Multi Configuration Ladders

[FMC1959]

About of these multi configure ladders (MCL), some under 15ft, others are 25ft or more. I see some good reviews, many above 4 stars, even 4.5. When I click on any of these ladders I have looked at, the average review is 4 or higher, but the negative reviews within this rating, 1 or 2 stars, complain about 2 main things.

One being the weight, especially for max height, hard for one person to setup these ladders up against the side of the house.

The other being safety, many find them wobbly, others say they are not sturdy. The same length, eg...25ft regulars extension ladders, are very sturdy compared to these MCL, is what a couple mentioned. Much easier to handle and put up against a wall, much lighter.

I had been thinking to get one with BF coming up, but now wondering how good they are. I have a 14ft and 18ft extension ladder, and many step ladders. I kind of like these MCL's as a mini scaffold. Like 4ft on each side you climb and 8ft across to work on, I could throw a plank on it to make footing better. How do they hold up in this config?

So all this to ask who has one, how they find the weight and ease of configuring from one setup to the next, the sturdiness compared to regular ladders, Are these swiss army knife's of ladders worth it or not. If you pay higher prices for Little Giant or even higher commercial brands, are they much better or still trying to do too much and nothing all that well.

 

[rlitman]

I think you summed it up. As a two-sided A frame ladder, they're great. As an extension ladder, it's great if you need to fold it up and store it in a van, but its absolutely harder to setup and heavier than a conventional ladder of the same size. And the hinges can make them as bouncy as a magnesium ladder.

 

[WildBill]

I like that I can fit it in a car if needed, and that I can work easier on a slope. Plus use it like scaffolding. But they are heavy and awkward to deal with. Try out the different locking handles, some are much easier to use than others. I like the turn knob type, can't remember who uses those. I just used mine to go over a hedge, on a steep slope, across the corner of a house. No way I could have done what I was doing with a normal ladder. So I have both, and pull out the multi one when needed. But probably only use it about 20% of the time.

 

[zendriver]

I have the "Little Giant" older model.

It's built like a tank, but it's also like actually carrying a tank around.

No use for it other than working around stairs, which is it great for.

 

[whateg01]

Which ladders do you mean? There are ones that extend and fold and others that are just w shaped. I found the latches on the w shaped ladders to be awful. They were finicky and hard to operate and the ladder was heavy for what they are. The ones that extend are versatile and can be used on uneven places like putting the front legs on the porch and the back legs on the ground to get close to the gutters. Yes they are heavy. But I like mine.

 

[dcg9381]

I have one, it's our "go to" for ladders under 14' or so. It's a little heavier than a straight ladder, but folds nicely and takes less space because the legs retract. 50 lbs maybe, so I'm the one that lugs it around... So if you can manage that weight regularly, I recommend. I don't find them to be "less stable" than traditional ladders of the same total length, at least not enough to bother me. I'm over 200 lbs.

 

[whateg01]

I have one, it's our "go to" for ladders under 14' or so. It's a little heavier than a straight ladder, but folds nicely and takes less space because the legs retract. 50 lbs maybe, so I'm the one that lugs it around... So if you can manage that weight regularly, I recommend.

I sometimes use a hand truck if I have to go far.

I don't find them to be "less stable" than traditional ladders of the same total length, at least not enough to bother me. I'm over 200 lbs.

Compared to the old extension ladder my werner feels like I'm standing on solid ground. Compared to a big step ladder I think it's about the same but the step ladder is lighter to move and harder to store

 

[NakeDiesel]

I have the one above mentioned in the aluminum slide together/fold up types that I've owned for many years and use it all over. I also have a newer little giant that will turn into an a frame or a straight up ladder, I don't have an issue with either of them using them in either configuration. The one above you can actually disassemble it and they make a kit to turn it into portable scaffolding. Don't have that bit but was looking at it when I was residing my house.

