Question on extension ladders ....

[cvcman]

I need a 28ft extension ladder for my pole barn...I want an aluminum one for weight reasons...Ace Hardware has a TYPE 3 for 169.00
I wont be using it that much and I weigh about 150 pounds...
I need it to change bulbs, clean gutters etc so probably wont use it more than once a year...
Is this a safe enough ladder being TYPE 3 ??

 

[signcrafter]

Personally I wouldn't climb 28' on a ladder type 3 ladder. Mine is a fiberglass 1a and fully extended it can still have flex in it. I won't even go on those flimsy 6' aluminum step ladders. Guess it all depends on how much you value your life.

 

[cvcman]

Well it IS a 28 ft ladder BUT I’m not going up 28ft I’m going up about 16 ft but I borrowed my neighbors 28 ft aluminum and liked the fact that because I didn’t have it extended that far it didn’t flex much

 

[rlitman]

Personally I wouldn't climb 28' on a ladder type 3 ladder. Mine is a fiberglass 1a and fully extended it can still have flex in it. I won't even go on those flimsy 6' aluminum step ladders. Guess it all depends on how much you value your life.

I don't like springy ladders either. Also, a 28' ladder can only reach a 21' roof line:
https://us.wernerco.com/support/how-to-choose-a-ladder/ladder-height

As for going up 16', yeah, that's reasonable. FYI, a magnesium ladder is even lighter, though springier. Still, I'd sooner choose a magnesium type II over an aluminum type III.

 

[Lettusbee]

A fiberglass 28 footer is a heavy handful for one guy inside a pole barn.
I think your plan is solid. My lights in my pole barn are at 14', and I use my 24 ft FG Ladder for that work.
Even that's a chore to move around inside the shop without hitting innocent tools.

 

[jacric2005]

My brother and I split the cost of about a 24'-er fiberglass extension ladder. I was concerned about (1) aluminum hitting electric wires and (2) wanted one that would support a person with a packet of shingles (my brother is 200 pounds). We keep it inside in his shop. I'm a pretty strong woman, but I cannot carry the fiberglass ladder by myself. Once in place it is super safe and stable. But I'm thinking of getting a good aluminum ladder, not for the real tall stuff (I have a pole barn, too).

 

[Kaizen]

Yes it will be fine. Just don’t have a big guy climbing it fully extended with a bundle of shingles.
I have both aluminum and fiberglass. I will grab the aluminum one for basic stuff like changing light bulbs or other ten minute projects. The fiberglass Werner 24 foot is a bear to handle but with a stabilizer I can work at height safely and without a lot of thought about the ladder.
Don’t get round rungs. They hurt quickly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tarmy]

I have both aluminum and fiberglass...and I hate my fiberglass 32 footer...too heavy.

But, If I am going to be over 10’ Off the ground I always grab it...because if you have ever fallen off a ladder from above 10’ And survived...you will always buy the best, most stable and safest tool for the job. I only own 1A rated, 300lbs. Ladders...even the short ones.

Do yourself a favor, your life is on the line. Get a good ladder...

 

[ddawg16]

I hate heights...……...I'll spend the money for a good one

 

[beamrider]

https://us.wernerco.com/view/D1528-2

I don't like flexy ladders either, and I'm on this one most of the summer. Big difference between this type and a conventional extension ladder. More money, yes. LOT more confidence in the ladder also. I don't get on anything under a 1A 300lb rating anymore, its just not worth it.

 

[JimH74]

I think I have the same that Beamrider linked to. It's a Werner 28ft, 1A, D rung extension ladder. I could have gotten fiberglass at the time, but the paint store I bought it at, said that if I dropped fiberglass in the winter, it could shatter/splinter. I lived in the northern US at that time. I'm a big guy, and I've always felt very safe on this ladder. All my other ladders are 1A also. I think this is another example of buy once, buy safe, and cry once.

 

[B_Bimmer]

After growing up on a 40' wooden extension ladder that weighed 300 pounds and had about two foot of swing fully extended, that wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Wamsutta]

From my experience, the all aluminum extension ladders wobble all over the place --- and even more so the further they get extended. However, you weighing in at only 150 pounds, might not experience that.

 

[cvcman]

Well I bought the class 1.....it was only 60.00 more and weighs 12 pounds more than the 3
Again I’ll only be going like 16 ft with it

 

[Aaron_W]

Well probably too late, but for inside your barn needing a 16 foot ladder, personally I'd have gone with a Little Giant A frame combination type ladder. Extensions are fine for walls, but not too useful if you need to get to the ceiling in the center of a room.

https://www.littlegiantladder.com/

 

[Yankee]

You'll be fine. I have a aluminum 32ft that I've had for 20 years.

Main reasons to go fiberglass is..
1) weight rating- If your 150lbs, your good. 250lbs is another story
2) conductive/non-conductive- depending on usage near power lines, etc would be a reason to need fiberglass.

Using it how you mention, the aluminum is just fine.

 

[rlitman]

Well probably too late, but for inside your barn needing a 16 foot ladder, personally I'd have gone with a Little Giant A frame combination type ladder. Extensions are fine for walls, but not too useful if you need to get to the ceiling in the center of a room.

https://www.littlegiantladder.com/

I have a few Little Giant ladders. A fiberglass 5 rung (model 22), and aluminum 4 rung (model 17), 5 rung and 6 rung (model 26). Though everyone I know is always borrowing them, so at the moment, I have none ...

Anyway, the 5 rung versions make an incredibly steady 9' A frame ladder. They're great in this configuration. They're also great when painting over stairs. But as a straight ladder, they're very springy, and the narrow rungs are harder on your feet than a regular extension ladder with D rungs.

Also, for the same length, they're VERY heavy. Yes, you get more configurations, but if you don't need the A frame, then you're going to regret lugging around such a heavy ladder.

 

[Aaron_W]

I have a few Little Giant ladders. A fiberglass 5 rung (model 22), and aluminum 4 rung (model 17), 5 rung and 6 rung (model 26). Though everyone I know is always borrowing them, so at the moment, I have none ...

Anyway, the 5 rung versions make an incredibly steady 9' A frame ladder. They're great in this configuration. They're also great when painting over stairs. But as a straight ladder, they're very springy, and the narrow rungs are harder on your feet than a regular extension ladder with D rungs.

Also, for the same length, they're VERY heavy. Yes, you get more configurations, but if you don't need the A frame, then you're going to regret lugging around such a heavy ladder.

Agree that they are inferior to an extension or straight ladder for that use. Their ability to be used as a straight ladder is secondary. For outdoor work on a house I would go with an extension ladder as that is what they do well.

I mention the little giant it because of the OPs plans to use it indoors. An A frame has far more utility than a straight ladder or extension inside of a structure.

The weight is not really a significant factor, a Little Giant type ladder is nearly identical in weight to a similar sized and weight rated extension ladder and is much more compact for carrying and storage.

There absolutely are places where an extension ladder is preferred so I have both. I have a "26" foot Little Giant which makes an 11 foot A frame or 23 foot straight ladder and a 28 foot extension ladder. 75%+ of my ladder work gets done with the Little Giant. I really only got the extension ladder to clean the gutters on the back of the house and for repainting the house.