Replace Two Step Ladders for Fold Up
- Thread starter DesertG
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RTM
Well-known member
Yes
Retired dozer fixer
Well-known member
Are those similar to Little Giant Ladders? I have one of those and it works great but heavy as hell
do you mean a multi position ladder?
I find them heavy & awkward for general use stuff.
I find them heavy & awkward for general use stuff.
TurnipTruck
Well-known member
I have at least one of all three sizes, plus other ladders. Can confirm they are heavier but they are more versatile.
rlitman
Well-known member
Almost certainly, so the real question is how much does your hate for it make up for owning less ladders? If you don't use it often, then maybe you'll be happy enough with it (like I am).
yatg
Well-known member
yes, but they are heavier.
RTM
Well-known member
My SIL has one, and we were working on something on the house, so shoes off. The uncomfortable foot rails were awful compared to a normal ladder. I tried it again later w my boots on, still not something I'd want to stand on all day.
Dad was an early adopter of those in the 70s. Never learned to like it
, barely tolerated using it. If trek to get the regular A frame ladder any time.
I have a fiberglass, aluminum and wood tripod in increasing heights.
Dad was an early adopter of those in the 70s. Never learned to like it
, barely tolerated using it. If trek to get the regular A frame ladder any time.I have a fiberglass, aluminum and wood tripod in increasing heights.
neophyte
Well-known member
If you want to replace the two strp ladders because of weight or convenience, maybe try the Hailo step ladders, which are usually fairly lightweight, but in many cases, still rated for 300lbs.
Apparently Hailo now makes a step ladder with extendable legs so it can serve as a 3, 4, or 5 stepped ladder. (I have no experience with this).
www.hailo.us
The regular ladders are pretty good as well.
www.hailo.us
Depending on the number of steps, the weight usually runs between 10-22lbs per ladder.
Aa for the Little Giant Multipurpose ladders and clones, I would probably recommend fiberglass, since it gives the extra electrical safety.
(Werner’s version is usually less expensive than the Little Giant fiberglass version).
One thing about Little Giant ladders, is while that pack up shorter than regular ladders, the actual ladders are otherwise bulky and heavy.
Apparently Hailo now makes a step ladder with extendable legs so it can serve as a 3, 4, or 5 stepped ladder. (I have no experience with this).
HAILO TL100 TopLine | 9204016080
The aluminum telescopic stepladder with a flexible working height.
www.hailo.us
The regular ladders are pretty good as well.
HAILO L100 TopLine - 4 steps | HAILO Online Shop
HAILO L100 TopLine | Aluminum safety household ladder | 4-8 steps ✓ Safety & comfort at the highest level ✓ Top quality ✓ Direct from the manufacturer
www.hailo.us
Depending on the number of steps, the weight usually runs between 10-22lbs per ladder.
Aa for the Little Giant Multipurpose ladders and clones, I would probably recommend fiberglass, since it gives the extra electrical safety.
(Werner’s version is usually less expensive than the Little Giant fiberglass version).
One thing about Little Giant ladders, is while that pack up shorter than regular ladders, the actual ladders are otherwise bulky and heavy.
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zimman
Well-known member
Did we tell you they're heavy. LOL
I like mine but after 10 minutes of adjusting the damn thing to the multiple positions I want, I become tired and heave the SOB out the door. LMAO
Zim
I like mine but after 10 minutes of adjusting the damn thing to the multiple positions I want, I become tired and heave the SOB out the door. LMAO
Zim
65ranchero
Well-known member
This is my favorite 3 step ladder(also make a 2 step one)
Replaces a fold up step stool
More foot cover area and has built in grab bar and tool tray fold to a fairly thin profile
www.zoro.com
Replaces a fold up step stool
More foot cover area and has built in grab bar and tool tray fold to a fairly thin profile
Little Giant Ladders Folding Step, 3 Steps, 375 lb Load Capacity, 36 in Overall Height, Aluminum, Silver 11903 | Zoro
Order Little Giant Ladders Folding Step, 3 Steps, 375 lb Load Capacity, 36 in Overall Height, Aluminum, Silver, 11903 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.
www.zoro.com
Shiftless
Well-known member
Mine is a Little Giant.