Granted, I'm 6'4" and 280lbs so a 50lb ladder really isn't much in weight in my world, smaller folk may differ.

 

[rlitman]

Which ladders do you mean? There are ones that extend and fold and others that are just w shaped...

Oh yeah, I wouldn't touch the W shaped ones.

 

[whateg01]

... Like 4ft on each side you climb and 8ft across to work on, I could throw a plank on it to make footing better. How do they hold up in this config?

This comment makes me think you mean the w shaped ladders. The ones with extendable legs can be used like a scaffold if you get the brackets to use the loose extensions as another "ladder" and then place a platform between them. They don't have a section that you can fold flat though.

 

[captain14]

I have 2 of the gorilla brand ladder along with the step platform and the leg leveler.

They are certainly heavier. Easy to throw in truck for transport.

Amazon had a LittleGiant wheel kits you can attach to the base to make it easier to move. I bought a pair for both of mi ladders.

First choice is a regular ladder if possible.

I will add that I bought both of mine at HD, one on a BF deal with several attachments and the other one was on clearance.

 

[dscheidt]

I have one (a werner, I think), claimed 21' or 22'. It's great as a tall step ladder, and it's tall enough I can get on my roof, but it's still small enough to be portable, and easy to store. It weighs somewhere around 40 or 50 pounds. that's not a huge weight to me, but it's pretty awkward, particularly when fully extended. It's much harder to move over a few feet than a conventional extension ladder. We also have 4', 6', and 8' fiberglass step ladders, and I will absolutely use one of those if I can, rather than the folding one.


Besides the small size when stored, they have a couple of other very useful features. One is the sides can be different heights, so you can work on stairs or the like. For some users, that's worth the price of admission. The other is that most of them are rated to have both sides in use at the same time. So a helper can be on the same ladder holding something while you fasten it or whatever.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have the Werner version of a Little Giant, equal to about an 8' step ladder when collapsed, I don't know or care how tall when stretched out and I hate it. I've had it for about 12 or 13 years and have used it a total of four times that I remember; I have 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12' fiberglass step ladders for normal ladder work. Unfortunately, it's about the only thing that will work on stairs and that's all I use it for. It's heavy, hard to set up, harder to take down when extended, and a good way to lose a finger or five if you're not paying attention. If I would've known what a pain it was I never would have bought it. I will say setting it up is 10X easier with help but that's something I rarely, if ever, have.

 

[RTM]

Dad got one of the early ones, I hated that damn thing. The locks were treacherous, the weight was high, dad rarely used anything besides A frame or straight ladder, never the scaffolding or stair mode.
Will never buy one.

 

[loganb]

I have I think the 22' Little giant, them a slightly shorter version from someone else...picked up at Home Depot on Black Friday sales. If I can, I grab the non little giant one as it's significantly lighter and easier to move around. The little giant one is well made, feels sturdy, but is heavy and can be awkward when attempting to fully extend it.

For homeowners or people who need a ladder occasionally in a service role so have to carry it all the time I think they're great. For people who use ladders constantly...ladder racks and dedicated extension ladders are the way to go in my book

 

[strength_and_power]

My GF has a little giant and spoke highly of it. I bought a 6’ fiberglass ladder on a Black Friday sale and had it delivered to her house. She started using it because it was light and I bought a second 6’er.

On vault builds, we had a little giant because it could fit in the job box. Aside from it being heavy, I noticed if I extended it to 6’ , I was standing on just a single rung and not doubled up, my feet would be screaming by the end of the day.

I see there place but not being a fan of extension ladders, I’d pass on owning a little giant for the house

 

[Shiftless]

I bought the early model of Little Giant from Costco after seeing it demonstrated by a factory rep there in the store. I balked at the price and he told me to come by late Sunday when he was packing up to leave. He’d rather sell it at a discount than take it back with him. He gave me $100 off, I got a basically brand new ladder. Mine is the size that makes a 9 foot a frame ladder.
Like others above, I use it on stairs. Also good for getting up close to a vertical wall. Make one leg straight up and the other leg longer to get an angle to clImb up.
When use like a regular step ladder, the weight and rigidity makes it feel super solid and safe.
But I have to say that I use my standard 6 foot fiberglass step ladder more.

