ladders (1 Viewer)

[ronidog1]

My van , especially the roof, needs cleaning. I am looking for a set of telescopic ladders as I think they would be safer to use than step ladders. Any suggestions what to look for and where to buy them?

Thanks

Ronidog

 

[movan]

I just bought some at the Stratford meet. . . For the same reason. soft padded ones.

 

[ronidog1]

Thanks but what make and who sells them?

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[movan]

@Indy259 ... can you remember please?

 

[movan]

Thanks but what make and who sells them?

You get them at the shows but Screwfix also sell them. At the shows you get offers especially on the last day.. mine were reduced to around £40 from £99. If you start a thread WANTED ..Ladders .. you MIGHT get lucky if a funster is selling some...

 

[Charlie]

What I can tell you about these telescopic ladders and please bear in mind I have 45 years experience in the building trade using ladders EVERY day is that the cheap telescopic ones are nothing short of Tom Tit.

Buy only a premium brand EN (trade rated) ladder. Trust me you health and well being will depend on it.

Roof cleaning I'd dangerous at best and best left to the professionals. If you must do it yourself buy/borrow/hire a good tower scaffold and reach in from that.

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[Charlie]

You get them at the shows but Screwfix also sell them. At the shows you get offers especially on the last day.. mine were reduced to around £40 from £99. If you start a thread WANTED ..Ladders .. you MIGHT get lucky if a funster is selling some...

Please please please take care on a forty quid set of telescopic ladders . Decent ones cannot be made for 40 nicker honest !!!!

 

[two]

Why telescopic? Do you plan to clean whilst on tour?

 

[ronidog1]

Please please please take care on a forty quid set of telescopic ladders . Decent ones cannot be made for 40 nicker honest !!!!

Thanks
But that begs the question. What should I look out for and who do I trust to sell me a good pair?

My van is a panel van so only 8ft high or so. and the ladders seem a lot safer than steps. I think that a tower scaffold might be a bit over the top.

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[ronidog1]

Why telescopic? Do you plan to clean whilst on tour?

Just thought they would be easier to store! No intention of taking them on holiday.

 

[Charlie]

Thanks
But that begs the question. What should I look out for and who do I trust to sell me a good pair?

My van is a panel van so only 8ft high or so. and the ladders seem a lot safer than steps. I think that a tower scaffold might be a bit over the top.

When I bought our PVC a 2013 Autosleeper on a Peugeot Boxer there were two similar vans both with two dents 14 inches or so apart at the uppermost rear panel where the reversing cameras go. Both vans damaged by ladders or the use of ladders by people with no experience.

Why do folk assume they need no experience or training to use ladders ? Maybe the answer is at A&E ?

I know a very experienced now old chap who has brain damage from falling of a pair of steps. A chap who had 40 years in the roofing trade.

A good telescopic ladder will be EN marked. No EN walk.

Small tower over the top (excuse the pun) ? You tell me ...... As the old adage goes..... if you have a ten bob head wear a ten bob helmet ...Mmmmm

 

[FJmike]

Ladders can so easily cause damage to you and your van. Use a platform, this is the one I use

OK not cheap but you get what you pay for, in this case a quality item

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[ronidog1]

When I bought our PVC a 2013 Autosleeper on a Peugeot Boxer there were two similar vans both with two dents 14 inches or so apart at the uppermost rear panel where the reversing cameras go. Both vans damaged by ladders or the use of ladders by people with no experience.

Why do folk assume they need no experience or training to use ladders ? Maybe the answer is at A&E ?

I know a very experienced now old chap who has brain damage from falling of a pair of steps. A chap who had 40 years in the roofing trade.

A good telescopic ladder will be EN marked. No EN walk.

Small tower over the top (excuse the pun) ? You tell me ...... As the old adage goes..... if you have a ten bob head wear a ten bob helmet ...Mmmmm

Whoa I think that this is going a bit far... I only asked for some advice from those with experience. There are nicer ways of supporting people...

 

[Indy259]

@Indy259 ... can you remember please?

