Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Ladder Learning

I'm looking for a good ladder to have around the house. I've looked at some Husky brand, which are standard ladders...about 6 ft. Recently, I have seen an expandable ladder up to 13 ft by Gorilla. Any thoughts on these over the traditional ladders?

Welcome to the DoItYourself.com forums Longtodolist :)

I've got that 13ft Gorilla ladder. It has done me wonders for use of inside and outside of the house. If I had to buy a ladder again..I'd get the same one. The option to adjust the size is great and it's really sturdy.

Just make sure you "need" the 13ft. If not, I'd opt for something smaller.

The only issue I have with it is just personal. I'm small, short and have little muscles (and I'm a gal...) and found at times I needed to move it here and there constantly in one day, up and down stairs, in and out of the house, in and out of the truck... THAT really wore me out. Handy and cool, but I'm definitely looking for another ladder that's not that heavy and that I can use as an alternative.

Since you're looking for one for just around the house...I think this would be good.

I've got a pair of Little Giant ladders (similar to gorilla, I think) and I'll second what DIYaddict says about their weight. And I'm a man! They are my least favorite ladders, and I only get them out when, because of space constraints, I want to have one ladder that will do it all. I also use them when working on staircases, because you can set one set of legs longer than the other.

For all intents and purposes a pair of standard step ladders will do everything you want to do. If you plan to set up a scaffold plank between two ladders, (the sliding aluminum planks are awesome for this) you might upgrade to the ladders that have steps on both sides. Just makes it easier to walk up both sides of the ladder if you want.

Compare the weight ratings on the ladders you look at. Don't even consider a ladder that is rated 200 lbs or less.

If you need a third opinion, I agree with the others on the weight of the Gorilla/Little Giant$$ ladders. They are stable, adaptable, reliable and HEAVY. Ladder of last resort, when a good Werner fiberglas step ladder is available.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will go for the Gorilla. The tallest I'll probably need is about 10 or so feet comfortably, so the additional 3 ft won't hurt, but i do have that one stupid overhead light at the top of the stair well...over the steps of course!

Anywhos...I appreciate the advice, and I'll let you know what I think of the weight!

I'm sure I'll be back, since I'm a first time home owner now!!:wall:

The Gorilla seens to be a good idea for man to increase his working range.
I now have an expandable(sliding) 10 foot and a 14 foot.
The quality of either is fair at best; but these are necessary for working on the side of the house...and the roof.
I also have three "work" ladders, one 6', the second a 5'., the third a 16"..
When I purchased the 5, there were NO 6 footers available..little was available back then.....


Ladders have improved a lot, but at a price...of course..

I've loved my little giant for years, the commercials say it all, it is a great, "only have one ladder solution". I'm sorry you think they're heavy, but heavy is a relative word, to those who push papers all day, I guess they are. I rebuild locomotives, (not a lot of small parts) they don't seem heavy at all.

I'm looking for a good ladder to have around the house. I've looked at some Husky brand, which are standard ladders...about 6 ft. Recently, I have seen an expandable ladder up to 13 ft by Gorilla. Any thoughts on these over the traditional ladders?

Husky and Gorilla are both private label brands that are made in China with a low wholesale/high retail cost.

Gorilla is a Little Giant knockoff, and the manufacturer has made design changes because of infringement on the Little Giant patents. It used to be a carbon copy, now it looks more like a Werner with the crimped and riveted rungs.

The Little Giant is no heavier than the same size tall A frame ladder it replaces, yet it is much more useful while taking up the storage space of one ladder.

Husky fiberglass type 1A ladders have minimun support spacing on the "back" side, and feels less stable than other designs with support bracing spacing that matches the climbing side. The gelcoat is thin, and I have noticed fiberglass bits poking through on a relatively new Husky ladder purchased by my current employer.

There is no way I would ever buy a Chinese made ladder for my own use as long as there is a US made alternative. Unfortunately, employers do not have the same regard for my safety, and they want to save a buck, so I use that equipment with extreme care.

A ladder purchase is not the place to save money. Do not buy "homeowner grade" type III rated junk. All things being equal, you will be safer and more comfortable on type 1A or 1AA ladders.