Telescoping Ladder: Brands? Prices? Cautions?

[nvestysly]

A new topic that has nothing to do with financial planning...

Telescoping Ladders are on my radar screen as I look for ways to downsize and simplify my garage. Does anybody have one? Likes/Dislikes?

I'm interested in changing out my 19 foot Louisville extension ladder and buying a 12.5 foot or 15.5 foot telescoping ladder. The traditional extension ladder is very cumbersome to store in the garage and I very seldom use it beyond it's 12 foot (non-extended) size. I mostly use the ladder to access the roof of my RV and once in a while trim a branch or clean the gutters on the house.

I've become enamored with two brands: 1) Telesteps and 2) Xtend & Climb, but I'm open to researching other brands. I want a Type 1 (250#) or 1A (300#) because I think it will have added stability and I don't mind a few extra pounds of weight for the ladder.

 

[ChiliPepr]

I have the Xtend and I love it. It is easy to store, easy to move around and very handy.

 

[braumeister]

When we bought our current home a couple of years ago, I watched our home inspector use the Extend & Climb 12.5 foot ladder. I was so impressed I went out and bought the same one. Have used it at least a dozen times in the last two years and very happy with it. Takes hardly any space (I hang it on a hook in the garage) and extremely stable. I'd recommend it without reservation.

I got the 780P model, which is Type 1A.

 

[Ronstar]

I have to get one of these. The toughest part of cleaning my gutters is getting my extension ladder down from the garage ceiling brackets.

ETA - ordered 12.5 extend & climb from Amazon. I'll be using it Monday.

Thanks for posting!

 

[calmloki]

Used to use a version of that style ladder - it was long enough to just xtend past a first story gutter and collapsed to stow behind my driver's seat in the car. Was just enough and not too much - perfect for my drive-around landlord needs. Serious stuff got a serious ladder. Stability was not as good as a conventional ladder - it twisted as I was mounted several times. In time it got sticky when collapsing it and silicone spray only helped a bit. Then it decided to lessen it's extended length by a few rungs while I was aboard. Twice. Then it got retired. Was a valuable tool for a number of years, probably got greater than homeowner use, but has limitations to be aware of.

 

[street]

I don't have an extension ladder but my neighbor has and I have used his. It folds and extends and is awesome ladder. No brand name for you but also can be used in many other functions.

 

[Music Lover]

I have one of those multi position ladders. It can be a regular ladder, a step ladder, and can be used on stairs. The ends flair out wider to provide more stability. 19' at full extension and folds down to less than 5'. There are larger ones that go to 21' and smaller ones that go to 13'.

 

[W2R]

Nvestysly, I gather from your signature line that you are in your late 50's. Frank and I are older, in our mid to late 60's, and we don't climb ladders any more at all, for safety reasons. Not only do we feel like we might be more likely to fall, but also older people have more fragile bones and the cost of medical care isn't getting any cheaper these days. At some age (and I don't know what that will be for you) you might feel the same way.

I am glad I didn't spend any money on a ladder five years ago, when I was inclined to do so. We just hire someone to help out if/when necessary; much cheaper than medical bills.

 

[TrvlBug]

DH bought one last year to clear first floor gutters. Works great and so easy to store.

 

[travelover]

Whenever anyone asks whether vanilla or chocolate ice cream are tastier, someone had to warn against the evils of eating ice cream.

 

[nvestysly]

Nvestysly, I gather from your signature line that you are in your late 50's. Frank and I are older, in our mid to late 60's, and we don't climb ladders any more at all, for safety reasons. Not only do we feel like we might be more likely to fall, but also older people have more fragile bones and the cost of medical care isn't getting any cheaper these days. At some age (and I don't know what that will be for you) you might feel the same way.

I am glad I didn't spend any money on a ladder five years ago, when I was inclined to do so. We just hire someone to help out if/when necessary; much cheaper than medical bills.

Whenever anyone asks whether vanilla or chocolate ice cream are tastier, someone had to warn against the evils of eating ice cream.

Well.... I did put the word "cautions" in my thread title so the warning is not out of line.

I decided to order the Xtend & Climb 785P via Amazon. This ladder extends to a total length of 15.5 feet. I typically only need to reach the 10 ft height of the RV roof but the extra few feet will provide a handle/railing to use during the transition from ladder to RV roof and vice-versa.

On a related note - it was nearly 20 years ago that an extension ladder (the same Louisville ladder I still own) slipped out from under me and I tumbled down on the wood deck and ended up with a broken hip and dislocated shoulder. Significant injuries considering I was only three or four feet off the deck when the ladder slipped away. For years I could see the trail of my fingertips on the gutter of the house - trying to grab something to break the fall! I've since learned quite a bit about ladder safety and realized that slow and methodical is the way to approach ladder use as well as ensuring the ladder is at an appropriate angle.

DW and I volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity RV Care-A-Vanner program and help build houses around the country. I've become more comfortable and capable using ladders but also realize my limitations and refrain from performing certain tasks.

I'll let you know my opinions of the Xtend & Climb 785P when it arrives next week.

 

[W2R]

Glad you are thinking about safety, Nvestysly. You probably have at least a few years of safe ladder climbing ahead of you, especially since you are being careful.

 

[kaneohe]

..............................................
On a related note - it was nearly 20 years ago that an extension ladder (the same Louisville ladder I still own) slipped out from under me and I tumbled down on the wood deck and ended up with a broken hip and dislocated shoulder. Significant injuries considering I was only three or four feet off the deck when the ladder slipped away. For years I could see the trail of my fingertips on the gutter of the house - trying to grab something to break the fall! I've since learned quite a bit about ladder safety and realized that slow and methodical is the way to approach ladder use as well as ensuring the ladder is at an appropriate angle.

