Little Giant Ladder Systems, Velocity with Wheels, M22, 22 Ft, Multi-Position Ladder, Aluminum, Type 1A, 300 lbs Weight Rating, (15422-001)

This is a strong, versatile ladder system! Some reviewers said they had -- or almost had -- accidents when the various locks didn't click into place. With a little bit of attention, this cannot happen. It is so clear when the locks are in, usually by way of strong pins that actually go through the frame.The ladder is versatile. I didn't know ahead of time if I'd use this feature, but I've found the ability to make one side straight up and down (with the climbing side on an angle), has been very useful both in the house and out. I had a wall to paint, and this setup let me get all over it without the ladder ever touching the wall. I also have an air intake duct high in a wall. There are little marks along the edge of the pot shelf where I used to place a straight ladder to get up to it. No more marks!Recently I had new satellite dish put on the roof. The installer was a young man named Sam. Sam is 6'5" tall and 350 lbs. His truck had 4 or 5 ladders on the rack, but Sam pulled his own Little Giant Ladder out of the van. It turned out to be an older version of the one I just bought (they are 19' long fully extended: why do they have to say they are 22 feet? I'm guessing they figure that on a 19-footer, you can work safely to 22 feet, but I'm still not sure that's a justification). Anyway, using his Li'l Giant (one "leg" straight, the other on an angle), Sam easily climbed onto my roof to do the job. The configuration allowed him to do that without the ladder ever leaning against the vulnerable roof gutters.Because of the way it's built, the ladder is relatively heavy (compared to my lighter aluminum ladders). That makes it a little awkward to fully extend it when you're on your own. It is top-heavy, and unless you're ready for it, it could get out of control when you're trying to get it max straight up in the air at its full height. It's easier if there are two of you, of course.That's said, I'm of average height and build, in good health though I'm over 60, and I can carry this ladder under one arm (in its folded configuration). On my various projects, I've managed to manhandle it on my own -- except when I was working indoors in tight quarters, and I asked my wife to help so I wouldn't knock over the TV or anything like that.I feel very secure climbing my Little Giant, and it is my go-to ladder for every job.By the way, we live in an area with gusty winds. Last summer when we were building a fence around our garden, using the lightweight aluminum step ladder, more than a few times, the wind just knocked it over. One time, it came crashing down on my wife's back. Fortunately, she wasn't hurt, but I would have preferred a sturdier ladder.That just can't happen with my Little Giant, so in some ways, somewhat heavier is a good thing (as with most things, there are trade-offs).To tell the truth, for years I've drooled over the Little Giant ladders every time I've gone by them in the hardware super stores. Now I have my own -- and so can you!Recommended.

The 26-foot model appealed to me, but I wasn't sure if I could lug it around okay, and it was potentially more dangerous than the 22-foot model.When I rolled the 22-foot model behind me, the pressure of the edge of the rung hurt my fingers so much that if I had to go 100 yards, I'd drive with it sticking out of my trunk. I've learned that if I stand with my hand at my side and the palm toward the rear, I can stoop and hook my fingers under the rung just off the ground. That's a rounded surface. I can easily tow it 200 yards on grass or pavement.The extension latches often failed to set, and I might have to hit them painfully hard. Motor oil made a big difference. A cotton swab can be used to apply it to the extension latches and the hinge latches.Using it as an A ladder, I can stand at 7 feet with my knees against the top rungs for stability. Because the base is big, 1/2” boards will shim it pretty well. To make it rock solid, I can add shingle tabs to shim it in 1/8” increments.Once, I came down because it didn't feel right. It looked pretty straight, but a plumb line showed that it was leaning to one side. With several feet of cord to tangle, it would be inconvenient to use a plumb bob each time I moved the ladder. My pocket knife has a belt clip. I clip it to a dog-tag chain ( 30” of ball chain ) and wear it as a pendant. I can check the ladder by holding the pendant at arm’s length, as in the photo.My house has 10’ ceilings. I love this ladder indoors because it’s more stable than my step ladders. Before bringing it indoors, I clean the feet, and rungs.This ladder is unexpectedly useful for standing on the ground to paint. It serves as a stable table whose platform can hold my pail at the most convenient height. With one hand free, I can easily switch hands, either because one hand is tired or because the other is in a better position.I used this ladder once to go onto a roof. There’s a little play in the hinges. To step onto the ladder to come back down, I first grabbed the rails. As I stepped onto the rung, the hinge flexed slightly, allowing the top to move slightly toward the ridge, throwing me off balance so that I was pushing the top toward the ridge. A movement like that could cause the bottom to slide away from the house. Now that I know the danger, I could probably use the Little Giant safely for that purpose, but I prefer a rigid ladder.