Ladder Offset or Safety Rails

[treillw]

Climbing up on a few hundred roofs a year for work and want to try to make it safer, so I don't miss out on any hunting (or breathing).

I've been looking at the little giant Epic, with its safety rails. Has anybody used one of these or a ladder with similar safety rails? I like that it lets you step over the top of the ladder and directly onto the roof, instead of around the side. Going around the side always feels like the sketchiest part.

Little Giant Ladders | Epic | Multi-Position Ladder

The Epic™ from Little Giant Ladders® is a multi-position ladder in its ultimate form. Adjust your ladder to meet the needs of your project, so you can work more efficiently than ever. This tough-as-nails ladder is equipped with a variety of features that set this ladder apart from the rest...

www.littlegiantladders.com

Little Giant Ladders | Safety Rails | Ladder Accessories

The Safety Rails™ by Little Giant® is an adjustable wall standoff and walkthrough accessory for select articulated extendable ladders

www.littlegiantladders.com

Also looking into a ladder max stand off. This doesn't seem as good to me. You still have to step around the side of the ladder and it also moves it further away from the roof to make the leap longer.

Ladder Stabilizer | Ladder Standoff | Ladder Levelers - Ladder-Max LLC

On And Off Your Ladder In Seconds. All Of Our Products Are ANSI Tested And Certified OSHA Compliant Shop Now

buyladder-max.com

Any other good solutions I'm missing?

Thanks!

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Might do some shopping around, $$$$ seems a might high. Personally I was never a fan of that type of ladder, but I'm sure they have improved over they years.

 

[treillw]

Work pays for it. Don't care about cost. Want the best.

 

[cody covey]

You should get step throughs for an extension ladder. Tie the ladder off top and bottom and youll have rails to step through at the roof line. Guardian makes the best one.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Work pays for it. Don't care about cost. Want the best.

My kind of attitude.

 

[treillw]

You should get step throughs for an extension ladder. Tie the ladder off top and bottom and youll have rails to step through at the roof line. Guardian makes the best one.

The extension ladders are just a pain to transport.

 

[treillw]

Bump

 

[Drenalin]

My experience with the fold-up ladders is that they're a PITA to deal with. I'd personally prefer an extension ladder with the step through. I know a lot of Johnny Homeowners with Little Giants, but all the roofers I know use extension ladders, for whatever that's worth.

 

[displacedtexan]

The newer Little Giants are much better than the older ones.

And the step through options are so nice.

 

[def90]

Those extending fold up ladders are heavy as shit.

 

[Dust Rider]

The little giant is at least twice the weight of a Werner aluminum extension ladder if not more. Also a PITA to adjust out to length then get vertical. I am not a fan. They have their place but the weight is a deal breaker for me.

 

[ODB]

I would also recommend a standard extension latter and a Guardian 10800:

These slip over the end of the ladder and give you a positive handhold as you walk over the top. Never rest the arms themselves on the roof.

 

[treillw]

The issue I have with an extension ladder is transportation. I'm not putting a roof rack on my vehicles to drive this thing around. It probably wouldn't even fit in the back of my truck right and I have plans to get a rav4.

The little giant is only 38 pounds. Is that really that bad? You guys are packing meat out of the woods, right...?

 

[def90]

The issue I have with an extension ladder is transportation. I'm not putting a roof rack on my vehicles to drive this thing around. It probably wouldn't even fit in the back of my truck right and I have plans to get a rav4.

The little giant is only 38 pounds. Is that really that bad? You guys are packing meat out of the woods, right...?

Packing something on your back has nothing to do with trying to carry a large heavy ladder around someone's home without smashing up the walls and trim. Believe me, I work construction and I've had a couple guys over the years use those ladders and they suck balls.

 

[treillw]

Packing something on your back has nothing to do with trying to carry a large heavy ladder around someone's home without smashing up the walls and trim. Believe me, I work construction and I've had a couple guys over the years use those ladders and they suck balls.

What length aluminum extension ladder would you recommend for getting onto most single story roofs?

 

[def90]

generally a 16footer should get you on most roofs. If you want something that folds up Gorilla makes a fiberglass folding ladder that reacheds 15 ft and weighs only 30lbs.

FXT-15 - Gorilla

15 ft. Reach Twin Step Fiberglass Multi-Position Ladder, 375 lbs. Load Capacity Type IAA Duty Rating

gorillamade.com

They also make a model that is simialr to the Little Giant with an 18ft reach but also only 30lbs.

GLMPXA-18 - Gorilla

18 ft. Reach MPXA Aluminum Multi-Position Ladder, 300 lbs. Load Capacity

gorillamade.com

I've just always found these fold up multi position ladders to be heavy, clunky, difficult to open, close and extend. I would rather put a rack on my vehicle and carry a propper ladder. I've also been up ladders with the walk thru rungs on top and I don't think it was significantly any safer. You are still making the turn around and the first blind step regardless.

 

[Z71&Gun]

You're obviously going to need a ladder rack and extension ladder if you plan on climbing on hundreds of roofs per year. Start there. Then look at step throughs and tie downs. I'm worried about the rest of your setup if you planned on getting on hundreds of roofs with a little giant packed in a Rav 4.