If you are looking for a ladder that is easy to use, easy to carry, and easy to store, then a telescoping ladder may be just what you need. A telescoping ladder is called such because of the mechanism that allows part of the ladder to slide into another part of the ladder, reducing it's overall size. Several such ladders on the market today can actually "fold" small enough to fit into a carry bag and be stored in the trunk of your car or your hall closet!



The telescoping ladders I'm talking about actually telescope each individual rung into the one below it, reducing the size of a 10, 12, 14 or even 16 foot ladder down to 2.5 to 3 feet! Think what this means: no more wasted cargo space carrying a full size ladder in your RV; no more being forced to drive a truck just so you can carry your ladder around; much less storage space used in your garage or closet by a bulky full size ladder.

What I love about these ladders is that they extend and lock foot by foot, so you can carry the fully compacted ladder (no need to risk banging the walls or catching yourself on tree limbs, right?), which only weighs 25 to 35 pounds and then extend it to the height you need. So, if you're trying to wash your exterior windows and you need to get up 6 feet or so, you'll extend the ladder 6 or 7 rungs, but if you need to get high enough to pull the leaves out of your rain gutters, you can open the ladder all the way (up to 16 feet or more).

This convenience means you actually need fewer ladders-- no more do you need a step ladder in the kitchen and an 8 foot ladder in the garage; your telescoping ladder can actually do the jobs of both of these ladders using less storage space than even one of your former ladders!

When you're buying a telescoping ladder, look for high quality locks and attention to construction detail. You want the rungs to release easily for extension or retraction, but to hold solid when you're standing on them! It's important that the manufacturer has put in safety mechanisms to prevent your fingers from being pinched and that the ladder is made from strong, high quality materials (such as a high grade aluminum). Look for effective non-slip pads at the bottom of the ladder and a soft top rung for resting against painted walls or other delicate surfaces.

If you're looking for a ladder that is easy to use, easy to carry, and easy to store, then a telescoping ladder may be just what you need. Shop around, find the features you need, and make your purchase for the ladder that will fill more of your personal elevation needs while taking less of your precious storage space.