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step ladder for 16'6"

L

lostfido

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Jul 22, 2022
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Looking for input on a step ladder for my pole barn. Walls are 16 feet 6 inches and I am probably looking at either 12 or 14 foot fiberglass with a minimum of 300Lb capacity. With my height being 6'2" im wondering if I can get by with a 12 or if I need to try and find a 14?
Seems like 12 is common and the 14 is special order around here (Minnesota and Wisconsin)IMG_1186.JPEG
 
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J.A.F.E.

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Sep 25, 2008
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Formerly Area 49 now Area 52
I am 5'6" and have a 12' step ladder when I need to work on my vaulted 15' ceiling. It is just barely adequate but I am also pretty conservative about not using the top two steps. It is also pretty awkward to maneuver and has a fairly large footprint - I image in a 14 would be even larger.

I ordered mine off Amazon - it was delivered free and still cost less than the same ladder at HD and Lowes. Just the ladder with a sticker - no box or packaging.
 
C

cannuck

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Rural SK
I would take the time and spend the money for the 14' if you intend to do any actual work from it. I have some Baker stage scaffolding and hate working from second stage. I have built handrails for that purpose. They are PITA but useful if you give it some thought. Since your floor is wide open I would recommend renting genuine scaffold and boards. Infintely more stable if you have the space. Use locking wheels to make for fast repositioning (on any scaffolding).
 
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L

lostfido

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steves_001 said:
I would go with the 14. With the 12 you are having to bridge 4 ft and that’s a bit much at 16 high. Do you need to get up that high often? Bakers scaffold with outriggers is another albeit spendier option but is somewhat easily stored too.
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Not sure how often I would need it? probably not often but I don't like to take chances. Amazon has some, but not cheap ($1000.00) but free delivery. Any recommendations on brands?
 
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L

lostfido

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steves_001 said:
Well, being this is garage journal, I failed you earlier. You need a man lift. Nothing else will work! Zkdiesel probably has a dozen or so to pick from.
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Trust me, I want one but even my wants wont work for that. The guys that built it had a couple nice rigs but they wouldn't leave them for me
 
A

AEAdam

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I'm a little taller and have similar need. I will probably go 12'. My question is, what will you be doing up there? Insulation and dry wall or changing light bulbs. For me, the difference matters.
 
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micromind

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Fernley, Nevada, about 30 miles east of Reno.
With a 12', you'll be standing on the 3rd rung almost all the time. The 2nd rung would put your head too close to the ceiling and it'd be awkward to do anything.

Placement of the ladder is every bit as important as height. If positioned correctly, you can lean the lower half of your body against the ladder and you won't need to balance at all.
 
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L

lostfido

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AEAdam said:
I'm a little taller and have similar need. I will probably go 12'. My question is, what will you be doing up there? Insulation and dry wall or changing light bulbs. For me, the difference matters.
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Probably lights/bulbs and possibly something with a garage door opener if it were to fail----unlikely but you never know.
 
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dscheidt

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You might consider a multi-position ladder (a little giant or a clone). They're mostly rated for 300lbs (on both sides, at the same time), and you can get one that will be the size you need each time you use it. would work for getting on the roof, too, probably.
 
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rlitman

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Long Island
micromind said:
With a 12', you'll be standing on the 3rd rung almost all the time. The 2nd rung would put your head too close to the ceiling and it'd be awkward to do anything.

Placement of the ladder is every bit as important as height. If positioned correctly, you can lean the lower half of your body against the ladder and you won't need to balance at all.
Click to expand...
ladder.jpeg

dscheidt said:
You might consider a multi-position ladder (a little giant or a clone). They're mostly rated for 300lbs (on both sides, at the same time), and you can get one that will be the size you need each time you use it. would work for getting on the roof, too, probably.
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The largest ones I'm familiar with have 6 rungs per side when collapsed. Those open to 11 rungs per side in an A frame, which is just a bit too short. They claim stepladder highest standing level 8.58 feet, and highest reach 15.08 feet.
 
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mike93lx

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rlitman said:
ladder.jpeg


The largest ones I'm familiar with have 6 rungs per side when collapsed. Those open to 11 rungs per side in an A frame, which is just a bit too short. They claim stepladder highest standing level 8.58 feet, and highest reach 15.08 feet.
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That gut has been cultivated. Lots of time and effort invested
 
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mike93lx

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O

Old tool guy

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Apr 13, 2023
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I have a nice 10 ft fiberglas class 1 or 1a ladder, i spent some bucks 15-20 yrs ago to get a nice one suitable for my weight. When opened the base is really wide … keep that in mind.
 
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Pexto

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You might consider one of the podium-style ladders. I've got a 10-footer and I love it. It is quite heavy, and not cheap, but very stable and secure. You can get wheel kits to make them very easy to move around on a flat floor. A 10-footer might give you enough reach, a 12-footer would for sure.

OIP-3070354.jpg
 
B

Beerhippie

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Far NE Oregon
Pexto said:
You might consider one of the podium-style ladders. I've got a 10-footer and I love it. It is quite heavy, and not cheap, but very stable and secure. You can get wheel kits to make them very easy to move around on a flat floor.

OIP-3070354.jpg
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Wow! That beats hell out of a soapbox for screaming your unhinged rants from the street corner!
 
S

strength_and_power

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Apr 26, 2015
Messages
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I found my 12’ Werner on FB Marketplace for $160. Barely used by the looks of it and lack of **** on it. It’s not terribly heavy. Downside is you can’t really get into a corner unless you lean it against the wall which my dislike of ladders won’t let me do. I’ve seen the rolling staircases on FBM but timing never worked to get one.
 
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