 

[zimman]

I got a 17' Franklin from Wally's World. Cost less than the Little Giant and does about the same thing. It's heavy but I like it.
Zim

 

[Dagny]

I dont like their steps make my feet hurt.

 

[driftpin]

I was standing on just a single rung and not doubled up, my feet would be screaming by the end of the day.

Yes the #1 complaint I have. I'll use an extension ladder or an A-frame before the Gorilla. I've never used the scaffolding/A-frame configuration other than 1 time.

 

[scooby074]

I have an OG Little Giant and concur about its weight and toughness. Weighs a ton but very tough and useful

 

[rharman]

I've had a Little Giant for over 30 years. I think it's a 23' (extended length).

• As others have said, it's great for stairs.
• Also great for trimming some tall hedges as you can adjust the extensions to "lean in" closer to the hedge. Picture the "far" leg almost vertical and the leg you climb on to be inclined.
• As an extension ladder, I'd say it's OK at short/medium height but, at full extension, it gives me the willies.
• Also, it is a ROYAL pain to stand up when using it as an extension ladder. Really heavy and awkward.
• Yes, the rungs can be uncomfortable. They make a platform that hangs off the rungs and that helps a lot.
• I bought the scaffold plank but I don't think I've ever used it all these years.
• I added the wheel kit when they first came out. It's great.

 

[GeoBruin]

I dont like their steps make my feet hurt.

You have to wear shoes!

 

[Shiftless]

I dont like their steps make my feet hurt.

You have to wear shoes!

True! and maybe not leisure shoes but real shoes with a solid sole like work boots.

I have 3 of these work platforms that attach to the rungs of my little giant. You can stand on them and/or use them for a place to lay down tools or hold a bucket while you are working on that ladder.

They are engineered so that you can kick them and make them slide in close to the ladder but not fall to the ground. That way you can descend the ladder safely and not crawl around a big ol’ step platform.

 

[cgrutt]

I have the Werner version posted above. It does A and straight. I think you can separate and use a plank across the two A sections to form sort of scaffolding but I never did that and it doesnt fold into a scaffold shape alone. If I could only have one ladder I'd pick this without a doubt but I have several other fiberglass ladders and prefer to use them at home. The Werner is excellent to move from site to site because it fits in back of my truck. That's the biggest benefit IMO. Its much heavier than the fiberglass ladders so ***** to move around but it has a very wide stance and is rock solid, even when fully extended 22' IIRC. Its rated for 375 lbs which is much higher than my other ladders. Its also pretty comfortable using as an A frame, esp when standing across two rungs at a time. Kind of a pain to change configuration but once set its great.

 

[Aaron_W]

If we are talking about the Little Giant A frame ladders, I think they are great for their purpose. I used Little Giants as a utility ladder at the fire department, and I've got a Warner clone at home.

An A frame ladder is a different thing than a step ladder. It does some things better, and some not quite as well.
You can have somebody working from both sides of the ladder, where a step ladder is one sided. You also have more options for positioning yourself on an A frame vs a step ladder because of the separately adjustable sides.

It can be used as a straight ladder, but is generally not as good as a proper straight ladder or extension ladder. I have a 28 foot extension ladder so rarely use mine that way. Fully extended the hinge does make it wobbly. Kept folded it makes a decent if heavy straight ladder when I need something shorter than my extension ladder collapsed.

Working indoors they are far superior to almost anything else. They are fantastic for working on a ceiling in the middle of a room, say sprinkler heads, smoke detectors or a light fixture. I think mine goes to 14 feet in the A frame configuration and 22 or 24 feet as a straight ladder. All closed up it is less than 6 feet long. A straight ladder is terrible indoors, and a conventional 12-14 foot step ladder would also be a pain to maneuver inside a building.

