What Size Ladder

[Terry Porter]

I'm a recently licensed HI in Texas and currently am trying to get the business off the ground.

Looking at purchasing a Little Giant ladder, but was wanting to get input from you guys as to which size y'all use. I'm honestly looking at the 26' model as it would allow me to get on many single story roofs in a typical position.

Any advice or recommendations y'all could offer would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Terry Porter

[sspradling]

I use the 17' LG 90 % of the time. It's easier to move around inside a house. It's lighter to move around, period and it gets me onto almost every roof I want to get on. Easy to pull up and reset to get onto 2nd story roofs also. The other 10% of the time I either use a 28 extension or I stay on the ground.
Stu

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I use a 17' LG. If I can't get on a roof with that, it's a good excuse not to go. (You are not required to walk a roof.)

Gravity is unforgiving of mistakes. I never go on a 2 story roof. I do not walk steep pitched single story roofs either.

[Ted Allen]

I have a 17' LG and a 21' Gorilla.

I know I am going to catch hell for this, but I feel safer on the Gorilla......... Duck!

[Erby Crofutt]

Get both the 11 or 12 foot Little Giant and the 21 or 22 foot Little Giant.

The little one works on most houses for me and is great for getting into attics. Occassionally, I'll have to pull out the big one, but not often.

OK, so I cheated and bought the little one as a wal-mart knockoff for $96.00. It's sturdy, I like it, and it has held up well over the last several years.

[mlopezi]

I use a 22 foot for the exterior. And a 6 fibreglass of the attic.

[pdacey]

I use the 12' Xtend & Climb for interior use and 1 story roofs. I also have a 24' Werner extension ladder for 2 story roofs.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Me too, 12.5' Xtend-n-Climb plus an 18'-20' Cosco (Lil Giant want-a-be) that never gets used anymore.

[Brian E. Kelly]

16' AL Climbtec (not fond of metal ladders) for roofs and a 6' fibreglas ladder for indorors. If I need to go higher I use binoculars, but usually I can get up on the patio cover and get higher from there.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I use only the little Giant 17 foot .

I also have a 25 power scope on a try pod for those special looks from afar.

Never need or want any thing else. works fro me . Roy sr

[Robert Francis]

16 ft Jaws and the famous Specoscope

[ekartal5]

I also use the 12.5' Extend & Climb. It gets me on most single story homes. I would not climb a second story roof even if I had the appropriate ladder. It is a business decision I made the day I started and will never change. I feel more secure scaling cliffs in Colorado than I do on the top of a a long ladder. Your guess is as good as mine as to why.

Erol Kartal
ProInspect

[phinsperger]

12.5' Telesteps

[rmoore]

12.5 Telesteps (best tool investment I've made) and the 22' LG. You simply can't beat the Telesteps (or extend & climb) for attic hatches, especially the tight closet ones. Probably 80% or more of the time the Telesteps is all that I use. In fact I leave the LG at home a lot depending on the MLS picture of the home. The 22' LG is a great ladder, but a top heavy handful when fully extended. I'm not sure I could get the 26 footer upright by myself. I think our old friend, Jerry Peck, rigged a pulley system for his so that he could do the final extension in the upright position.

Just remember that no matter what size ladder you use to get on a roof, that's the easy part. It's the getting off that can get scary. During my first year there were a couple of times I sat on ridges with my knees knocking, and seriously considered using my cell phone to call for help. I still walk most roofs but I'm a little smarter about my limitations now.

Your comfort level may vary.

[scosta]

17' Jaws and 12 1/2' extend and climb