Looking for Lighter Ladder

[aaronm]

As I am rapidly approaching 70, after 25 years of hauling and climbing heavy ladders, I am looking for a lighter alternative. I am currently using a 34 lb. Gorilla multi-ladder for roofs. What I need is something long enough and light enough to get into attics where the builder was too cheap to install a pull-down attic stair unit or the owner was too lazy to maintain it. I have looked at several alternatives like the Little Giant Helium (out of stock everywhere) and collapsible ladders. Since I cannot find the one I am tempted to look into the other. That said, I have never owned a collapsible anything other than a camping coffee cup. Whatever, I need for it to fit in the back of a Chrysler Pacifica van. Should I attempt to foist my 225 lbs onto something named collapsible, or does someone have a better idea?
 

[Marc]

23 minutes ago, aaronm said:

As I am rapidly approaching 70, after 25 years of hauling and climbing heavy ladders, I am looking for a lighter alternative. I am currently using a 34 lb. Gorilla multi-ladder for roofs. What I need is something long enough and light enough to get into attics where the builder was too cheap to install a pull-down attic stair unit or the owner was too lazy to maintain it. I have looked at several alternatives like the Little Giant Helium (out of stock everywhere) and collapsible ladders. Since I cannot find the one I am tempted to look into the other. That said, I have never owned a collapsible anything other than a camping coffee cup. Whatever, I need for it to fit in the back of a Chrysler Pacifica van. Should I attempt to foist my 225 lbs onto something named collapsible, or does someone have a better idea?
 

What's the maximum length that will fit into the Pacifica?

[aaronm]

I might be able to make 80 inches work. 72 inches would be better.

[Marc]

Would you consider a roof rack?  I've an aluminum 16' extension ladder that I've used for over 10 years. Retracted, it fits into the 8' bed of my pickup, weighs about 17 lbs but rated only for 200 lb loads.  HD has one rated for 250 lb loads that weighs 26 lbs.

I will not mount a collapsible. I wouldn't trust it with my life, much less my coffee.

Edited July 19, 2020 by Marc

[Jim Katen]

Why wouldn't you just use a regular Gorrilla or Little Giant 13-footer? 

[Mike Lamb]

I use a grade II - 6' step ladder. It should get your head and shoulders in just about any attic. You will need some arm strength if you want to crawl the attic. A Little Giant would be my back-up if I needed it.  I don't like LG's because they are too heavy and I would be more likely to smash something in the house. Like Marc, I carry a 16' grade II extension - very light - but rarely bring that into a house if I can help it. I don't often run into pull down stairs for attics around here. 

[Mike Lamb]

I use a grade II - 6' aluminum step ladder. It should get your head and shoulders in just about any attic. You will need some arm strength if you want to crawl the attic. A Little Giant would be my back-up if I needed it.  I don't like LG's because they are too heavy and I would be more likely to smash something in the house. Like Marc, I carry a 16' grade II extension - very light - but rarely bring that into a house if I can help it. I don't often run into pull down stairs for attics around here. 

[Trent Tarter]

For years I used 16 & 24 foot extension ladders. It was killing my knees, was getting tired of crawling in and out of truck bed every time. Now all my ladders fit in my short bed truck, no more strapping to ladder racks for me.  

For my primary ladder I use a compact 3 section 16 foot extension ladder (Werner). This gets me to majority of roofs. It reduces down to just 6 feet, has a nice carry handle, weighs 26.5 lbs. I have a the same 22 foot Gorilla multi ladder, I rarely have to use it.

I am buying drone to do taller roofs and try to avoid using the Gorilla, plan on getting the new DJI Mavic mini, $499 for the combo package. One of my main competitors fell off a roof last year and broke his arm, he was out for several weeks. Since that, I have been more cautious.   

[Erby]

I just don't trust collapsible ladders.  Too many times, too many people have been injured by them collapsing.  User error or failure, doesn't really matter.  I won't get on one.

For years and years, I've used the one linked below.  I also still carry an LG 17 but nowadays it's use is pretty much limited to getting into high attic accesses in garages.  Neither one of them are too heavy for me and both of them have good weight ratings.

Low slopes, I still get on.  High or steep, out comes the drone.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cosco-13-Multi-Position-Ladder-System/dp/B00820N1VU

[John Kogel]

See if you can find a Jaws ladder. I think Werner ladders use the Jaws ststem of tapered joints with locknuts. They are lighter and have stronger knuckle joints than the LG's, so the ladder is stiff when set up. I like removing the upper end of my 24 footer, slides off, so that it has 3 six foot sections and that removes 1/4 of the weight.

[Les]

I am 75.  My man brings this to the site for me with his pick-up truck. 