They are heavier than a similarly sized step or straight ladder.

On the weight issue, Little Giant style ladders are typically rated for a 300 or 375lb working load. A lot of lightweight ladders, step or straight are only rated to 200 or 250lbs. Compared to a heavy duty ladder with similar weight capacity the weight isn't so bad.
The extension feature also adds weight.

If you need one they are great, but they are a compromise design that does a lot of things ok, but only a few things better than other types.

 

[MushCreek]

I have a Werner, and it is a heavy thing. I have a question- is there a way to lubricate it so it slides easier when extending it? Aluminum on aluminum does not slide well.

 

[Hakeem]

If you can only have one ladder, a multi configuration ladder is the best choice. But if you have multiple ladders, the multi configuration ladder is the last one you’ll pick.

I drive around with a Little Giant for maintaining my properties and it’s been exceptional at filling whatever use for a ladder comes up. But I always hate having to pull it out and use it because it’s so damn heavy. A nice aluminum stepladder or extension ladder is like a feather in comparison, but try fitting those in a clapped out minivan…

 

[willf650]

They **** except for specific use cases. They are heavy and hurt my feet.

Where we use them and they are great is in penthouse mechanical rooms on high rise roofs. It ***** getting a 10-12’ ladder up to the roof as they won’t fit in an elevator and it ***** having to carry them up 10+ flights of stairs were you have to stand the ladder up in every corner. These ladders will fold small enough to fit in an elevator and will set up to be a 12’ ladder. It does take two guys to move them around.

The other place they excel is if you need to pop and extension ladder up through a drop ceiling.

If you can use a step ladder they are much nicer to use and work off of. Lighter to move even in the 1A rating and more comfortable to stand on.

 

[captain14]

True! and maybe not leisure shoes but real shoes with a solid sole like work boots.

I have 3 of these work platforms that attach to the rungs of my little giant. You can stand on them and/or use them for a place to lay down tools or hold a bucket while you are working on that ladder.

They are engineered so that you can kick them and make them slide in close to the ladder but not fall to the ground. That way you can descend the ladder safely and not crawl around a big ol’ step platform.

I have 2 of these and use them as both a work shelf and standing platform. They fit on my step ladder and makes it more comfortable when painting, etc.

 

[FMC1959]

What I gather from the many responses (thanks), Some hate them to very good for specific jobs (stairs, fitting in a truck, can climb both sides), but nobody seems to love them. A few did say if you could only have one ladder, this is the one. But most say they would always grab a regular step, extension or A frame ladder when possible.

I will be 67 in 3 months and have some medical issues. I have lost my balance partially on ladders for years, but always catch myself. Not wanting to wait for when I do fall, I have been looking a lot at, and bought both a 3 & 5 step platform (or podium) step ladder. You can go up to the top step, which is wide (platform), and has rails that extend to about belt level when on the top step.

I have one that is similar to this one for stairs

2700 Series Industrial Duty Multi-Way Ladders - 2706

MPN: 2706 Easily converts and locks securely and safely into all positions Durable extruded aluminum rails and slip resistant serrated steps and rungs Fixed ...

cobaltindustrial.ca

I was thinking these multi-config ladders would be a nice addition, but most of what I have read (here and many reviews) has convinced me to not get one. Like a Leatherman, if you are remote and have nothing but one tool with you, a Leatherman is great. But I am not gouing drive screws, cut or use the pliers when I have the actual tool nearby.

 

[Shiftless]

My Little Giant is WAY overqualified for reaching up to refill the hummingbird feeder.

