Author Topic: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?  (Read 980 times)

ctuser1

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Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« on: December 13, 2020, 05:27:06 PM »
I have one of these:
https://gorillaladders.com/product/glmpx-22-gla-mpx22/

That one is good, but doesn't do everything I need. e.g. I need to get above to do power-wash. This one feels quite wobbly when extended all they way to 22 ft, feels quite insecure with all the joints and hinges involved at that length, and is still not sufficient to reach all the way up that I need from the ground.

Does anyone have a recommendation for good extendable ladders, 28ft or so, that can be stored outdoors (no space in garage, will likely need to keep it below the deck)? They also seem quite expensive if purchased new. Any suggestions how/where to score 'em cheap, maybe used?


IsThisAGoodUsername

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2020, 05:54:48 PM »
I don't know anything about power washing ladders, but have you considered a CD Ladder?

:)

secondcor521

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2020, 08:07:22 PM »
They also seem quite expensive if purchased new. Any suggestions how/where to score 'em cheap, maybe used?

I bought a ~22ft one off Craigslist for maybe $60 when I needed to paint my house.

JLee

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2020, 08:52:51 PM »
For anyone else looking for a shorter ladder, I bought one of these recently and it's awesome: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Ladders-King-Kombo-Fiberglass-12-7-ft-Reach-Type-1AA-375-lbs-Capacity-Multi-Position-Ladder/1000602861

They only have one that goes to 17 feet, though.

lthenderson

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2020, 07:51:52 AM »
Does anyone have a recommendation for good extendable ladders, 28ft or so, that can be stored outdoors (no space in garage, will likely need to keep it below the deck)? They also seem quite expensive if purchased new. Any suggestions how/where to score 'em cheap, maybe used?

I know a couple people who did stretches in the hospital with similar types of ladders after the joints failed or didn't get completely locked. Me personally, I would just get an appropriate sized extension ladder. Either an aluminum or fiberglass one should do well outside since neither are made from materials that rust. I have a 30 feet extension ladder which I store in my garage just fine. I bought a ladder ceiling storage hoist for about $25 off Amazon. With the door down, it fits up between the ceiling and the door (in the open position) above my car where it is out of the way. I would also suggest anytime you are doing any kind of work high off a ladder to get a stabilizer bar that clips into the D rungs. They widen the stance considerably and also give it a much more stable feel too.

Fishindude

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2020, 08:20:18 AM »
Get a good commercial grade fiberglass ladder from a real construction tool supply store.
The commercial grade ones have a higher weight rating and are much better built than the ones at the big box stores.

A ladder is not something to go cheap on.

ctuser1

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2020, 11:09:17 AM »
Get a good commercial grade fiberglass ladder from a real construction tool supply store.
The commercial grade ones have a higher weight rating and are much better built than the ones at the big box stores.

A ladder is not something to go cheap on.

Something like this?
https://www.colonyhardware.com/product/extension-ladders/fiberglass-extension-ladders/P14-0738


Jon Bon

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2020, 11:18:16 AM »
I have the Werner multifunction ladders. In terms of failure rates, I would think the trail lawyers appropriately punish anyone who makes a defective ladder pretty quickly. I believe my ladders are 17 and 26 feet. Both are solidly built with the emphasis on solid.

Pros:
Can do all kinds of stuff, A frame, scaffold, extension ladder.
Wide base, this is nice.
Easy to transport, can be about 1/4 of its total length.
East to store

Cons:
Heavy as hell.
Nearly impossible to fully extend.
Your up 25 feet on a ladder.

I would consider myself retired from ladder work these days. Not that im too old for it, it is just hard and dangerous and not worth it. I still use them for time to time, but to get to the roof of a second story building this is not the right tool. I mean it can in a pinch but it takes all my strength and honestly is super dangerous to extend all the way. a 32 foot extension ladder is easier to handle. However has more limited uses and is hard to transport and store.

Mainly I think you need to find a ladder guy on CL. This is what I do. They have the right ladders to do the job. Find one of them online and they will get you sorted out and you wont be dead from falling off a ladder.





lthenderson

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2020, 11:25:28 AM »
Get a good commercial grade fiberglass ladder from a real construction tool supply store.
The commercial grade ones have a higher weight rating and are much better built than the ones at the big box stores.

A ladder is not something to go cheap on.

Something like this?
https://www.colonyhardware.com/product/extension-ladders/fiberglass-extension-ladders/P14-0738

Absolutely that is much better than the one in your original post.  Combine that with a stabilizer bar and it will feel much sturdier and is probably much safer.

sonofsven

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Re: Need a ladder recommendation | Do I need an extendable one?
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2020, 07:01:25 PM »
Yes, the link is a good ladder. It's not necessary to get the extra heavy duty, they are a little heavier. Werner is a good brand, Louisville looks good but I have no personal experience with that brand.
I use ladders a lot, but I don't like to work off ladders, it's dangerous. But one help I've found is those little rubber ladder "condoms" that install on the top ends of the ladder. They're to keep the ladder from slipping around on the siding (and especially the sheathing plywood).
I install them on every ladder. Highly recommended! I don't like the stabilizer because it adds weight to the top and limits the usefulness. YMMV.
Oh, I learned this in OSHA class: with the ladder leaning against the wall, and your feet on the ground right in front of the ladder and facing the ladder reach out with your arm straight in front of you, you should just touch the ladder (approx). This is a safe angle.