Multi Position ladder comparison

[RAV2]

I am thinking about buying a multiposition ladder. This is for typical homeowner tasks.

I am looking at the Harbor Freight vs the Werner units. Though a quality product, I believe the Little Giant is excessively expensive.

I will probably lean toward the 17' model as HF (currently $108 with my coupon - but if I wait I could get if for $96 w/coupon), HD ($170), and Lowes ($180) have this length.

I am also not a light guy so I will need a sturdy unit.

I also like the attachable platform (step) and this appears to be available from Little Giant for about $40 or Werner for $35.

Platform - http://www.lowes.com/pd_218938-287-A...orm&facetInfo=

HF - http://www.harborfreight.com/17-ft-t...der-67646.html

HD - http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ryId=100658952

Lowes - http://www.lowes.com/pd_251378-287-M...Multi-position

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[jbrain]

I have the Gorilla brand ladder that is a copy of the Little Giant. I picked it up and either Lowes Or Home Depot. It has been great. Very strong. 2 people can work on it from each side. I have never used the actual Little Giant so I can't compare. One downside is that is is pretty heavy.

[cabinetman]

I am thinking about buying a multiposition ladder. This if for typical homeowner tasks.

HF - http://www.harborfreight.com/17-ft-t...der-67646.html

HD - http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ryId=100658952

Lowes - http://www.lowes.com/pd_251378-287-M...Multi-position

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Those three look very similar. I had one like a Gorilla type that was stolen off one of my jobsites. It was heavy and very hard to manipulate. I would suggest you give each one a little handling to see which one is best.

.

[sscherin]

I had the Werner 13' for 9 years. Good ladder.. locks work well and it's sturdy.
After it melted in the shed fire I picked up the Werner 17' model HD had on sale for black Friday..

I have no complaints other than it's a little heavy but that is true for most multi ladders.

[cwsmith]

My son recently bought the HF ladder (about a week or so ago). Got it for something like $109 with coupon.

We looked online and also checked out Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart (Costco brand) and HF. HF definitely had the best price, but one thing that we were hesitant about was that the website says it only has a 90-day warranty, which is significantly less than everybody else.

However, the HF ladder is actually labeled "Vulcan", and instead of just the advertised 90-day, it is a 2-year warranty. It is also ANSI and OSHA approved as a Type 1A ladder, weighs about 40 lbs. Like most everything these days, it is made in China. Website is: http://www.vulcanladderusa.com/17-Mu...S-17T11G1.html

I hope this helps,

CWS

[LinuxRandal]

Since the patent has expired on the design, I see it more as if you want and can afford a USA made one, or an import. Little Giants, now have wheels, but I bought a kit from them so I could add them to my Werner. I went with the Werner, after researching and finding out it was 10lbs lighter. I have two of the MT26 models, the first was off of Ebay and the closest the price has ever been to that was their Spring or BF sales. The second was when a damaged freight store had a pallet of them for $135 (figured two with a plank was less then scaffolding and I could sell when I decide I am done).
My father, brother and b-i-l all have the 17' little Giant. It just wasn't the right size for me and at around $400 difference, the Werner was a no brainer. I've been told there is a little size difference, but haven't verified that yet.

[jAngiel]

Just before Christmas I purchased the Werner 22 foot one which was considerably cheaper than the 17 foot version. Ive had the 13 foot costco version for years but it just wasnt as tall as I would have liked. I really like the 22 foot one, it opens to a really tall step ladder. I think I paid $128 for the 22 footer.

[frumper64]

Another vote for the Gorilla 17 foot multiposition ladder. I got it at HD several years ago and other than being a bit heavy to carry around it has been great. Very sturdy and it came with the stand on step for around $70 at the time.

[jseklund]

I've had the Costco 17' ladder for years and love it. I weigh about 280 and it is sturdy enough to hold me while carrying things. I've abused the **** out of it (left it out in rain and snow quite a bit) and it works just fine.

They sell it at Walmart for about $140 but if you are a Sam's Club Member, you can pick it up for about $100 there.

[RAV2]

Done deal ...

Picked up the HF ladder yesterday.

Pricing was kind of weird. Store was displaying a sale ticket of $135. I used my coupon and expected the price to be about $108. It correctly rang up at $108. Receipt stated I saved $69 from an original price of around $170.

Needed some other item from Home Depot and stopped by on the way home. Nothing in the ladder department would come close to what I paid as the nearest comparable item was around $180.

Ladder was well packaged and is a Vulcan as is noted in several other online sources. Also as stated previously, comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty and is certified to a couple of industry standards.

Used the ladder to take down my Christmas lights. This is usually a task that takes 3 ladders and I was able to complete all of the removal with this one ladder. I tried to quickly manipulate the ladder into the positions like they do on the videos and things went pretty well. The ladder weighs about 38 lbs and though labeled as 17’, is more like 14’ (number provided by others – I did not measure it). The ladder is quite sturdy and even when I used it at full extension to go to the peak; things stayed pretty stable.

NOTE: YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL STORE IF INTERESTED -- THIS ITEM MAY NOW BE DISCONTINUED. There was no mention of this at the store but the link no longer works and the item is no longer listed on the HF web site.

I think this item will be a good addition to my stable of tools and a good use of the gift card I had from the holidays.

[cabinetman]

NOTE: YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL STORE IF INTERESTED -- THIS ITEM MAY NOW BE DISCONTINUED. There was no mention of this at the store but the link no longer works and the item is no longer listed on the HF web site.

You're right. They don't show any ladders. Maybe it's a liability thing.

.

[RAV2]

It's baaaaaack!

Next month's sale paper is offering this ladder for $135:

http://www.harborfreight.com/17-ft-t...der-67646.html