Telescopic ladders: yay or nay ?

[hemdale]

Hi guys,

Having a small flat doesn't allow me to have a full size ladder or step ladder.

Leaning ladders: http://www.telesteps.se/en/pro/products/


I kinda like their combination ladders:
http://www.telesteps.se/en/pro/products/combination-ladders/

I've seen many of some extendable ladders / telescopic ladders / step ladders

I'm not a pro working 10 hrs / day on a ladder so it rather for occasional work (fetching something up on a shelve, changing light bulb, light duty renovation...)

Also, I've found this product from Little Giant ladders, quite interesting:

http://www.littlegiantladder.com/little-giant/type-1a-select-step.html


By compact ladders, I mean this:

http://www.centaure.fr/type-gamme-t...es-telescopiques/28/0/0/produit-54/0/tt3.html

Or even this:

http://www.centaure.fr/type-gamme-t...scopiques/28/26/0/produit-56/0/opti--pro.html


No quite compact but maybe a but more sturdy ?
What do you guys reckon ? Your personal feedback is more than welcome.

Thanks a lot

 

[mrjaw14]

I have a little giant style ladder. it's smaller when compressed and folded than a regular ladder, making storing it easier. it's also wider, which adds to stability. I have a set of 12' extensiot ladders and my little giant can get up higher.

 

[drivesitfar]

I own a couple little giant ladders and once you get used to the adjusting of them without pinching your fingers they are sturdy. I'm over 6 foot and 240 pounds and can stand on the last rung of mine and reach the top of my 12 foot racks without it wobbling. I like the next step down better and that one is rock solid. (this is in the where both pairs of legs are on the ground).

I suppose if I had to lean it up to a roof or one of my tall racks fully extended it might go quite a bit taller. they do fold up and won't take up much room in a closet or corner.

Costco carries them if you don't find a better option.

 

[hemdale]

Great, thanks guys.

Little Giant is a bit pricey here in Paris though. Any thoughts on the telescopic ones ?

 

[78Bird]

I have the Werner version of the little giant style foldable, 22' ( if i remember correctly) version

love it

Folds to easily store in my shed, but allows access to 2nd story gutters for cleaning or repair.

the adjustable nature is great for stairs and other uneven ground when used as a step ladder.

 

[drivesitfar]

Sorry I forgot to look to see where you would be shopping for a ladder. not a Costco in France yet? probably will be soon.

I also have about a 40 year old aluminum ladder I usually pull out if I want to climb on my roof. it works good enough and a lot easier to use than my little giants that I usually keep at my shop or storage unit. one word of caution though if you buy a lightweight aluminum one is to have someone hold the base if you are taking heavy items up on it or if it's windy.

Does France have another version of Little Giant ladders because that style would be my first choice for sturdiness and storing it?

 

[scaron]

i have wanted to get a ladder of this style for some time because of the way its supposed to be able to handle stairs, but i haven't been able to justify paying almost double the price on an equal-height basis to a regular old fiberglass step ladder. i think they can be very useful for specific scenarios but i obviously can't comment on their durability or longevity.

 

[mayday0017]

Dad had a Little Giant and we hated it, it is way to heavy to move around much.... I own a Telescoping ladder had it about 4 years now and love it! I don't use it for everything but it is nice for the jobs I use it for. Used it a bunch this past week building a fence super sturdy and very portable. We keep it inside the house for changing the AC filter in the hallway that is 10ft up.

 

[hemdale]

Hey guys,

Just heard about these guys on different UK forum: http://www.hymer.de/

@ Monte: yes, they are German !
@ drivesitfar: I'll try to see the Little Giant line near Paris...

 

[jeremy v]

I second the weight comment related to the little giant ladders. I have a little giant ladder (type 1A classic 17 foot version) and it is very nicely built, sturdy, and stable, but I only use it when necessary because of the weight. Mainly just for uneven surfaces outdoors, stairs, etc. For general ladder use I will always grab one of my fiberglass or aluminum 6 foot or 8 foot ladders instead, because they are so much lighter and easier to carry. A regular 6 foot ladder is probably only about 10-20 pounds depending on weight capacity and construction, but the little giant is almost 40 pounds for the same height capacity when in A-frame mode. If you need all the folding versatility definitely go with the little giant ladder, but it makes a poor general purpose everyday ladder in my opinion. I would hate to have to get the little giant ladder out just to change a couple light bulbs, but if I was cleaning gutters for an hour or two across varied landscaping surfaces the little giant would be my pick.

In relation to the telescoping ladders, I don't have any personal experience with them, but I do know they are pretty popular with RVers for accessing the roofs of travel trailers, motorhomes, buses, etc. so you might want to check on a few of those forums.

 

[vhol5]

I have that same telescopic step ladder. Wife bought it for me.

Personally, the are a pain in the "****" to extend, unless you use it often, as there is a slight learning curve.

Pretty sturdy, if on LEVEL ground, as the bottom has the crossbar that isn't conducive to uneven ground.

Only real benefit is that it is extremely compact AND HEAVY!!!!!

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have a wood 10' that needs to be trashed and
I also I have a Werner version of the little giant.

It's heavier than a standard ladder but the adjustment doesn't bother me.
It's sturdy (I got the heavier duty version.)
My main wish for it is I wish it was the same length as a 10' set up as an "A". It's a bit shorter.
And let's face it; most of us are well-suited with a standard A ladder, even if we're going to set it up against a wall most of the time.

