Telescopic Ladders, Opinions Please

I use a folding six foot aluminium ladder add my height I can reach my lazy Jacks support, use for getting on to my trailered boat, secured to trailer when not in use, one less thing to cart about.
 
I have used a ladder that came in sections and could be formed into step ladder(s) for years, but now only use it for small steps, to get to my stern ladder. For boat work now, I find a platform ladder, from Homebase, is much easier and cuts the working time enormously. For access I use a lightweight stepladder. They both fit inside my Audi A3.
 
I bought my 3m telescopic from Maplin and it is excellent. Also fits in the back of my sports car.

Only complaint on using it on the hard when boat ashore is that the plastic pads on the feet wear through quite quickly and not sure these can be replaced.
 
Not a telescopic one but I bought a 4 section folding one that hinges out, it has the advantage that it can be used as a work bench and platform with a fender board on it. Not as towable and small as a telescopic but easily car transportable.

Agreed, a lot more versatile when polishing etc. Unfortunately, many more uses at home too!!
 
Might depend on your weight. At 16 stone, 100 kg I'm on the limit for some of the lightweight ladders and steps, especially if I then attempt to carry something heavy up to pass to someone else.
 
I am also looking for a telescoping ladder and i'm curious how these telescopic ladders cope with seawater. I'm hoping to use my boat's new-found drying out abilities this year (it recently grew a pair of legs) and was thinking a telescopic ladder could be very useful, so long as it didn't corrode away. I found some good options on the website but still need your recommendations.
From the few that I've seen and used I would describe them as very non marine. Mixed metals, steel springs etc and the tubes are close fitting and would have to be kept very clean. I wouldn't rule them out though, very handy.
 
Last year I retired my original by then at least 13-14 years old Swedish Telesteps, which had occasionally had the base stood in up to a foot of seawater, but then washed off in fresh. I bought the new top of the range Telesteps Pro with triangular section legs and soft-close sliders. As promised the new design is more rigid, and has better grip steps, but is quite a bit heavier.

I would not like to trust the cheaper ones for long. The Telesteps are expensive, but you can get spare parts. On my old one I twice renewed rubber feet and once the top caps.
 
This is my telescopic ladder that I modified to use upside down as a extendable MOB recovery ladder.

Never use in anger and due to lockdown cannot access to see how its fairing. Tested it with my 85Kg and seems OK

48967095053_96cdeec0fe_k.jpg


48967627971_16c59d88f2_k.jpg


48967809967_6db9a753c1_k.jpg
 
Top