Customer Reviews

Little Giant 10103LGW 300-Pound Duty Rating Ladder System with Work Platform, 22-Foot

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've had my Little Giant for four years. It is always the first ladder I go for because it can do almost anything. I've used it for trimming and picking fruit trees, working on a wall above a roof, general construction, painting and handywork. It has even had a 450+ lb. guy on it without creaking!

The ladder is much more stable than a conventional step ladder, due to its splayed lower legs. It is also more stable against a wall in the extention mode for the same reason. Each side is independently extendable so it is great on sloping surfaces. It can be climbed from either side in the step ladder mode.

The best thing about it is that when it is fully collapsed, it stores in about the same space as a five foot step ladder. It will also stand by itself, so you don't need to lean it or hang it on a hook. It easily lays in a pickup bed or accross the back seat of a full size car.

Wing also makes a "work platform" for this ladder that adds to its versatility. You climb above it and kick it out to stand on. You can use it as a tool or paint platform on the opposite side of the ladder. There is a way to assemble the ladder as two independent step ladders to hold a scaffold, with the "work platform" mounted between the two bottom sections keeping them spread apart.

If you only want to buy one ladder, this is it!

I've never used any of my other ladders (other than my 2' one) since getting this one. Sure, it's flexible for uneven heights (across sunken living room, stairs, uneven ground outside, etc.), but what I like most is that it is rock solid!!! The additional "work platform" is very nice to stand on for long periods of time or to set tools on (i.e., consider two if you're on your ladder much). When not fully extended, the overlapping steps create a broad step under foot. It is only a little bit more expensive than a ladder with an equivalent rating (250 lb, versus 150 for many ladders), and only a little heavier. Folded, however, it is easy to carry vertically simply by sticking your shoulder between two rungs and grabbing the second rung below with your hand.

We first saw this ladder at a home show demonstration and thought it was awesome. [...]The ladder system is intuitive to use right of the box. Its aluminum channel construction is a bit heavier than cheap ladders in the usual home stores,,, but it is very stable; the spread legs make it quite resistent to sliding over; and it flexes very little even when fully extended. As an A-frame it is rock solid and does not shake at all. The ladder comes with a metal anti-slip platform that can be positioned on any step and used as a large ledge for prolong standing or to hold tools. The ladder latches and joints are steel parts and very solidly lock in. I like everything about this ladder! To the best of my knowledge there is no comparable ladder generally available.

I had seen the ladder on infomercials prior to purchase. Then I investigated it on various web sites. It seemed too good to be true, though the price is a bit steep. I was not dissappointed. The stability and ease of use is unparalleled for a ladder. I have used extension ladders, articulated ladders, and I have a multipurpose step/extension ladder and none are as versatile or as stable as the 19' Little Giant. My only complaint was there was some cosmetic damage to the ladder during shipping, because the packaging was not adequate.

I've used the Little Giant on several projects since receiving and have determined it is far from convenient to use. I don't share the benefits given by the other buyers and have started using my standard step ladders again for convenience sake. You will find the Little Giant is "heavy" and cumbersome to move around.

I'm a big guy - about 260 pounds and most ladders aren't very steady when I'm up there. This ladder is solid as a rock. I was truly shocked the first time I climbed up there. I was about 7 feet up and I ~tried~ to rock the ladder and it wouldn't rock at all. My wife tried it (she's not too keen on climbing ladders) and she thought it was great. If you need a ladder, buy this one - it's worth the money.

These ladders are everything their fans claim they are: ingenious, versatile, and well made. However, because they are also heavy and expensive, it is important to buy as much ladder as you need, but no more. Be aware that if you have a 2-story house with 8' ceilings over a crawl space or basement, the 17' model will only reach to the bottom of a typical 2nd story window. On the other hand, I'm not sure I'd want to own a ladder much longer and heavier than this model. I'm a reasonably fit and strong guy; I can set and raise my conventional 28' extension ladder alone. But I'm pretty sure I'd need a partner to handle the longest LG type 1A model. The 22' type 1 model probably would have been better for me because it is only 1 pound heavier than the 17' type 1A, at about the same price, yet it could get to the eaves of my 2-story house.

In my opinion, these ladders excel as step ladders, but for many people will not be a good replacement for a long, rope-raised extension ladder. The best features are their relative stability and the ability to raise the 2 halfs of the A-frame unequally, so you can position it close up to a wall or on a stairway. Plus you can use the system as a scaffold.

The price is very high, but I checked out the cheaper Gorilla ladders at Home Depot and they seem to be even heavier. Furthermore the 2 sections did not raise apart as easily (as though they were not precisely machined). I give the LG 5 stars based only on the product itself[...]

This is one of the best ladders ever invented for the price. My husband is so frugel(Cheap Chowd), he would never buy one for himself. So, I decided to surprise him with this ladder. Compared to what he is using now, an old wobbly (firewood!)ladder, which scares me to death, this is a much better ladder. However, the packaging was sub-par at best. [...]Great pricing though!! My husband now FINDS reasons to use this ladder!!!!

I've had this ladder for about six months. Up until this past weekend, I'd really only used it once. I spent about six hours with it this weekend though, trimming an overgrown shrub in my back yard. I had ample opportunity to work with it, haul it around the yard, set it up this way and that, and, of course, stand high on it and work.

What really impressed me was how solid and stable it felt. I'm not big on heights and especially dislike shaky ladders, but I felt quite confident working on this one. It simply did not move.

The ladder comes with a manual and a video showing how to operate it. Like many things, it's easier to get the hang of it than the instructions would suggest. Work with it for a few hours, and the process of unfolding it, extending it, etc., will become second nature.

For those worried about its rigidity because it has multiple joints: don't be. Obviously you'll want to pay attention and make sure things snap into place as they should. Exercise that minimal amount of care and you'll have no wobblies.

Truth be told, I'd prefer to give this ladder 4 1/2 stars, docking it a half-star due to its weight. If you're tired, letting it down from its fully extended position can be a bit exciting (happily, it's engineering to catch itself before things get too far out of control). It's beefy, it's not lightly made, and you'll notice it at the end of a long day.

But, personally I'd happily take a few extra pounds, if it means feeling like I'm standing on a rock. If stability is a concern for you, this ladder definitely deserves your consideration.

My painter remembered to bring his shorter ladders, but forgot his longer one. I quickly pulled out this little bundle from the garage, and my painter hasn't yet shown up with his own ladder. I have to check him each day to make sure he hasn't "accidentally" taken my ladder with him, because he keeps threatening to.

Unlike other folding ladders like this that we've both tried, this one is lighter and extremely easy to operate.