telescope ladders

[chip*]

Hi,

I need to change the garden lighting which will require a ladder.

Thinking to buy a telescope ladder primarily for the storage convenience, and I saw this one on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Telescopic-Multi-Purpose-...

Is this one any good, or is there a go to brand for this product?

It will only be used approx a handful of times per year, but I still want to buy a decent ladder that won't compromise my safety!
Thanks

[Belle427]

I hate those with a passion, how high are we talking?

[blueg33]

I recently bought a very similar one as i needed a ladder that I could fit in the car. Mine is 5m when extended. Its excellent, better than I thought it could be, however, you have to be very careful closing it up as it trapping fingers is highly likely and painful - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Overall, I am very please I bought one and wish I had bought it earlier. I have had it for 1 month and spent 2 whole days up it painting facias.

[chip*]

Belle427 said:

I hate those with a passion, how high are we talking?

Roughly 12 foot high to change the garden lighting.

[surveyor]

Seller called 'cheaper online ltd'. I would want some solid assurance that these are properly built and tested, before I relied upon them.

[CLK-GTR]

I've got both telescopic and regular ladders.

The telescopic one is great for around the house but anything above one storey and it flexes way too much for my liking.

[blueg33]

surveyor said:

Seller called 'cheaper online ltd'. I would want some solid assurance that these are properly built and tested, before I relied upon them.

I am pretty heavy (working on that) at 94kg. The one I bought has been fine with me up and down it all day. Wider more stable base than a traditional ladder, way more portable, stiffer.

[Bluevanman]

There was a recall for some versions bought off eBay a couple of years ago, something about a failsafe device being missing, eBay told me to return it to the seller but it had been some years since I bought it and it had worked fine for me so didn't bother.
Still use it occasionally,watch your fingers when lowering

[LooneyTunes]

chip* said:

Belle427 said:

I hate those with a passion, how high are we talking?

Roughly 12 foot high to change the garden lighting.

3 metres? I have a pair of telescopics that are handy for getting through houses and into lofts. Zero chance I’d use them at those sorts of heights outdoors.

Get yourself a decent set of commercial extendable ones from someone like Lyte. Commercial spec ladders aren’t much more expensive than consumer grade ones but are so much more robust and confidence inspiring.

[zalrak]

This came up on here last year and I added my thoughts on them, they haven't changed:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Dangerous things in my experience.

[Riff Raff]

CLK-GTR said:

I've got both telescopic and regular ladders.

The telescopic one is great for around the house but anything above one storey and it flexes way too much for my liking.

That's my experience too. The one I have is a bit wobbly at the top when it's at full extension. On the plus side though it packs away small, and fit's in a saloon car boot. You pays yer money....

I weigh about 90Kg though: might be less of an issue for a more streamlined person.

[119]

Trouble is, some of them have the spacing between the rungs too far apart.

https://youtu.be/sCzbLtRDV_Q?si=7HaYNu3QHzZ1JQNT

Edited by 119 on Wednesday 12th November 13:05

[surveyor]

blueg33 said:

surveyor said:

Seller called 'cheaper online ltd'. I would want some solid assurance that these are properly built and tested, before I relied upon them.

I am pretty heavy (working on that) at 94kg. The one I bought has been fine with me up and down it all day. Wider more stable base than a traditional ladder, way more portable, stiffer.

I have one too. I just would not be buying one based on price. Hurts when they fail.

[chip*]

It didn't take much convincing , but I think I will just buy a normal collapsible ladder.

The link posted above seem to have a decent one from Screwfix, so I will go for something very similar.

Thanks for your comments!!

[Wacky Racer]

Death traps....seriously.

OK if you are only going up no more than three metres, and ALWAYS rest on a firm flat wall.

Ask me how I know.

[Lotobear]

As a surveyor I've used these for years and not really had a problem with my first set.

However I was suckered into buying a cheap set from Amazon last year (as I will shortly retire) and they are st and borderline dangerous - the rungs are too far apart and the construction is very flimsy.

I'd be wary of anything that's less than £100 personally.

[Belle427]

I have a 4 section foldable and its been very handy, woild not use it as a platform to stand on etc but no complaints really.

[wolfracesonic]

I don’t think I’d feel particularly safe using ladders from Amazon and I’m someone who done some pretty sketchy ladder based antics over the years. BS EN 131 is what you want to look for, either non professional or professional.

[wolfracesonic]

I don’t think I’d feel particularly safe using ladders from Amazon and I’m someone who done some pretty sketchy ladder based antics over the years. BS EN 131 is what you want to look for, either non professional or professional.

[AlexGSi2000]

119 said:

Trouble is, some of them have the spacing between the rungs too far apart.

https://youtu.be/sCzbLtRDV_Q?si=7HaYNu3QHzZ1JQNT

Edited by 119 on Wednesday 12th November 13:05

I was thinking of this exact video as I read the first post.