Heavy?, of course. It can’t be beat for working above staircases. Also, once it’s set up, the weight and the stiffness when you are on level surfaces gives you a lot of confidence when you are up in the air.
Do you know anyone who has been seriously injured or killed by falling off a ladder? I do.
Heavy?, of course. It can’t be beat for working above staircases. Also, once it’s set up, the weight and the stiffness when you are on level surfaces gives you a lot of confidence when you are up in the air.
Do you know anyone who has been seriously injured or killed by falling off a ladder? I do.
neophyte
Well-known member
A person’a body weight should help keep a ladder in place, and weight should only be an issue if you are mounting the ladder from a high location, since a person’s weight would not be there on the ladder to stabilize the ladder.Mine is a Little Giant.
Heavy?, of course. It can’t be beat for working above staircases. Also, once it’s set up, the weight and the stiffness when you are on level surfaces gives you a lot of confidence when you are up in the air.
Do you know anyone who has been seriously injured or killed by falling off a ladder? I do.
I have never felt insecure on the Hailo step ladders when climbing from the floor, and Hailo step ladders can be carried around with a pinky finger.
This is my favorite 3 step ladder(also make a 2 step one)
Replaces a fold up step stool
More foot cover area and has built in grab bar and tool tray fold to a fairly thin profile
Little Giant Ladders Folding Step, 3 Steps, 375 lb Load Capacity, 36 in Overall Height, Aluminum, Silver 11903 | Zoro
Order Little Giant Ladders Folding Step, 3 Steps, 375 lb Load Capacity, 36 in Overall Height, Aluminum, Silver, 11903 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.
I love that little 3-step ladder. It is rock solid. Have had one since 2010. Late 2024, I finally had to replace the treads. Used an outdoor rubber mat from Lowe's.
Also, the Flip 'n Lite. I have a 5' and a 6' version - since 2007. My favorite for general use around the house. For bigger jobs, the Little Giant M22' comes out.
| Old tread on top, new mockups below. | Acetone wiped, masked for spray adhesive. |
| Overall shot. | Close-up of the new treads. |
Shiftless
Well-known member
I have a conventional 6 foot fiberglass step ladder. I also have a 3 step step stool kept in the kitchen and used to access upper cabinets. (Upper cabinets run all the way to the 8 foot ceiling)
My heavy old Little Giant makes up into a 9 foot A-frame ladder when both halves are fully extended. That’s where the extra weight pays off… sometimes reaching out over the side and not feeling off balance. I also have outriggers and work platforms that attach. Handy place for a bucket or a tray with tools. It’s strong enough so that a guy can stand on it rather than standing on the rungs.
The Little Giant has equal capacity rungs in both sides so you can climb up either side or even have 2 people standing on it at the same time.
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If you seldom use a ladder and want only one they are ok.
I find them super heavy and difficult to set up. They also hurt my feet after a while compared to a regular step ladder.
The only places they shine is if you need to get a big ladder into an elevator or back of a van.
I find them super heavy and difficult to set up. They also hurt my feet after a while compared to a regular step ladder.
The only places they shine is if you need to get a big ladder into an elevator or back of a van.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Great for that and also if you need to work above a staircase.
