Multi Configuration Ladder Systems ? Update
First of all I did a search and read the associated threads, most of which were from 2005 and earlier and primarily related to Little Giant. So, I'm really looking for some current opinions since there are more manufacturers of this type of ladder today.
I have wanted one of the multi configuration ladders for some time for use around our home and now I'm getting serious about purchasing one. I've looked at Little Giant, Werner, Gorilla, and Cosco, and even though they are more expensive I'm gravitating towards the Little Giant because I believe they incorporate better features and their construction seems to be better than the others.
I weigh 165 lbs, so for my use I believe a Type 1 (250 lb rating) will suffice instead of the Type 1A (300 lb rating). So I'm considering the Little Giant Type 1 Model 22 ($249.99) instead of the Little Giant Type 1A Model 22 (399.99). They are identical, except for the weight rating. If I purchase the ladder through the Little Giant website they provide free shipping and do not charge sales tax (except in Utah).
Even though I've pretty much decided on a Little Giant, does anyone have a different opinion, confirmation of my choice, or any other suggestions?
UPDATE
For anyone interested in the conclusions I reached in purchasing one of these ladders, here is what I found. I compared similar Little Giant, Werner, Cosco, and Gorilla products.
Besides needing the basic conveniences that combination ladder systems provide, I needed a combination ladder that was capable of being configured up to a 9 foot A Frame ladder (minimum) in order to reach recessed lighting in ceiling areas of our house, so I only focused on ladders with this capability. Of the ladders that met my needs I narrowed down my selection between the following ladders:
Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 (250 lb weight capacity) $249.99), ladder weight 39 lbs
Little Giant Model 22 Type 1A (300 lb weight capacity) $399.99, ladder weight 42 lbs
Werner Model MT-22 Type 1A (300 lb weight capacity) $219.00, ladder weight 50 lbs
Decision Factors:
Both Little Giant and Werner are well made, so that wasn't the deciding factor. Little Giant was the only manufacturer whose ladders are made in the USA; all others were made in China. The Little Giant was the only manufacturer that offered a Tilt and Roll feature so you could simply lean the folded ladder towards you and roll your ladder between setup and storage locations; at 62 and getting older every day this was a nice feature. I'm slightly over 5'11", weigh 165 lbs, and probably won't get any heavier, so my weight and the anticipated maximum load I would carry up a ladder wouldn't exceed the Type 1 (250 lb) weight capacity.
Decision:
Since this ladder will only be used by me for around the house chores I decided on the Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 ladder (250 lb weight capacity), which extends 5 feet to 9 feet as an A Frame (stepladder) and up to 22 feet as an Extension Ladder. I ordered from the Little Giant website since you don't pay shipping or State sales tax (except Utah residents) making it the least cost overall than anywhere else I looked. For $399.99 the Little Giant Model 22 Type 1A ladder came with the Tilt and Roll feature installed and included an add on 300 lb rating Work Platform. The Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 ($249.99) didn't come with the Tilt and Roll feature or Work Platform, so I included in my order the Tilt and Roll Kit ($39.95) and the Work Platform (39.95) making the total purchase price $329.89.
In my opinion anyone considering one of these ladder systems for business or job site use should consider a Type 1A (300 lb weight capacity) or a Type 1AA (375 lb weight capacity). Hope this helps anyone considering a combination ladder system.
I have wanted one of the multi configuration ladders for some time for use around our home and now I'm getting serious about purchasing one. I've looked at Little Giant, Werner, Gorilla, and Cosco, and even though they are more expensive I'm gravitating towards the Little Giant because I believe they incorporate better features and their construction seems to be better than the others.
I weigh 165 lbs, so for my use I believe a Type 1 (250 lb rating) will suffice instead of the Type 1A (300 lb rating). So I'm considering the Little Giant Type 1 Model 22 ($249.99) instead of the Little Giant Type 1A Model 22 (399.99). They are identical, except for the weight rating. If I purchase the ladder through the Little Giant website they provide free shipping and do not charge sales tax (except in Utah).
Even though I've pretty much decided on a Little Giant, does anyone have a different opinion, confirmation of my choice, or any other suggestions?
