John Dirks Jr Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Which telescoping ladders do you think are the best overall? I know I've heard of some failures of some kinds and I'd like to avoid ones with potential faults. If they come in different heights, I don't need a really tall one. Just something that will keep me from using my Little Giant 26' unless I really need it to go higher. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I thought they were all a bad idea. Given Mike's recent accident, I don't believe I even want to consider a telescoping. Not that it caused his but that it contributes to the chance of an accident. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I thought they were all a bad idea. Given Mike's recent accident, I don't believe I even want to consider a telescoping. Not that it caused his but that it contributes to the chance of an accident. Marc I did not know about Mikes accident. Can you point me to a thread link about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I would only use Xtend & Climb. I use mine at least once every day, but usually several times each inspection. I use it mostly to set up on roofs to get to higher roofs. I just make sure that each rung locks securely when extending. When retracting for the first time, you will pinch something - lesson learned. I would never use Telesteps or any of the knock-offs/fakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I just searched TIJ for "telescopic". Previous discussions show Xtend & Climb only has problems with a fella that's much heftier than us. Telesteps be scary. The results also date my Xtend & Climb as having been in service for about 9 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I too use and like the Xtend & Climb. I've had it for maybe 6 years or more. I let it get wet once and that screwed it up. I contacted the manufacturer and they sent me a new one for free. A few times when not paying close enough attantion I only engaged the lock on one side, it still held me, but getting the one lock unlocked again was a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I too use and like the Xtend & Climb. I've had it for maybe 6 years or more. I let it get wet once and that screwed it up. I contacted the manufacturer and they sent me a new one for free. A few times when not paying close enough attantion I only engaged the lock on one side, it still held me, but getting the one lock unlocked again was a pain. Do you mean submerged or simply caught a few raindrops? Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I just searched TIJ for "telescopic". Previous discussions show Xtend & Climb only has problems with a fella that's much heftier than us. Telesteps be scary. The results also date my Xtend & Climb as having been in service for about 9 years now. I bounce around between 175 and 180 lbs. There's not enough of me to stretch the weight limits of most ladders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 785P is on my wish list. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JIL4Z ... ot_redir=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosier inspector Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Do the telescoping ladders comply with ANSI/OSHA? Click to Enlarge 42.44 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Do the telescoping ladders comply with ANSI/OSHA? X&C is compliant with OSHA, ANSI, UL & CSA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I'm on my second one (780P). Wore the feet off the first one and couldn't get replacements so I bought another one at Sherwin Williams when they had it in sale. I use mine mostly inside the home to get up into attics. The 12.5 gets most of those tall garage attic hatches. You can extend the ladder and bump the access panels over and out of the way, and I find that the vinyl bumpers at the top of the ladders don't mark up paint. Spraying Pledge on the side rails once in a while will keep the thing lubricated nicely. The 780P has a 300 lb rating so it is really strong although I would never set it at more than a 30 degree angle. I don't use mine outside unless I really need to as this is a pretty narrow ladder and you don't have the sideways stability like with your Giant. When you put it up inside an attic access it can only slide over and hit the side of the access. On a rain gutter it could just keep on going. Let me know if you want to borrow mine for an inspection, I'll drop it off for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Thanks for the offer Charlie. Through the generosity of a loved family member, the birthday ferry will be dropping a 785P in my driveway in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I too use and like the Xtend & Climb. I've had it for maybe 6 years or more. I let it get wet once and that screwed it up. I contacted the manufacturer and they sent me a new one for free. A few times when not paying close enough attantion I only engaged the lock on one side, it still held me, but getting the one lock unlocked again was a pain. Do you mean submerged or simply caught a few raindrops? Marc I used it it the rain and the put it in my van wet. It was a couple of days before I pulled it out again. Pledge lemon wipes is good to lub and clean it with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I have the X&C that is rated for 300lbs, it is a little heavier but built with more gusto than its little brother. The only issue I have with it, is that when it is fully extended and it is time to retract the sections it can look like a modern dance routine when you are trying to close it! I highly recommend wearing gloves when closing it! I have the 780P model, I think I paid $249 for it on Amazon last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjeffzehnder Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I have two versions of the little Giant ladders, one that i use inside or on a lower roof to reach a higher roof (it is a 17 foot when fully extended) and the big 26 foot one they sell that get used outside. They are both rated enough to support my 250lb mass and light enough to haul around. Before i purchased the 26 footer i used a 32 fiberglass ladder that has just gotten to heavy for even me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I know you guys get sick of me and the good old days, but the first telesteps I bought was in Columbus Ohio at a ASHI meeting. it cost me $900 and nearly wrecked my marriage! it lasted a couple years, broke, replaced, broke, replaced and then broke the final time. I still have it in my deer blind with plenty of screws thru the tubes. PS: I weight abt 5/8 of Nashville friend! Svelte 201lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Ain't gitten' tired of stories about the old days. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 785P is on my wish list. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JIL4Z ... ot_redir=1 That is the one I carry. Mostly for attic scuttles, and low to high roof jumps. Works well, but it is heavy. I'm 6'2" and weigh around 220. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkenney Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Consumer Reports also judged six 12-and-a-half-foot telescoping extension ladders "Not Acceptable": Telesteps 1205 Types IA, I, and II (discontinued but may still be available), 1600 Types IA and I; and Xtend & Climb 770. Consumer Reports did not report on other telescoping ladders by Telesteps or Xtend & Climb, but a stepladder by Telesteps was very highly rated. Separately, CR notes that safety standards for consumer ladders are not mandatory. Instead, there are voluntary standards published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that outline types based on a maximum weight. http://www.kcbd.com/story/5251323/consu ... oavailable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 The only problem I've had with my X&C is when it's cold. It doesn't want to nest back together !! I'll have to try the Pledge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 My Werner MT15 is very similarly sized to the 785 open and closed, but it's lighter and cheaper. I think I'll be sticking with a folder. At 6'2" and a deuce and a quarter there are no light duty ladders for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Consumer Reports also judged six 12-and-a-half-foot telescoping extension ladders "Not Acceptable": Telesteps 1205 Types IA, I, and II (discontinued but may still be available), 1600 Types IA and I; and Xtend & Climb 770. Consumer Reports did not report on other telescoping ladders by Telesteps or Xtend & Climb, but a stepladder by Telesteps was very highly rated. Separately, CR notes that safety standards for consumer ladders are not mandatory. Instead, there are voluntary standards published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that outline types based on a maximum weight. http://www.kcbd.com/story/5251323/consu ... oavailable Consumer Reports are political hacks. I'll pass on anything they have to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 The only problem I've had with my X&C is when it's cold. It doesn't want to nest back together !! I'll have to try the Pledge... Be careful, the Pledge is great but it will make it slide like a new French Guillotine! I'm a petite 6'1" and 260lbs.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Consumer Reports are political hacks. I'll pass on anything they have to say. Any organization that puts Behr paint at the top of the pile is suspect to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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