How tall are 8' and 10' step ladders really?

[spotco2]

The bottoms of my trusses in my building are 9'-8" from the floor. I have put a floor over some of the trusses (2x4) for light storage and my 6' ladder is not tall enough. I have a 12' step ladder that works, but is huge and to tall to move around without folding it up and laying it down.

I need something that I can use to get up there easily. I know a 6' step ladder is really only 5'-9" to the top. How tall are 8' and 10' ladders from the top to the floor when they are standing?

 

[Stuart in MN]

I looked at the Home Depot website and they say their 10' stepladders are 120" tall, the 8' ladders are 96" and the 6' stepladders are 72". Just call up a particular ladder and then click on the specifications button.

 

[jakemac]

Those measurements are of the ladder when it's folded up for storage. The OP is asking about the opened/in-use height, which would be shorter.
A+B=C (Pythagoras was a head-case)

I don't have an 8' stepladder, so I can't answer the question. But I'd say that with 9'-8" of clearance, the 8 is what you're looking for.

 

[fivespdcat]

Ladders generally assume the reach of a "normal" male. That would mean the actual height of a 10' ladder is closer to 8'.

For example the Werner 10' step ladder is 7' 8". You can see whatever you want at the Werner homepage.

 

[rick carpenter]

Sorry, I don't know how tall a 10-footer is at standing height, but you might want to consider 10' rather than 8' if it you could move it around easily enough. If you are reaching up between the trusses to get to the stored stuff on top of them, the extra height might be more comfortable holding on to.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Those measurements are of the ladder when it's folded up for storage. The OP is asking about the opened/in-use height, which would be shorter.
A+B=C (Pythagoras was a head-case)

I don't have an 8' stepladder, so I can't answer the question. But I'd say that with 9'-8" of clearance, the 8 is what you're looking for.

Well it wouldn't be a single triangle because you can't stand on the top. It would be a trapezoid. I don't know (and am too lazy to look up) the formula off hand for trapezoids but you could figure out the actual height by measuring that rung to the ground (vertical measure of the triangle). Depends on the ladder but the measurement should be fairly linear. On a 12 foot it's probably close to 11 feet (between 10.5 and 11) if you're comfortable on the top safest rung, on an 8 it's probably close to 7 (between 6.5 and 7) assuming rungs are a foot apart. That's the height you're standing at, you add your own height to that height to get the max reach. Just estimates.

Kind of a scam because you can't stand on the top platform (unless you have a death wish).

 

[JR 42]

Kind of a scam because you can't stand on the top platform (unless you have a death wish).

Or a healthy disregard for warning stickers, and, you know, a sense of balance.

(Not recommended at work).

JR

 

[Premium08]

There just stickers. I will stand on top if need be, if they didnt want you to stand on the last two steps they shouldn't make them steps

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[srmofo]

I'll measure mine tomorrow.

 

[DWise]

Why not just install a pull down ladder.

 

[spotco2]

I considered a set of pull down stairs, but would need 2 sets (one for each end of the garage) and would really like the ladder instead so I could use it for other things.

I did find a description from Werner that their 8' ladder is 7'-6" to the top when standing.

Still trying to find the height of a 10' without having to go to Home Depot and measure one.

I'm thinking the 8' is going to be the way to go so I can move it around without hitting the lights mounted to the bottom of the trusses.

I'll admit, I'm probably going to be standing on the top of the ladder from time to time. I know that it's tempting fate, but I live life on the edge

 

[188slo50]

I've got 10' ceilings and a Werner 8' ladder the top platform is about 1' from the trusses. I thing a 10' would be to high for what you want to do as it would be a pain to put in place ever time you want to go up in there.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Ya know i never even thought of it or realized that the 8 foot ladder i use doesnt even come near the 8 foot ceiling.

 

[spotco2]

I've got 10' ceilings and a Werner 8' ladder the top platform is about 1' from the trusses. I thing a 10' would be to high for what you want to do as it would be a pain to put in place ever time you want to go up in there.

I think 8' is going to do it.

Thanks

 

[djb2]

Smaller ladders, usually step ladders, are marketed using their overall length -- the length when folded.

Larger ladders are marketed as their "reach". That's how far an average height person can reach when standing on the highest safe rung. That not exactly the height of any part of the ladder: not the overall length, nor the height when propped against a wall. A "22 foot" extension ladder is probably only 20 feet, and 18 feet against a wall.