[mufcglen]

Hi guys I'm determined to get my ladders off the van and get rid of certain jobs that need ladders like difficult windows or gutter clears, I only want some ladders for above ground floor extensions etc, what are the telescopic ladders like for occasional use?
I've heard stories of them collapsing etc😳
Any recommendations too

[Smudger]

Yes they do, most are the £50 to £70 quid cheap Chinese things with supposedly en131 classification on them, having used them I reckon it's all balony. I've removed all the sets from our vans and unit.

If you are getting some go for a respected make like zarges.

The multi ladders are a good compromise fold down into a small heat stack for storage and are strong to use

Darran

[bobplum]

try little giant ladders

[SB Cleaning]

I've had a set from maplins for 2 years and have had no problems with them...ideal for gate hopping and flat roofs etc

[stan stansfield]

if you are doing a job use the right tools ie proper ladders

[mufcglen]

Cheers guys, thing is there's only for single floor extensions conservatorys, I'm really trying to get off the ladders now, not just the time it takes unhitching them off the roof of the van  but then I can use an excuse to customers asking for ladder jobs!!
I'd rather just stick with the wfp now, stay safe and make more money

[Smudger]

Well if you use  the cheapo sets you'll defo be "off the ladders"

I've had 2 sets fail, they collapse on one side so over you go, fortunately both failures were noticed before climbing up them.

They are also for access, not sustained periods of working on ( even 5 mins ) depends on how you view the risk and reward.

Darran

[rosskesava]

Why is there a need to remove the ladders?

Mine live on the roof rack slowly turning black from traffic fumes. They aren't in the way and when occasionally needed, they're there.

[oldman]

try little giant ladders

^^Overpriced....

These from 'Screwfix' are half the price of 'little giants' and do exactly the same....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-7-treads-4-43m/64728

[mufcglen]

Cheers guys, reasons to remove them are mainly to just get off them altogether for the higher jobs and then I won't have an excuse to pull them off the roof when there's a nice gutter job need doing, I have more than enough window jobs to not need the gutter cleans any more, then every time I do need to get them off the roof off my transit I have to get my little platform out the van to climb up and unlock then unbolt the ladders, it's all time consuming for the sake of a single floor extension, I just feel it would be easier with some sort of folding telescopic ladders in the van as long as they was safe without collapsing even though it's just first floor height I don't want to be using anything that could go faulty!!!

[Clever Forum Name]

try little giant ladders

^^Overpriced....

These from 'Screwfix' are half the price of 'little giants' and do exactly the same....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-7-treads-4-43m/64728

Is that the smallest they go then ?

[Blackadder]

I use my telescopic ladders a lot, you do get the odd creak and click here and there but I try to keep them clean, they haven't failed me...yet.

[EandM]

Have a telescopic ladder that sits behind the seat in my truck. It's great for all my flat roof access but if was cleaning many upstairs windows I'd use a proper ladder.

[mufcglen]

cheers pal yes i would use proper ladders if i had to go upstairs but these will be occasional use, i think i have 4-5 a month in my round where they have that one window thats a bitch to get to!
ive seen some by a company called xtend and climb and they do trade ladders, screwfix sell them and ive read comments that british gas guys use them for loft checks etc so i will be looking at those, suppose its like anything in life theres cheap crap and decent gear, just dont want to risk my neck lol

[slap bash]

I find they are heavy and they do claps some will not allow them on site.

[Joey Eastwood]

had a maplins set for 2 years now, used here and there constantly and still going strong, ordering a replacement  simply because of their age and because i can, haha

[oldman]

try little giant ladders

^^Overpriced....

These from 'Screwfix' are half the price of 'little giants' and do exactly the same....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-7-treads-4-43m/64728

Is that the smallest they go then ?

No....they do a smaller version.....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-5-treads-3-23m/28124

[8weekly]

had a maplins set for 2 years now, used here and there constantly and still going strong, ordering a replacement  simply because of their age and because i can, haha

I've seen those. They look like they are made from plastic.

[paulben]

was given a telescopic ladder prob a cheap on ok for loft access but fully extended bow a lot feels horible

[dazmond]

Cheers guys, thing is there's only for single floor extensions conservatorys, I'm really trying to get off the ladders now, not just the time it takes unhitching them off the roof of the van  but then I can use an excuse to customers asking for ladder jobs!!
I'd rather just stick with the wfp now, stay safe and make more money

i wouldnt trust telescopic ladders.im 17 stone and 6ft 2in though!

i stick to my normal 3.5 m trade ladders and 8ft single pointer.i use them every week albeit only a few times.

i split them to get over the odd gate

the occasional flat roof

8ft pointer for leaning over to unbolt a gate

sometimes i need them to get up close to a window for scraping if they have dried on egg/paint or silicon etc.

i need them for some conservatory roof cleaning


as for gutter clearing jobs i tell the customer point blank i dont offer this service anymore as i fell off my ladders a few times(which is true)