[Jim Katen]

23 hours ago, John Kogel said:

See if you can find a Jaws ladder. I think Werner ladders use the Jaws ststem of tapered joints with locknuts. They are lighter and have stronger knuckle joints than the LG's, so the ladder is stiff when set up. I like removing the upper end of my 24 footer, slides off, so that it has 3 six foot sections and that removes 1/4 of the weight.

I still can't find a US retailer for the Jaws Ladder. They might not be sold in the states. The only US inspector I know who used one got it in BC. 

 

[Rob Amaral]

Maybe a 17' LG? (Take it apart??)   I've been using LG 13 and 21 for the entire career.. beautiful.. I don't trust those collapsible camping-cup ladders.. 

[Jim Baird]

On 7/22/2020 at 7:31 AM, Les said:

I am 75.  My man brings this to the site for me with his pick-up truck. 

My tree guy used one of those last year.  His reached 60 feet.

[ejager]

I have been using telescopic ladders for a quite a few years now and won't be going back to hauling anything else through the house to get into the attic. Works well for most bungalows as well. My back, arms, shoulders, have never complained about my decision.

My first one had a single release that allowed the whole thing to collapse back down... I did get nervous about that one and replaced it with one where I have to release every rung separately. I carry a JAWS for two storey homes where I can't straddle the ridge of a lower roof to get up to the second storey.

I'm 6'2" and 225 and have never felt like it was unsafe. I do replace it every three years because the paranoia here eats at me a little and that is how I placate it.

On a side note: I rented a 40' extension ladder for one inspection of a three storey home and that thing wiggled and bucked so much I couldn't believe that it was ever "safety-rated" by anyone.

[Erby]

Well, Les, not everyone has a "my man", so we have to suffer carrying ladders.

[Jim Katen]

OK, Aaron. Here's the ladder for you: 

 

[Bill Kibbel]

I have a 12.5' telescopic that I've used extensively for over 20 years - mostly indoors for attics and getting above ceilings in commercial buildings.  The brand is Extend-n-Climb and never had any issue.  I know many others that have used other telescopic brands that suffered some pretty severe injuries.

[Les]

we use mostly Extend and Climb 12.5" and 16'.  been using them since 2004.  They last about 1 1/2 yrs for the chunky guys and couple years for the healthy guys.  

We keep a 32' at the office for hazardous duty. 

 

[TimK]

I have been using the collapsible (to 36") Extend&Climb  Pro15.5' for a couple years with good results and confidence. Once in a while I need to clean the stanchions and every time I use it I take the time to look for the green indicators to be assured it's locked on each step level. It's narrow enough at the top end to get into those attic hatches that are minimum or under sized, unlike the Little Giant, which I had used previously. http://xtendandclimb.com/products/telescoping-ladders/pro-series/785p.html

[Inspiz]

I have an aluminum ladder at home because it weighs lighter than steel. The Gorilla GLF-5X Fiberglass is also lightweight and pretty good to use too. However the extend&climb is much preferred if you want to reach taller heights. If you want to fit those on the bed of your truck, you can look for truck parts like ratchet tie down or straps to secure it.

[annanikolson]

On 7/19/2020 at 12:13 PM, Marc said:

Would you consider a roof rack?  I've an aluminum 16' extension ladder that I've used for over 10 years. Retracted, it fits into the 8' bed of my pickup, weighs about 17 lbs but rated only for 200 lb loads.  HD has one rated for 250 lb loads that weighs 26 lbs.

I will not mount a collapsible. I wouldn't trust it with my life, much less my coffee machine.

We also have aluminum 16' extension ladder, and is very comfortable and always works.

[Bill Kibbel]

I'm a bit limited on the max ladder length my car can carry.

[Steve M]

I have 3 ruptured discs, so carrying a ladder is something I have to be careful about, so less weight is more for me...

Little Giant Hyper-lite ladders are the lightest in the industry I believe.

Type IA (300lbs) 28lbs for a 16ft extension ladder (8ft 6in stored):

https://www.littlegiantladders.com/products/hyperlite-tall-ladder?model=18720

And their King Combo is a type IAA (375lbs) weighing 17lbs at less than 5ft stored.(6.9ft max working length, 10ft max reach)

https://www.littlegiantladders.com/products/king-kombo

I love the hyper-lite ladder series from these folks.

Edited January 25, 2023 by Steve M

[Bill Kibbel]

I had an MRI show 2 of my disks 'exploded'.  I hope you can get some relief, Steve.

I have to use a 28' ladder almost daily.  I also have a 32', 20' & 16' for occasional use.  I'm sticking with aluminum.  I think they're all probably lighter than LG's 'HyperLite' line.  For example, my Werner 28' is 38 lbs.  The 28' LG HyperLite is 50 lbs.  It's also out of stock and ugly ServePro green. 😝