Customer Reviews

12 Foot Telescoping Extension Ladder

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this ladder because I have a 30' travel trailer, and I need to access any exterior part of the trailer for maintenance purposes, but I have limited cargo capacity to carry a full-sized ladder. Overall, this ladder fits that need perfectly. It lets me reach any part of the trailer, and it collapses into a small form factor that stows away very easily. But it has a safety issue.

You can use the ladder out of the box - it is intuitive, but it also has strong warnings cautioning you to read the manual before using the ladder, so I did. I suspect someone in China, with no English capability, was tasked with translating the instructions, and so they used an on-line translator. I don't mind this sloppy kind of instructions for a barbeque, but a ladder is a different matter. Not only is the translation grammatically impossible, the information you can glean from the instructions is WRONG. You are therefore better off to rely on your first instincts, throw away the manual, and figure it out by trial and error.

This ladder has 12 telescoping sections that lock into place when a pair of spring-loaded pins (left and right) that protrude through hidden holes in the ladder when adjacent sections are pulled apart to their maximum extension length. The spring loaded pins are not perfect - sometimes one side does not engage at a rung, so for safety sake, you *MUST* confirm using your fingers that each and every pin has slid sideways into the hidden holes. This is such a basic safety practice, yet it does not appear in the fragmented instructions that came with my ladder. This is the reason I give this ladder 3 stars, not 5.

I discovered this flaw when I first tested the ladder, and suddenly the left side started to collapse while the right side remained extended, and my ladder started to topple sideways. Thankfully it was a lower pin that had not engaged, and I was only a few rungs up, but had a much higher pin failed to engage, I might not be here to write this review. Now I always check every pair of pins manually after adjusting the height - EVERY TIME!

As for everything else, the ladder works very well. I weigh 200+ pounds, and the ladder has no problem handling my heft. It does flex a limited amount, but not enough to make me worry. It is very easy to extend and retract, and the heavy duty Velcro strap makes carrying it around in its fully collapsed configuration easy to do with just one hand. The only thing I noticed about it is it has a pair of plastic feet at the bottom of the aluminum round rails, both of which have gone missing after only a few uses of the ladder.

I recommend using this ladder, but only if you are a safety minded person (like me) who has the discipline to verify the pins have engaged *EVERY* time you adjust the height. Murphy's Law says it is the one time you don't check that will kill you.

The ladder itself is quite heavy. However I would not recommend it if you're planning on using it while holding a chainsaw or anything else that could hurt you. It is not all that steady feeling and exhibits a bit of bowing when fully extended.

I bought it primarily so I can wax my 12'9" high motorhome and it works perfectly for that. Because of the way each step section collapses into the section under it and that they have to be done from the bottom up it would be very easy to get your fingers mashed. I think laying the ladder on the ground and collapsing it SLOWLY may be a safer alternative.

A friend of mine paid $250 for the exact same ladder except for the stick on labels. the price was right!

Spend a bit more on a better brand name ladder. When closing the ladder after only hacing it for 3 weeks one of the plastic switches used to take down a rung broker off. Not even sure how to get a part replacement since it is a "generic" ladder.

I received the ladder in 5 days. Was exactly as described except the first time I used the ladder I was about 8 foot up and the ladders snapped in half!!! I landed on my back on the concrete. Luckily just bruised. I would not Rex this ladder to anyone!!!! Said it has a 300 pound limit and I weigh 195 pounds so obviously it didn't work out how they said
DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!

Very nice. It is great for my small condo... It does have some flex that you have to get used to, but after that it is great!

I got this ladder to be able to get up to my third row of clothes - about 12 ft tall to the bar (or more). It works fine, and all my 170 lbs feels stable on the ladder, which ends up being over 20 lbs. The packaging it comes in is fine. Right out of the box, I understood telescoping up just fine, but when it came to telescoping down, I was afraid I was going to lose a finger. I've now worked out a method and all is well. Just be careful of your fingers.

2nd one I've bought, I'm a contractor with limited room in my work truck, this product is great, tucks away in small area, but gets me on every roof & up in attics I need access to. Great item, must have tool for all contractors.

This ladder is lightweight and easy to carry
around. Sometimes in opening out the steps
one or more of them sticks, which is
aggravating. It is still usable, but not as
easy to maneuver up and down with steps stuck
together.

Great product for a very reasonable price. I did have a minor issue that immediately resolved with great customer service. I would absolutely purchase products from Buyers Choice USA in the future."

We love it. It is just the right zise when folded
down to fit in the camper so I can check the roof.
The ladder is very sturdy wish I would have know about
these earlier. Great find.