That reminds me; I need to do some tree trimming.

 

[notlob]

I also have the werner little giant clone and love it for cleaning gutters, tree trimming, etc., but find it heavy, bulky and cumbersome for most common indoor residential work.

Sounds to me like the OP needs a lighter duty 6' step ladder:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-6-ft-Fiberglass-Step-Ladder-with-225-lb-Load-Capacity-Type-II-Duty-Rating-FS206/202259337#

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi guys,

Having a small flat doesn't allow me to have a full size ladder or step ladder.

Leaning ladders: http://www.telesteps.se/en/pro/products/


I kinda like their combination ladders:
http://www.telesteps.se/en/pro/products/combination-ladders/

I've seen many of some extendable ladders / telescopic ladders / step ladders

I'm not a pro working 10 hrs / day on a ladder so it rather for occasional work (fetching something up on a shelve, changing light bulb, light duty renovation...)

Also, I've found this product from Little Giant ladders, quite interesting:

http://www.littlegiantladder.com/little-giant/type-1a-select-step.html


By compact ladders, I mean this:

http://www.centaure.fr/type-gamme-t...es-telescopiques/28/0/0/produit-54/0/tt3.html

Or even this:

http://www.centaure.fr/type-gamme-t...scopiques/28/26/0/produit-56/0/opti--pro.html


No quite compact but maybe a but more sturdy ?
What do you guys reckon ? Your personal feedback is more than welcome.

Thanks a lot

Get one of those composite ladders if you have those in europe (flat=europe probably england) and you are within the rating. Ladders aren't where you want a ton of moving parts in my opinion but typically it won't be used at a height where it will kill you (from the fall alone), but you can still get hurt badly falling off a ladder if you hit something hard.

If you get a ladder that telescopes or folds (if you mean a simple hinged ladder, you stated "little giant" so I assume you didn't) make sure anything hard or anything that can shatter is out of the radius of where you will fall or you might have a bad time. No one wants to go through a thick glass table (or window); oh man those shards...

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I climb roofs almost daily. I went from a heavy, folding, cumbersome Little Giant to a Telesteps. I LOVE the telesteps. Please buy it over the folding one. SO much smaller and compact, even if you rarely use it.

BIGGEST THING! Make sure each safety tab is engaged before you climb the ladder.

EDIT: If you need an A-Frame type, better go with folding. Telescoping is only good against walls and roof edges etc....can't change a lightbulb in the middle of the living room ceiling....

 

[hemdale]

@ nicksnothereman: thanks man, but I though fiberglass ladders were specifically dedicated to electricians working in hazardous environments ?

@ Mohawk Dave: what about a A frame ladder that would be telescopic ? http://www.telesteps.se/en/pro/products/combination-ladders/

 

[Mohawk Dave]

@ Mohawk Dave: what about a A frame ladder that would be telescopic ? http://www.telesteps.se/en/pro/products/combination-ladders/

Well, I'll be damned. That just went on my wishlist.

 

[hemdale]

Well...well..well...

This topic to me thinking...




http://www.ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/Compact-Ladder-Test/2462

And this one too...

http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_.../22812-another-telesteps-collapse-injury.html

 

[pauls_workshop]

I've used several ladders over the years. A little 6 foot A frame is fine for most indoors things, but I got a 13' Werner extending/folding Little Giant clone a few years back and that can be a 6 foot A frame now so you don't need that one. It is real handy for different uses but too short. I also really like the fact these type ladders are heavy duty, have flared bottoms and tops for more stability, and are stiff. Safer that way. But you pay for it as they cost more.

Now I needed more height, so at Black Friday, I picked up the 22 foot version of the Werner Little Giant clone for $125. That will get me more height. I'm still keeping the 13' version too though, as it would be best for tasks where less height will still work as it is much lighter than the 22' version.

Now I gotta paint my house next spring, and need even more height than a 22 ' can do for part of it. So I picked up a used 28 foot Keller aluminum recently for $75 as just an extension ladder. This is nowhere near as stiff or strong as the 13 or 22' Werners above, but for the very top parts, I'll use that. I'll use the 22' Werner above wherever it will work out.

If you only want one, I would start with a 22 or 24 Little Giant clone. Heavy but that is good. If you want lighter, get a 13 little Giant clone too. If you need more height, get an extension taller like I did. You'll have it all covered. I've not used the telescopic ones, so those may replace some of the options above based on height if you like but could not be as stable or stiff as the above would be. - Paul

 

[jeremy v]

Does anyone else think it is funny that at the time of this posting the poll results percentages add up to 137%?

 

[tshetter]

I got a 22ft Werner latter for Christmas from the old lady. She got on black friday for $99. I kept talking about it but decided I didn't REALLY need it, but she thought I did.

Seems very secure and safe to me.

Only down side is that it heavy as all hell.

 

[nicksnothereman]

@ nicksnothereman: thanks man, but I though fiberglass ladders were specifically dedicated to electricians working in hazardous environments ?

Might be the case but they're still ladders. I think they're a bit cheaper than the all aluminum ones. Depends on what you need to do but typically a 6 footer is more than adequate for inside use or a one story house (outside).