Step Ladder Capacity - Watch out!

txdon · Oct 30, 2006

This weekend we worked on ladders at the TBN get together. I will not buy any of the yellow fiberglass ladders again. Their weight capacity is only 250 pounds. The front legs tend to buckle and bend. Even if you are not 250 pounds by the time you carry your tools and lift things you go over the weight limit easy.

Luckily the ladder Harvey was on fell on my ladder and I was able to stop his fall till help arrived and straighten us up.

The most stable ladder was the one Mike had with rungs going up both sides.

N80 · Oct 31, 2006

That was probably a cheap fiberglass ladder. But you're right, 250 pounds is ridiculous. I'm tall and fairly thin but still weigh around 200 pounds. Add a bucket of paint or a nail gun or whatever and even a skinny guy like me exceeds the weight limit.

However, I've seen fiberglass ladders with much higher weight ratings. They are quite expensive. For step ladders I prefer the fiberglass to aluminum. The aluminum ones tend to 'walk'.

1bush2hog · Oct 31, 2006

Glad to hear you guys are both OK!!!

Sounds like we may need to put Harv on a diet

I weigh more than 250 and hate flimsy step ladders because they are an accident waiting to happen. I ended up purchasing a Gorilla brand adjustable ladder from HD - it is rated at 300lbs and also is 4 in 1 type ladder - check it out - best $100 step ladder around IMO

Gorilla Ladders 13 Ft. Multi Position Aluminum Ladder - $99.00 at Home Depot

scott_vt · Oct 31, 2006

Afternoon Don,
Wow, that didnt sound like much fun

Glad you guys are OK ! Its amazing how flimsy they build some ladders. I have one 40 ft aluminum thats pretty stout 300lbs + and I have a 24ft that I dont think I would want to be any higher than 15 ft and even that scary the way it sways around

Glad it turned out OK

BTDT · Oct 31, 2006

Glad to hear all ok. So where's the rest of the story, with pictures? Did the barn get finished, who all showed up, etc. etc.???

Never mind, I found them in the get together section. Looked like a good time

txdon · Oct 31, 2006

BTDT, glad you found that thread. The wife was actually holding a camera and dropped it and came running to help. The first question I asked after I was "saved" is did you get a picture of that? No.

We continued and finished the Carport/storage building without that ladder.
I just have a few custom corner pieces left to put on and they are being made this week. (I'll post finished pictures in the projects forum next week!)

Bird · Oct 31, 2006

1bush2hog said:
Glad to hear you guys are both OK!!!

Sounds like we may need to put Harv on a diet

I weigh more than 250 and hate flimsy step ladders because they are an accident waiting to happen. I ended up purchasing a Gorilla brand adjustable ladder from HD - it is rated at 300lbs and also is 4 in 1 type ladder - check it out - best $100 step ladder around IMO

Gorilla Ladders 13 Ft. Multi Position Aluminum Ladder - $99.00 at Home Depot

That's exactly what I have. If there's any drawback to it, it would be the fact that it's pretty heavy, but I guess that's part of what makes it so stable.

Highbeam · Nov 1, 2006

The good ol' Home depot sells 20' extension ladders with a 200 lb capacity for like 86$. If I was a politician I would claim that the ladder makers are targeting poor and fat people (maybe children) for harm.

Yes I own this ladder and yes I am a dainty 150 lbs. The next step up in ladder quality was significantly more money and this ladder is just as wobbly as any other extension ladder I've been on. I really am not afraid of heights, I am just afraid of falling.

Dusty · Nov 1, 2006

Purchase a Little Giant ladder and you will never overload it and they are as stable as a rock. I have had mine for over 25 years and have never had any problems with it. They are expensive, but what price do you put on your body? I don't like heights on ladders, but I feel totally comfortable on the Little Giant. Here is a link to a website that sells them inexpensively. I believe that the site is owned by the Little Giant Ladder Company .. Dusty

txdon · Nov 1, 2006

The ladders recommend form up to only a max of a 6' step ladder. I needed an 8' and a 10' step ladder. I looked at Wal-mart yellow ladders (by a different manufacture) and they are built with thicker fiberglass legs but have only a 225 pound capacity - go figure.?.