 

[kngelv]

They are great for steps and other things inside and occassionally outside. I have a single story attached garage and family room while the rest of the hose is two stories. It was perfect for accessing the side vents of the house because you can have legs on both side of the garage roof peak. It is heavy and a little awkward. I have a Little Giant. I'm not much for cheap brands when it comes to ladders. I much prefer A-Frame and extension ladders.

James

 

[rharman]

What I gather from the many responses (thanks), Some hate them to very good for specific jobs (stairs, fitting in a truck, can climb both sides), but nobody seems to love them. A few did say if you could only have one ladder, this is the one. But most say they would always grab a regular step, extension or A frame ladder when possible.

I will be 67 in 3 months and have some medical issues. I have lost my balance partially on ladders for years, but always catch myself. Not wanting to wait for when I do fall, I have been looking a lot at, and bought both a 3 & 5 step platform (or podium) step ladder. You can go up to the top step, which is wide (platform), and has rails that extend to about belt level when on the top step.

I have one that is similar to this one for stairs

2700 Series Industrial Duty Multi-Way Ladders - 2706

MPN: 2706 Easily converts and locks securely and safely into all positions Durable extruded aluminum rails and slip resistant serrated steps and rungs Fixed ...

cobaltindustrial.ca

I was thinking these multi-config ladders would be a nice addition, but most of what I have read (here and many reviews) has convinced me to not get one. Like a Leatherman, if you are remote and have nothing but one tool with you, a Leatherman is great. But I am not gouing drive screws, cut or use the pliers when I have the actual tool nearby.

Given your balance issues and ladder weight, I think you've made the right decision.

I just turned 70 and definitely am a LOT more cautious on ladders. The platform, as shown in @Shiftless' post, helps but it's always felt a bit "iffy" stepping over it to either kick it into position or stepping over it on the way down (after you kick it up against the steps/rails). Once you're on it though, it's great.

For low stuff, I have this 3-step Little Giant. Comes in a 2,3, or 4 step version. This is rock solid. This pic is after I replaced the cracked plastic step covers with cuttings from an outdoor door mat.

 

[betulauber]

I have a Little Giant with a leg leveler and two work platforms, I think model 26 from around 2005.

It’s a nice study A-frame but super heavy. I kind of have to walk it up by alternating a couple of rungs on each side to get it fully extended. I have 12’ cathedral ceilings and think it's great for tasks where your in one location for a while, like hanging a ceiling fan or something, but kind of a pain to move around a room fully extended for painting. I’ve barked my shin on it a few times. I hate it as a straight ladder, I’d prefer a fiberglass ladder.

I don’t need it very often so I've keep it around, but if I did I would probably sell it and get something else.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have a little giant 22 foot at home and a Werner 17 foot at my shop. I really like the versatility of that kind of ladder. The Little giant seems a bit more well built.

Light weight is not a feature. Unless you are pretty strong, the 17 foot is about as big as the typical person can handle.

I also have the 4 step version of the Little Giant folding stool. I love it - very sturdy it's almost like walking up stairs.

 

[seber]

Really, some are sturdier than extension ladders and some are just plain scary. First clue is weight. The ones that are solid weigh a ton. I have one that is a compromise. Since my tallest use is only fifteen feet, that works well for me.

 

[tiredoldironworker]

I have had the BIGBOY little giant that is 6.5 feet collapsed for about 20 years. Yes it's VERY heavy but I will not trust my life to anything lesser. One has to admit that when the company adds wheels to a ladder they know it's worth it.

 

[CJM8515]

i need a ladder at work as I often look at RV's and camper trailers and need to see the roof. i must use my little giant ladder 5x a week and Im 225lbs and its fine, never an issue. it also doesnt seem any heavier than extension ladder.

 

[LNKMK8]

I think they are great for use on or around steps... other than that, I think there are better ladder choices. They are heavy. I bought on at Home Depot on a BF deal years ago and have yet to actually use it. It would have been helpful when I was repainting the interior of our house, which is why I bought it. I use my 4' fiberglass more than anything around the house.