UPDATE
For anyone interested in the conclusions I reached in purchasing one of these ladders, here is what I found. I compared similar Little Giant, Werner, Cosco, and Gorilla products.
Besides needing the basic conveniences that combination ladder systems provide, I needed a combination ladder that was capable of being configured up to a 9 foot A Frame ladder (minimum) in order to reach recessed lighting in ceiling areas of our house, so I only focused on ladders with this capability. Of the ladders that met my needs I narrowed down my selection between the following ladders:
Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 (250 lb weight capacity) $249.99), ladder weight 39 lbs
Little Giant Model 22 Type 1A (300 lb weight capacity) $399.99, ladder weight 42 lbs
Werner Model MT-22 Type 1A (300 lb weight capacity) $219.00, ladder weight 50 lbs
Decision Factors:
Both Little Giant and Werner are well made, so that wasn't the deciding factor. Little Giant was the only manufacturer whose ladders are made in the USA; all others were made in China. The Little Giant was the only manufacturer that offered a Tilt and Roll feature so you could simply lean the folded ladder towards you and roll your ladder between setup and storage locations; at 62 and getting older every day this was a nice feature. I'm slightly over 5'11", weigh 165 lbs, and probably won't get any heavier, so my weight and the anticipated maximum load I would carry up a ladder wouldn't exceed the Type 1 (250 lb) weight capacity.
Decision:
Since this ladder will only be used by me for around the house chores I decided on the Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 ladder (250 lb weight capacity), which extends 5 feet to 9 feet as an A Frame (stepladder) and up to 22 feet as an Extension Ladder. I ordered from the Little Giant website since you don't pay shipping or State sales tax (except Utah residents) making it the least cost overall than anywhere else I looked. For $399.99 the Little Giant Model 22 Type 1A ladder came with the Tilt and Roll feature installed and included an add on 300 lb rating Work Platform. The Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 ($249.99) didn't come with the Tilt and Roll feature or Work Platform, so I included in my order the Tilt and Roll Kit ($39.95) and the Work Platform (39.95) making the total purchase price $329.89.
In my opinion anyone considering one of these ladder systems for business or job site use should consider a Type 1A (300 lb weight capacity) or a Type 1AA (375 lb weight capacity). Hope this helps anyone considering a combination ladder system.
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They are a pain in the butt! If you have room for a regular sized ladder, BUY THAT! I didn't have the room, so I bought a folding type. Annoying to unfold it every single time I want to use it.
Merc0 -
I will be curious to see your responses Old-Colts.
I have been thinking of getting a Little Giant also. They look good on tv.
I have lifted a Gorilla ladder at the Depot and it is heavy!
I know that for interior painting, which I do a lot of, I would just use my six foot step ladder, not heavy and easy to handle.
But for that exterior work that Little Giant sure looks good.
As for heavy, my 300 pound rating aluminum 24 foot extension ladder is a heavy beast! I doubt the Little Giant is any worse.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mercury
They are a pain in the butt!"Pain in the butt", yep, that's kind of what I thought, but I do like the versatility! I have a 6' stepladder and a 22' extension ladder, but they also have their challenges and limitations, especially on uneven surfaces. My stepladder is too short to change out lights in the great room of our new home and I don't want to use the extension ladder and prop it up against the beams or the stone wall around our fireplace. So, the "pain in the butt multi configuration ladder" seemed to be the answer and would replace both of them, although I would keep the stepladder for those quick short jobs.0 -
The only folding ladder I have ever used is the Little Giant brand and I thought it was great. 0 -
Allen, I did the lift test at Home Depot and Lowes and they are ALL heavy. The Little Giant Model 22 Type 1 is 39 lbs and the Type 1A is 42 lbs; not a lot of difference, but still heavy when you carry it around and start to unwind it. However, the Little Giant is the only one with rollers to facilitate moving, I believe.
We have planters and slopes all around our house, so the versatility of the multi configuration ladder would be of great benefit.0 -
I have two of the "little giant" ladders.
