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I really hate loading ladders up onto my ladder rack. (I don't have a dedicatad truck with the ladders always on it.) I also worry about my ladders being stolen in the big city (it happens). So I was looking at Telesteps telescoping ladders. Are these things any good, or just gimmicky. They are 1A rated, so they can support my weight. I'm just wondering who's tried them, and if I should look into more or not.
-------------------- Ryan Culbertson The Sign Shop at Quick Copies Greenwood, SC
Rock and Roll means well, but it can’t help tellin’ young boys lies. Mike Cooley - Drive By Truckers Posts: 453 | From: Greenwood, South Carolina | Registered: Apr 2007
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I have a F250 crew cab for a sign truck 6.5' bed. So if I want to take the big ladders I've got to haul the trailer with. This is if were going over 16'. Otherwise I have a couple of the ladders that fold up into a four foot lenght and fold out to 16' or a 8' step ladder. They work great and are available at Menards or Home depot. I also have a smaller one that folds into a inverted u shape to use with a saw and you can break it into too pcs and put a plank between them. All of them support my fat butt 274lbs and the 4x8 I'm lugging up them These ladders are almost the same construction as a solid ladder.
-------------------- Silver Creek Signworks Dick Bohrer Two Harbors, MN Posts: 236 | From: Two Harbors, MN USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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I've never used a telestep ladder but I did see them for sale at Costco and they caught my attention. It seemed like a fairly sturdy design worthy of its rating.
-------------------- Gary Boros SIGNWORKS STUDIOS LLC Monroe, Connecticut, USA Posts: 264 | From: Monroe, Connecticut, USA | Registered: Dec 2007
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Home Depot has Gorilla ladders, which are very similar to the Little Giant, at about 60% the price. I read up on them and they seem to be every bit as sturdy. The Little Giant models look somewhat more finished with their plastic caps but I usually destroy the cosmetics within the first couple of uses.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I dont think so, if its not a werner and doesnt weigh a ton I aint getting on it. there is no way i would get on a ladder this tall knowing it has the capability of turnin it self into somehitng 2' tall with my ass on it, NOPE!
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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I bought one little giant type werner ladder worked so well I bought a larget one and than a smaller one for home. I use them on every install that needs a ladder.
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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I have the Gorilla but use the Little Giants and the Werners at work.....All three are identical in specs and performance. The only difference to me was $99-$400.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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I have two Gorilla ladders that I use all the time. Aside from being on the heavy side, which is a good thing, they're very strong. I think those are the ones Dick was referring to. You can take them apart and make a walk-board out of them.
I don't know, Scooter, those ladders may be fine, but I've come to believe the more complicated something is, the more places there are for it to fail. Lots of joints on those ladders.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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I've got one, Scooter. I never did like it. Even when it worked -- it didn't feel safe. The rungs are too small as you go up. Mine got stuck between positions and I haven't been able get it to work.
It's on my list to do to get it working again, and when I do, it will go to my home as a roof access ladder in my attic. It will replace a nailed together 2x4 ladder that we've used in our home for years.
In other words ... don't bother.
I think I would take other's recommendation and take a look at one of those Little Giants.
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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I have a Little Giant and a Werner telescoping ladders. They're much more solid/stable than any stepladder I've used. They're a little on the heavy side but well worth it.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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I have the small one like Dick B. has. It holds a lot of weight and is very balanced. I put the piece of metal scaffold plank on the top and use it. Wow is it light weight and extremely well engineered. I trusted it enough to letter a big truck and that's after I've had a back injury 2 years ago, so that's saying a lot to trust that. It's a real gem!
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Scooter, Head across the bridge to Nall Ladder Co in SF. They have about anything you could dream of to try and could give you the skinny on 'em. Al and Pat Nall. Good folks to get ladders from.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I bought a Little Giant ladder last year, about 20' step ladder when extended. It works well but I wouldn't want to wrestle with it alone. I am looking at Sams Clubs 19' product (that's the extension size) step height is around 9' I think. It's selling for $115 which is the best price I have found around town. My only complaint is standing on them for extended periods. I did buy their step/paint tray adapter which helps.
-------------------- Kevin Mann SignMann Sacramento, Ca Posts: 80 | From: sacramento california | Registered: Jan 2007
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