Ladders

Wondering what size/type extension ladder you guys find most useful for your bat, squirrel, etc, jobs? And do you prefer aluminum or fiberglass. Thanks.

20 ft. and 32 ft. if you can handle it. Fiber glass does not conduct electricity and is stronger if you can handle it. JMO

22ft multi position ladder
24ft exten
32ft exten
Little Giant Ladders King Kombo Fiberglass 12.7-ft Reach
all on the truck

You will find you will need ladders of various lengths to do your work. I started years ago with one of those little giant ladders. They are heavy but they adjust to many heights and allows for some awkward access work that rigid ladders won't work in. I believe the one I got was a 24 ft. maxed out.

It can be adjusted for normal ladder use or you can hinge it in the middle to use as a bi pod step ladder. You can climb from both sides.

It can be folded down to fit easily in a truck bed with no need for a ladder rack. In time I had to add on rigid ladders of all sizes to fit each situation better.

I prefer aluminum ladders over all. Fiberglass ladders are heavy but are handy for use around electrical line work. I only have one 16 ft fiberglass ladder.

When I used to do sealup almost exclusively, I carried 3 ladders. 20ft fiberglass extension, 32ft aluminum extension, and a 6ft step.

Now, I do sealup and pest control. I carry a 22ft multi position, and a 13ft multi position. They both fit in my bed so I dont need a ladder rack. If I need to, I throw a 26ft multi position in the back.


My seal guys have a 13, 22, and a 32 on their truck.

That little 13 is a wonderful ladder. Itll get into all the closets so I can hop up into the attics.

I use a 17’ articulating ladder for most jobs. It doubles as a step ladder for accessing attics or working under eaves. I also carry a 24-foot light weight aluminum extension ladder and a 300 lb-rated aluminum 32 footer for when I need to get higher. I also take the 24 footer apart and use it with a ridge hook when necessary. For special situations, I have a four foot chunk of ladder equipped with a ridge hook so I can scoot along the peak installing ridge guard, etc. if the pitch doesn’t allow for walking.

I use them, but hate ladders.

Using a nice new aluminum extension ladder with adjustable legs at the base to adjust the pitch of the ladder and even a level on the base, I limit my climbing to one story up to the chimney top to clear out starlings and raccoons.

In my barn is a long fiberglass extension ladder that I would sell cheap. I am very strong, but this ladder is way too heavy for a one man operation.

Stores around here sell ladders and no handy extras.
I need a stabilizer for the top of the aluminum extension ladder.
I need pads/bumpers to prevent marring the wall or fascia.

Can anyone share information about a useful ladder that will fit in a Ford Super Duty short bed (81”) with the tailgate closed? Maybe one of the Little Giant ladders?

Best wishes!

A little giant 26' leveller will fit.

Little Giants are heavy pigs. I use a Werner 24' aluminum 3 extension ladder. It's light and easy for one guy to handle.
www.homedepot.com/p/WERNER-24-ft-Aluminum-3-Section-Compact-Extension-Ladder-with-225-lbs-Load-Capacity-Type-II-Duty-Rating-D1224-3/203274668?mtc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD22%7C22-8_LADDERS%7CGeneric%7CPLA&cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD22%7C22-8_LADDERS%7CGeneric%7CPLA--58700003830574769-&msclkid=9894ff75df6f136c05c3a03ac4506d8b&gclid=CJOs1pDNyesCFYs6fwodcsgDKw&gclsrc=ds

I really liked the slightly shorter 16' Werner. It would fit in a 6' short bed truck but it was a couple feet shy of covering my needs.
www.homedepot.com/p/WERNER-16-ft-Aluminum-3-Section-Compact-Extension-Ladder-with-225-lbs-Load-Capacity-Type-II-Duty-Rating-D1216-3/203070980?mtc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD22%7C22-8_LADDERS%7CGeneric%7CPLA&cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD22%7C22-8_LADDERS%7CGeneric%7CPLA--58700003830574769-&msclkid=8243f8e34d8f1f710795a7ac56642c3f&gclid=CK3d6ODNyesCFYgTfwodIHQNiw&gclsrc=ds

Thumper,
Thanks for the reply. I will check out their website. Is it heavy? Are customers impressed when you pull a tall ladder out of your truck?

Wildflights,
Thanks for the info. I have never seen a 3 section aluminum ladder. Are customers impressed when you pull an extension ladder out of your truck? I will check it out.

The aluminum extension ladder that I bought at Lowes is plenty heavy. My fiberglass ladder is too heavy for even two guys to handle.

Many of my customers live in an area where the driveways are wickedly steep with half up and half down. No way will I drive because there is never anywhere to turn around without going in the garage. Either way I haul gear up and down. Earlier this year I did drive down a driveway for trapping, exclusion, and a porch enclosure. I needed to haul down tools and materials. The only way to do it was 4wd Low and back down. My truck shows percent of slope - it was 18% - yikes!

Another customer has a lakefront house. Groundhogs were living under the waterfront storage building for lawn furniture. From the road down to the house was 4 switchbacks. To the water and storage building was 3 more switchbacks on a concrete lane. I used my 4 wheeler with a large rack to haul in 5 cage traps and fencing material. It was so steep that I made 3 trips to break up the weight.

I've had multiple customers remark, "You were supposed to bring a ladder." Then get real surprised when I pull 2 ladders from the bed of the truck.

Eaten, my favorite is “we’ve got a ladder here for you setup!”

Always either some rickety old fruit picking ladder, an ancient aluminum ladder or my favorite the other day customer sets one up before I arrive in upstairs bedroom to go into ceiling attic access.

I walk in and he points and says “is that high enough for you to get up?”

I look and he has a 6’ folding step ladder under the hatch which is 7’ above the top of the ladder.

I’m 6’2” but come on! Lol!

Have on the vehicle at all times a 32’ and 28’ aluminum extension ladders. 1-2 of the werner little giant style, two xtend and climb which are super handy and compact.

I could use longer ladders but anymore go toward lift use rather than trying to get places above 32’ with ladders.

Do very little work on single story homes.

I don't know if they're impressed or not. Had more than one surprised at how far a short ladder will reach. It's handy and lighter than most. Had to hit several Home Depots to get what I was looking for. Even if they showed up in a stock search, they were often not on the shelf.

For folding ladders, I use three legged fiberglass. Three legged ladders are very stable on uneven ground. Just don't extend your weight out at 10 and 2 o'clock. Even better if you can point the step side at your work.

Great ladder adventures!

I was doing a bird exclusion job when I bought my nice new aluminum extension ladder. I had been leaving my old ladder because of the long carry down the driveway. When I carried down the new very safe ladder with the leg adjusters the customer asked what I was going to do with my old ladder that looks so useful. I said that she was welcome to it so I did not have to carry it back up that cliff of a driveway.

Now, just a question...

Are you opening yourself up to some sort of legal hassle if the customer has an accident on your old ladder?

28’ aluminum
16’ glass
Both with xtenda-leg ladder levelers added.

Eaten - The long exaggerated answer = I formally transferred ownership as of a certain date and time subject to all defects, hazards, and conditions both known and unknown. They signed a formal waiver binding on them, heirs, and assignees.
The short and truthful answer = No, because it is no longer my ladder. I am not responsible for their ladder or actions.