One is from Werner, it is a 26ft model that can withstand up to 300lbs. Here is a link to it on Amazon where I purchased it.
http://www.amazon.com/Werner-300-Pound-Telescoping-Multiladder-MT-26/dp/B0000VYDI4/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1201625865&sr=8-5
The second one is from Gorilla ladders and is a 13ft model that can also take up to 300bs. This is perfect for in the house where a larger ladder would be harder to use. Here is a link to it on Home Depot, I purchased it locally from a Home Depot.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100064251
Both of the ladders are very high quality and I like both of them. The 26ft model is very heavy however. This type of ladder is heavy across the board but I like the extra features enough to put up with the weight.
I think that if you buy a true Little Giant you will be paying alot just for the name. These two ladders I have are very rugged and well built.
I just noticed you are looking for a 22ft model, here is a link to a Werner from Amazon for $174.83 with 300lb rating. You may get out of sales tax from Amazon, not sure though.
http://www.amazon.com/Werner-300-Pound-Telescoping-Multiladder-MT-22/dp/B0000VYDHU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1201625865&sr=8-10 -
Thanks for the good feedback and information RUGERGUNZ! I had forgotten about Amazon as a source. I'll go back to Hope Depot and Lowes and look at the different manufacturers again, but I do like the "Training Wheels" [:D] on the Little Giant. Since I'm 62 now I like to roll things rather than pick up, pull, or drag them! [:D] 0 -
I have not seen the Little Giant set up but there are these special pieces you have to insert to create two step ladders for the scaffold. These pieces are stored in a separate case on the non-Little Giant ladders. I think, not sure, that this special piece is built into the Little Giant ladders.
I have one of the smaller Gorilla ladders since I don't have a truck and can easily fit it into my trunk0 -
I work out of a 13 foot box van and have four of these ladders in my turck. I have used the Little Giant, The Gorilla Ladder,and the Werner. The Little giant is a well made ladder but is HEAVY in comparison to the others. The Werner is very well made and is probably the best in quality overall. The Gorilla is the lightest of the bunch. The release mechanism on the Gorilla is prone to sticking with heavy repeated use. The adjustments on the rungs of all the ladder loosen over time and makes the vertical adjustment of the rungs troublesome. My ladders get heavy use daily. If using these around the house on a periodic basis they will all give good service. If your using these ladders professionally go with the Werner first, then the Little Giant and the Gorilla last. 0 -
I use little giant ladders at work every day. They work good and take up a small space compared to how tall they can get. One problem is with heavy use and abuse they can get loose and wobbly. For around the home and shop they'll work great. 0 -
Go with the Little Giant and don't sweat the small talk.
Cosco had a recall about a year ago due to failures in their joints, and Werner makes a great straight ladder, but they don't hold a candle to the Little Giant.
My close bud has 2 and has used them every day installing carports, patio covers, window awnings, sunrooms, and like that there for over 26 years with absolutely no problems. Another bro is a roofer that has a multi-story specialty business for the last 18 years, and he has 3 Little Giants and no problems.
Pledge keeps 'em sliding, and there are adjustments built-in to take up any wear.0 -
My father has the Little Giant. We use it at his house. It is HEAVY. Good ladder. HEAVY. In my opinion it is more sturdy and possibly a bit more versatile. But it is HEAVY. If we have an alternate ladder that fits the job we use it instead of the Giant. My $0.02. 0 -
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the advice, opinions, and feedback on your experiences! I plan to go out Tuesday and do one more comparison. I'll provide an update with my conclusions and which one I decided to go with. Thanks again! 0 -
I always carry mine with me where ever I go.
It folds nicely so I can carry it in my pocket.
... rarely ever leave home without it.
[:D]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXtQ64TN9jU&feature=related0 -
[:D][:D][:D]
Now why in the heck didn't I see that one!!!
You must have one very big pocket![:0]0 -
You oughta see what's in my OTHER pocket![:0]
[:D][}:)][:D]0 -
Thanks for that info Old-Colts, I will bear it in mind. 0 -
1 vote for the Type 1A. I had a Type 2 collapse a few years ago - broke my wrist in two places. I weigh 210 - but won't get on anything less than a Type 1A. They cost a little more, and are a little heavy, but the surgery was expensive, and the cast very inconvenient. 0
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