Captain Spaulding
Well-known member
I have a 6ft platform ladder, an 8ft step ladder, a 10ft platform ladder as well as an 8ft. little Giant. I use them all, and consider the LG a different tool, not a replacement for any of the others
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Gorilla makes more than one ladder so it's a guess as to which one is the topic. I have the Werner version of a Little Giant that extends to an 8 or 9' step ladder and I don't know how long of a straight ladder and there's no effing way that heavy finger pinching SOB would be my one and only ladder, I don't care how many things it can do. I've probably had it 12 years and used it four times, each time was a light above stairs. As far as stepladders go, I have two 2', three 4', three 6' three 8', two 10' and a 12'. Extension ladders: 20', two 24', 28', and a 32'. When I shut the business down I'll keep one of each step ladder up to an 8' and the 20' extension ladder. The rest, including the Little Giant wannabe, can go to the dump.
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If I only had one ladder to use as a "step ladder," it would be a Little Giant.
One of our smoke detectors is on the ceiling above the stairs. My M22 Little Giant will reach but I have to have one side fully extended as it rests on the middle landing. It's a long ways up there! We also have a bank of 5 windows along that wall so the Little Giant got used all along the stairs when I was installing blinds.
danski0224
Well-known member
The Little Giant ladder can be positioned so you can face a wall, and be right in front of the wall.
Much safer than leaning a regular ladder against the wall- but there are regular A frame ladders that are made to be leaned against a wall, which is a fairly recent design.
Little Giant used to make a "regular" fiberglass version, and it was heavier than the best rated aluminum version. They make a fiberglass one marketed towards municipal customers now.
A commercial jobsite will not allow aluminum ladders. Some will only allow "podium" A frame ladders now.
Much safer than leaning a regular ladder against the wall- but there are regular A frame ladders that are made to be leaned against a wall, which is a fairly recent design.
Little Giant used to make a "regular" fiberglass version, and it was heavier than the best rated aluminum version. They make a fiberglass one marketed towards municipal customers now.
A commercial jobsite will not allow aluminum ladders. Some will only allow "podium" A frame ladders now.
finn
Well-known member
I have a Little Giant and a 5’ or 6’ aluminum step latter at the Az house. 90% of the time we use the lightweight aluminum latter.
I have an old steel fold up latter in Mi, along with an assortment of step and extension ladders.
The folding ladder gets used mostly as a work platform, or a dedicated staircase to climb to the top of the boiler /compressor/ electrical/ well tank / water heater utility room, where it’s been for the last year or two.
The most frequently used ladder is another lightweight 5’ aluminum stepladder. The least frequently used is a 32’ extension ladder.
I hate heights, and ladders in general.
I have an old steel fold up latter in Mi, along with an assortment of step and extension ladders.
The folding ladder gets used mostly as a work platform, or a dedicated staircase to climb to the top of the boiler /compressor/ electrical/ well tank / water heater utility room, where it’s been for the last year or two.
The most frequently used ladder is another lightweight 5’ aluminum stepladder. The least frequently used is a 32’ extension ladder.
I hate heights, and ladders in general.
captain14
Well-known member
If you get the Gorilla or Little Giant ladder, make sure you get the work platform and the set of wheels. The LG work platform will fit on the Gorilla ladder. I use it on my 6 foot step ladder and multi ladder. Like others have said the multi ladder is heavy.
Work Platform Aluminum Platform For Ladders and Scaffolding https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Ladders-Platform-for-Ladders-Or-Scaffolds/999968823
Work Platform Aluminum Platform For Ladders and Scaffolding https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Ladders-Platform-for-Ladders-Or-Scaffolds/999968823
vavet
Well-known member
I have had mine for 20+ years. saving storage space and ease of transport are the big advantages.
it’s heavy, it’s awkward to adjusted exactly how young want it. Mine maxes out at just under 8 foot as a stepladder, so using it in a house with 8 foot ceilings is tricky.
it’s heavy, it’s awkward to adjusted exactly how young want it. Mine maxes out at just under 8 foot as a stepladder, so using it in a house with 8 foot ceilings is tricky.
finn
Well-known member
The work platform greatly increases the utility of the collapsing ladders.
I found one in the clearance section of Lowe’s a while back. Don’t recall what I paid, but I consider it a score, whatever it cost.