We need a ladder to gain access to the top of our van while on the road. The ladder needs to be a min of 3m. Has anyone any experience using the 3.2m (10ft5) telescopic style climb ladder as advertised on Ebay. Looks to me as though they bend, which I suppose is the clearance of each sliding piece. Also they are not sold in shops, why, safety?
Any other ideas in this area ?
I do have a very solid folding ladder at about 3.6m but its very heavy.
Hi Tony, didn't think you would make Seabird, thought you were over East. We have a heavy schedule at that time, we may pop up for the day be good to catch up. But yes it sounds like the ladder I mean.
Hi Mike, I sortta feel the same way, they are not sold in the shops, and there has to be a reason, however the ladder does fold up nice and compact, and it is lighter than the one I have. Our van is fiberglass, and the service instructions say it has to be polished regularly to Ï think" to stop chalking. there are also solar panels that need cleaning, and I also can put the Sat dish up there when required, So I feel that we need to access the roof top.
Being the Jayco Silverline off roader (and no I won't take it off road, wouldn't dare), it has the higher suspension, any ideas welcome though.
We have one of the telescopic ladders - and we bought the 150kg one (able to carry 150kg person) it hasn't ever "bent" - goes up and down easily -easy to store, lightweight and stable.
I presume this is what you are looking at -we got ours from Mitre 10 - had it about 5 years/
__________________
jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
As said they are good if you are careful, I always extend the larger sections of the tubes it doesn't flex as much that way.Had mine for six years no problems (off ebay).Trevor.
Price would be a good indicator, my gas service man used one last year to get into roof area, but his was around $300 . There are several cheapies, plastic where it should be metal?
check the weight of unit prior to buy. cheers Craig
We have one of the telescopic ladders - and we bought the 150kg one (able to carry 150kg person) it hasn't ever "bent" - goes up and down easily -easy to store, lightweight and stable.
-we got ours from Mitre 10 - had it about 5 years/ - v ery stable, no bowing or anything when a biggish man climbed it.
As with any tool or utensil we use - we all need to use plain old common sense - she'll be bonza mate!
__________________
jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
If you are over 65 you shouldn't be up a bloody ladder so my medical accredited son tells me.
What a load of rubbish, used ladders all my life, as a Firefighter and as an electrician, currently waltzing around my roof at home repairing broken tiles I'm over 70, do it you are able.
I bought mine about four years ago off eBay for $139 free freight. Used fairly often without issue and still working excellently.
However, I agree with earlier comments - I leave two, three or four 'top' rungs closed (dependent on how high you want to extend the ladder) so that it raises leaving the 'narrowest' rungs closed at the top ... and be very careful when closing as it can easily catch carelessly placed fingers.
Other wise I have found it an excellent bit of kit for getting access to the roof etc with a minimum of fuss. Sits nicely on the rear bumper
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 16th of September 2017 11:22:32 AM
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
If you are over 65 you shouldn't be up a bloody ladder so my medical accredited son tells me.
What a load of rubbish, used ladders all my life, as a Firefighter and as an electrician, currently waltzing around my roof at home repairing broken tiles I'm over 70, do it you are able.
So the message I am getting, is buy the 3.7m ladder, but don't extend the last lot of rungs. The problem here is that the 3.2 is .8m folded, would sit nicely in the canopy, but the 3.7m is 1m folded, does not fit into the canopy standing up.
I am ATM trying to organize the canopy with tanks, bins, tool boxes, table and chairs, and the rest.
Now on another slant, the fold up ladders, I saw how one camper was using it as a bench, but also one can stand on it as a tressel type stand. Likely to be practical?
Thanks Mike, that ladder looks like it has metal locks rather than plastic. I have emailed Mitre 10 waiting for a reply. Will put in an enquiry at the Ladder shop as well.
this is a screen shoot from the findlay.world web site. great range of all sorts of products and terrific to deal with. the ladder has been one of my best purchases pete
Well, what a timely post! I just sold my 3.2 telescopic ladder for $60, cost me $108 about a month ago.
They are heavy, when lifting the legs will slide down unless the velcro strap is attached, they are heavy, the legs tend to stick when trying to let them down, they are heavy, the catches are plastic, they are heavy, the rail at top for straightening the ladder is a bit sticky, they are heavy.
I'm 66, so I shouldn't be using a ladder anyway apparently. I had enormous problems carrying the thing and setting it up, but that's because I have PsA and have largely lost the use of my hands. So, the wife, she wasn't a fan either, said it was heavy, said it was heavy, said it was heavy, said it was heavy and difficult to use.
Worst $108 I ever spent, but someone got a bargain - $60 for a ladder that had been used once.
-- Edited by toglhot on Tuesday 19th of September 2017 10:20:13 AM
Oh dear, I know how it sounds, they really let you know whats on their mind. My other half just says "the rungs hurt my feet" with our present ladder, "the rungs hurt my feet" will probably be the same with any ladder we have, "the rungs hurt my feet", well wear appropriate foot wear, "the rungs hurt my feet" Stop! I'll get up the ladder to save your feet!!
I bought one in 2006 at Home Depot in Hawaii and brought it home with me as luggage, weighs 12KG, stores under the bed in the Caravan it is 3.6 M, 12 Ft , have used it many times, never used it fully extended but as long as you have it on a sensible angle would not be a problem. I use it mainly for washing the roof of the caravan, it cost me about A$180-00 at the time , they appeared on E-bay here a couple of years later was still a bargain for the use I have had out of it.
Like every other "Tin Bum for a Teddy Bear", we tend to carry for the just in case, to cover our bums - Absolutely best thing we put in when TSHTF, But how often does the "Tin Bum" remain packed in getting in the way and travelling the great brown land on a free ticket.
In fact most of the essential gear that I carry, tend to get used helping someone else travelling without a pack of band aids or a care in the World. The Red-X Trials days are over - with SHTF pack, modern communications and a roll of Gaffer Tape ready to take on any country road.
__________________
Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I think the ladder I have is 15kg, is an early fold up type, very strong and rugged, it is a case of storage space though, and so the telescopic is lighter and more space efficient. I will be taking quite a bit of stuff that may be classed as unnecessary, but intend to do my own van service, and also continue doing mods that I haven't had time to complete. May also do the minor service on the ute., but am getting older, so may have to let that one go through.
Do not ask how I know about trapped fingers 
