Customer Reviews

Telesteps 1205 12-1/2' Telescoping Ladder

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Like one of the reviews posted previously, I use the TeleSteps ladder for inspection. In that regard, it really has no equal; when it's all knocked down it is the smallest possible package in a quality ladder. When set up, it's a genuinely good 12 and 1/2 foot ladder. It's very light, sturdy and both well-thought out and made with a high degree of manufacturing quality.

Having said that, I will mirror what other reviewer state: If you don't read AND FOLLOW the instructions, you can/will find yourself in a bad place in a hurry. You must always start unstowing the ladder FROM the bottom, not the top (yes, they say you can start at the top if you're deploying it to the maximum extension. But I'd err on the side of conservative with this ladder). And at each rung, as you're raising it, two little detents pop into place. You must make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that these two little detents are LOCKED. Honestly, it might add up to a total of one whopping minute to make certain this is done, so in my opinion it's totally worth the time to ascertain that they have done so. If you do this, this is one nice ladder. If you get in a hurry, you may be in for a surprise. After reading the one reviewer that took a spill, I've gotten into the habit of double checking every detent, just to be sure.
If I had any suggestion for the Swedish manufacturer, it would be to somehow make the detents a bright safety red or something that would be visible, only when they're safely locked, so a user could easily see that the detents are adequately locked.
It's genuinely as 'high tech' a ladder as you can get and an godsend for inspection purposes. I can easily put it in the trunk of any car and the ability to selectively determine height is a handy feature. Highly recommended, extremely well made, but more than most products, one that absolutely requires you to read and follow the instructions.

This is a great tool for limited applications. 1st - I wouldn't put more than about 200 lbs on it. 2nd - it is fine to get yourself onto a roof or into an attic, but it is not solid enough to work from. 3rd - you must follow the instructions in opening it, especially being sure that every section locks in place, or it will collapse under you (I've heard several stories of this happening). 4th - keep it well lubricated with silicone spray (I carry a silicone spray can with the ladder at all times). I have used it satisfactorily for about three years. If you recognize its limits and are willing to work within them, the ladder is very useful. If you expect more from it, you will be disappointed and could get hurt.

The photo on Amazon of the Telesteps in use shows it being opened improperly. The product is to be extended from the bottom, since extending from the top does not lock the sections and is unsafe.

I work in a hardware store and have sold a number of thesebeauties...too bad I don't get a commission! ;-) The first time I sawit demonstrated, I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd stepped into an infomercial. This is truly a great idea for someone who has limited space, can't haul an extension ladder into a congested environment, or simply don't have the means, ie., ladder rack, to haul the thing around. You can literally throw it in the trunk or the back seat of the smallest of vehicles. Or say you have a loft but you want to store the ladder in the closet. Piece 'o cake.

Now the downside- If you don't carefully click each rung as you open it up, you could end up on your head like the above reviewer. And the other reviewer was right about the photo! Raising it from the bottom up is critical. And when bringing it down- WATCH YOUR FINGERS!

I think this ladder is rated a Type II- which means it can handle 250 lbs. total. Not great, but adequate for most. I have to confess now that I might think twice about leaning it- fully extended- against an interior rafter. Better to use a 12' stepladder or better yet- scaffolding...

I loved this thing while tearing off and reroofing from the rafters up my 40 year old roof. Until the darn thing gave on me and tumbled me head first on to my brick patio! Eighteen stiches and six months of healing bruses later I have some thoughts on this thing.If you paint or use other glue like compounds the ladder needs to be cleaned completely after each use or the latches may not engage completely. In marginal lighting conditions you will not be able to tell the difference. Don't use it in the partially raised position--if one latch gives you might have time to catch yourself if the ladder is extended fully.Hey get a good fiberglass ladder and save time and peace of mind!

What a jewel. I don't think I've seen a more versatile ladder, ever. The Telesteps allows me to adjust it to any height, up to 12 1/2 feet, and when I'm done, it collapses down to a neat, easily stored package of 2 1/2 feet high.

Somehow, I've always been delegated the high-elevation dormer glass cleaning chore. This meant I had to get the extension ladder from the garage, and get it into position in the house without breaking knick-knacks and scratching woodwork. Now, I simply get the Telesteps ladder and adjust it to the 11 1/2 foot position and off I go. When I'm done, I pull the release levers, and the ladder collapses back down to it's 2 1/2 foot dimension. The only thing that could make it better is if I could adjust it by pushing a button!

The design was great; but the manufacturing was lousy. We bought one <4 months ago and have used it no more than 10 times in light duty conditions; one of the latches is already not locking, it appears that the black plastic "gasket" has slipped for about 1/8-inch, it can not be coaxed back in place. If you buy this product, make sure you register it with the manufacturer, you may need to make use of the 1-yr warranty.

A a building inspector I enter beautiful homes on a daily basis. This compact ladder permits me to take a clean ladder into the home for access to attic spaces and other areas. Stored inside my work vehicle there is no dirt to apologize for. Also I save time. I no longer have to tie a long cumbersome ladder to the roof of my vehicle. Compact, fast, lightweight and clean. The Telesteps telescoping ladder is all of these. Plus, it is one of the highest quality tools that I own. My only wish is that it was available in 16 foot length.

I bought this ladder about 8 to 10 years ago to use in my business. Thank goodness I haven't needed it that often as after only a few uses, the plastic sleeves that align the sections started unseating causing the ladder not to be able to fully "nest". You can take off the feet at the bottom and pull the sleeves out until you get to the one that has unseated and gotten misaligned, reseat it, which is not always easy, replace all the others above, making sure that each one of them is properly seated, and it will then become useable again for a few more times, if you're lucky.

The idea here is wonderful and when it works, it is a godsend. When it doesn't, and it didn't with increasing frequency, it is quite the opposite. I did buy this ladder quite some time ago and I would hope that this engineering flaw has been corrected.

The best part of this ladder is how easy it is to get into tight spots. The second great thing is how peaple react to seeing me set it up. I would note that my model 106 10.5 foot ladder is most stable with a weight no greater than 180lb when fully extended.