pro ladders. One is 12.5ft. and the other is 16ft. I use them all the time in my inspection business. Just keep them clean. I do notice they can slide easily if you put them against a gutter. I always try to tie them off.
The main difference between the pro and the contractor are that the contractor's come with black anodized steps with an extra "lip" at the front that provides more step surface. The pros have the standard aluminum colored step.
The Pro's come in a 12.5' / 300lb and a 15.5' / 250 lb version.
The Contractor has a 12.5' / 300lb and a 15.5' / 300 lb version. The Contractor also has a 16.5'/250lb which gives you an extra foot over the Pro.
Not sure if there's any other differences. The equivalent contractor version of the 12.5' / 300 is 2 lbs heavier than the pro version of the 12.5' / 300, so I'm not sure if the larger steps account for that extra weight, or perhaps the contractor version is just a little beefier all around despite both ladders having the same ANSI rating.
The Pro's come in a 12.5' / 300lb and a 15.5' / 250 lb version.
The Contractor has a 12.5' / 300lb and a 15.5' / 300 lb version. The Contractor also has a 16.5'/250lb which gives you an extra foot over the Pro.
Not sure if there's any other differences. The equivalent contractor version of the 12.5' / 300 is 2 lbs heavier than the pro version of the 12.5' / 300, so I'm not sure if the larger steps account for that extra weight, or perhaps the contractor version is just a little beefier all around despite both ladders having the same ANSI rating.
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
Thank you for taking the time to explain. I contacted the company it’s been a few days and no reply. Hate supporting companies like this.
I just bought the Rikade 20’ new version with hooks on Amazon for $228 with discount coupon. The portability should be helpful to me since I generally drive a car not an SUV or truck or van and have a few properties. I have several of the Little Giant or Werner folding ladders and they are also useful but bulkier. The Rikade does 330 lbs and is pretty highly rated. There are cheaper versions but I passed on those.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFB9KHMK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFB9KHMK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
I saw that brand too but without any safety certificates I don’t trust their claims. I don’t mind to spend on top quality.
No problem. I don't really have a problem supporting these companies. It's just difficult to find information about the product.
In the questions there was some mention of a standard but I did not pay close attention. Some people buy car lifts that don’t have certification.
danski0224
Well-known member
If it will fit between the sides, look at a Ladder Max.
No more leaning on gutters.
As an inspector, and having seen how flimsy some (most?) gutters are, you should know better than to trust one as a ladder leaning point.
I won't go on a roof without a Ladder Max.
I also have the Ladder Max. The majority of my inspections are commercial. The gutters are not usually the thin gage that are on houses. Note that even the ladder Max can slide when you transition to the roof. I always try and tie off.