.......................................................

Just to reinforce your lesson........I used to waterproof our deck w/ a silicone coating.. Used the extension ladder to clean out the gutter for some yrs before one yr when the ladder slipped out from under me. Fortunately no injuries but I was rattled by the incident. No more deck waterproofing and no more extension ladders on the deck.

 

[misanman]

In my 70s and climbing a ladder doesn't seem like much of an issue for me. I really don't like working up on the roof though.

 

[calmloki]

Note the rounded foot of the telescoping ladder vs the flexible foot pad on a conventional ladder - ground contact is at a point vs a 1 1/2" x 4" foot. They sure do get small though! Be smart and have care; you'll be fine.

 

[NW-Bound]

Whenever anyone asks whether vanilla or chocolate ice cream are tastier, someone had to warn against the evils of eating ice cream.

Funny you should mention this. I normally do not have ice cream in my fridge, but a month or two ago saw Blue Bell ice cream mentioned here on this site. When I saw that the local market had a sales, I went to get some.

Oh man, I only ate ice cream two nights that week, and I do not know if it was coincidental but my weekly self-administered blood glucose test jumped up to 111. I told my wife I would finish that gallon of ice cream then no more.

Last two weekly blood tests: <100. Other than ice cream, no change in diet. Coincidental? Should I buy another gallon to test out the theory?

Back on ladders, I do not have the telescoping type, but a couple of folding Werner ladders. They work great.

 

[Texas Proud]

I have one of those multi position ladders. It can be a regular ladder, a step ladder, and can be used on stairs. The ends flair out wider to provide more stability. 19' at full extension and folds down to less than 5'. There are larger ones that go to 21' and smaller ones that go to 13'.

I have one of these also, but the ladders the OP referenced seem to be even better for an extension ladder.... getting the folding ladder to be extension means you have to extend both legs to full length and then unfold the thing so it is straight... now you have a heavy ladder that is 19'....

I do like the versatility of the folding one since you can have one leg straight up and down and put the ladder close to a wall without leaning it on the wall...

I will keep looking at this thread and maybe buy one in the future..

 

[Music Lover]

I have one of these also, but the ladders the OP referenced seem to be even better for an extension ladder.... getting the folding ladder to be extension means you have to extend both legs to full length and then unfold the thing so it is straight... now you have a heavy ladder that is 19'....

You can unfold it before extending the legs, but yes, they are heavy. But, the way I look at it...when I reach the point where I can't put up a 40 pound ladder, then I shouldn't be climbing it.

As previously mentioned...decks and ladders are a dangerous combination, especially if the ladder has hard plastic feet. I solve this by screwing down a scrap of 2x4 between the deck boards (hitting the joists) so that the ladder can't slip.

When using a ladder on the ground that has pivoting grips, I flip them up and dig them into the ground rather than relying on just the grip of rubber or plastic on grass/dirt. They are designed that way specifically for that purpose.

 

[Texas Proud]

You can unfold it before extending the legs, but yes, they are heavy. But, the way I look at it...when I reach the point where I can't put up a 40 pound ladder, then I shouldn't be climbing it.

As previously mentioned...decks and ladders are a dangerous combination, especially if the ladder has hard plastic feet. I solve this by screwing down a scrap of 2x4 between the deck boards (hitting the joists) so that the ladder can't slip.

When using a ladder on the ground that has pivoting grips, I flip them up and dig them into the ground rather than relying on just the grip of rubber or plastic on grass/dirt. They are designed that way specifically for that purpose.

My folding ladder does not have 'feet'... just the end of of the ladder... there is some non-slip something or other, but not a something that pivots...

All the ones that I look at online now seem to have a cross bar that look like they keep the ladder more secure...


Opps... I was wrong... found this at Lowes.... not my brand, but the feet look the same...


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-17-...bs-Telescoping-Multi-Position-Ladder/50398354

 

[Music Lover]

My folding ladder does not have 'feet'... just the end of of the ladder... there is some non-slip something or other, but not a something that pivots...

I don't think many of the multi ladders come with pivoting feet. This is what I was referring to. You can see that one end of the feet have a spike to allow it to be set into the ground:

 

[Sunset]

I have one of the folding, and you extend the legs type

I have wondered about the telescoping ones, how do they stop from simply collapsing when you are on them ?

 

[braumeister]

I have wondered about the telescoping ones, how do they stop from simply collapsing when you are on them ?

Pretty much the same way your umbrella shaft keeps from collapsing when you lift it up over your head.

 

[Ronstar]

Testing out the new Xtend & Climb

 

[TrvlBug]

Testing out the new Xtend & Climb

That's how DH would clean the gutters if I let him on the roof . We now hire someone every couple of years to do the entire 2 story house.

 

[nvestysly]

Testing out the new Xtend & Climb

That's a great video! Thanks for posting.

We received our Xtend & Climb today (Sunday!) and I tried it out. I didn't go on the roof of the house because the pitch of the roof makes me uneasy and the feeling of uncertainty can lead to falls. You are obviously very adept at getting around on your roof.

I'm making plans to list our old extension ladder on Craigslist. Or... I may simply drive to the area of town where all the painters seem to live and sit on the street corner a few minutes and see if I can sell the ladder. The street corner idea may be easier than meeting with potential buyers via Craigslist.

Regardless, the Xtend & Climb takes up a fraction of the space compared to the traditional ladder.