I cannot remember the name but when I saw article in newspaper I thought of you

 

[Indy259]

I've just looked at full thread, the article said some collapsible ladders were damaged and causing users to fall and hurt themselves.

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[sid1234]

£79.98 all in. Amazon product ASIN B01LXDKZ2U

 

[Allanm]

If you get a good set of telescopic ladders, make sure you put some thick foam around the tops of the legs to stop the ladders damaging the bodywork. It helps stop them slipping too.
I've used ladders myself with sponge pads, but I now have a set of a Little Giant 6 rung (Revolution XE) ladders. I used them to clean and polish the roof of my van, 3 metres up. Expensive but great quality and you can use them around the house too.

 

[Neckender]

I have the top rung and sides covered with external pipe insulation which is quite thick and soft on my
Telescopic ladders.

John.

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[Armytwowheels]

£79.98 all in. Amazon product ASIN B01LXDKZ2U View attachment 173862

We use this set up, but have to admit he mainly just uses the ladder part, in addition to ladder mitts.


When we looked into extending ladders they all came up heavier than the above kit.

 

[Pausim]

I bought a short telescopic ladder from Maplin, which has proved to be solid, reliable in use and easy to store. I believe they do a longer one too. My wife made up a soft cover that fits the top step snuggly, we leave it on permanently, even when collapsed and stored in it's carry case.

 

[glenn2926]

I use a three metre high set of stand steps. Much more secure than a ladder leaning against a polished, painted surface. Very large base area and a step to put the bucket on. As has been said be careful not to lean too far when using a ladder of any sort.

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[ronidog1]

By stand steps do you mean step ladders? I find step ladders wobbly and as you are sideways on to the van it is difficult to apply presseure to stubborn spots.

 

[glenn2926]

Yeah step ladders. Mine have a very wide base as they are really for industrial use. I have them on semi permanent loan from my brother who is a sparky.

 

[Gromett]

If you use ladders, remember to secure the bottom. I used to use mine on the back of the van and attach a rope from the 3rd or so rung up to the tow point.

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[two]

Have you considered a 3way combination ladder? Not as compact but may offer a greater range of applications.

 

[Littlewheels]

Why telescopic? Do you plan to clean whilst on tour?

Why not ! We have set and I wouldn't dream of going without them on a 6 month jaunt, they come in handy so many times. Couldn't do without them.

 

[TerryL]

I've got a 3-way combination ladder, great bit of kit but unfortunately the platform isn't high enough to reach more than the first 12 inches! Not stable enough to use in step-ladder mode.

Well padded ordinary ladders are the best to get me onto the roof, taking care. I also bought a set of the (maligned) lighter collapsable ladders at one of the shows which are stowed away under the bed for use in emergencies whilst away (and yes I have had a couple of occasions when I needed them) - I agree they're not suitable for continuos use though.

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[ronidog1]

Ladders can so easily cause damage to you and your van. Use a platform, this is the one I use

OK not cheap but you get what you pay for, in this case a quality item

wat size would you recommend given the comment above about not reaching very high?

 

[FJmike]

wat size would you recommend given the comment above about not reaching very high?

The Three way ladder in my post suits me and I have used in on some large vans in steps configuration. I often use Ladder Mates as recommended by @Wombles , these can stabilise the ladder in any of its configurations. When using it in ladder mode I use scaffold foam to protect the van, being tougher than pipe insulation it won't disintegrate

 

[rangi]

Sorry fellas got to disagree with most of the posts that have gone before.
I use a normal 9 rung extension ladder when I clean the roof.
The end of the ladder is covered with a folded 6metre x 3metre canvas painters dust sheet, roughly 70mm thick when folded.
With the Motor home on LEVEL ground, the protected & padded ladder is placed against the M/H. A bucket of soapy water is placed on the roof of the same, and with a soft Kitchen sweeping brush the roof is washed then rinsed using a hose pipe. If you plan it right you only need to move the ladder twice, AFTER the initial placing. Each time the M/H is protected by the folded canvas sheet.
I have done it quite a few times now with no damage to the sides or back of the M/H.

There is always an easier and simpler way, it's just common sense.

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