April 5, 2005 Ladders are useful in a myriad of places though they are clumsy difficult items to store and carry. Accordingly, we think the Xtend & Climb telescoping ladder is a very simple, very good idea. It compacts and stores in a bag that is a very manageable 30 inches (76 cm) by 19 inches (48 cm) by 3 inches (7.5 cm) and 25 pounds (11.3 kg) then miraculously transforms to a stable 12.5 feet (3.8 metre) ladder with a duty rating of 225 pounds (100 kilograms). Accordingly, it’s a perfect ladder for the apartment, condo, motor home or shop.
Because Xtend & Climb opens and locks by the foot, you only need to open as many steps as you need. This makes the ladder ideal for inside work or outside work under the eaves. A traditional extension ladder is always going to be at least 8 feet long, making inside work difficult. Traditional extension ladders also frequently need to extend past the work height for the locking mechanism to work properly. The Xtend & Climb ladder locks into place at exactly the height it needs to reach and can be opened from the top or bottom.
The Xtend & Climb ladder can reach 12.5 feet, the same safe working height of a 16-foot extension ladder. A 16-foot extension ladder gets its name from its two 8-foot sections. They can't reach beyond 12.5 feet because part of the sections must overlap.
The Xtend & Climb is constructed from aircraft-quality 6061 aluminum alloy with an anodised finish coupled with ergonomically designed black latches with steel pins. Non-slip bevelled end caps provide a stable surface while leaned to either side.
The ladder has a "No Pinch Closure System" that leaves a three-inch gap above your hands when each step retracts if the step below your hands is open – that’s clever. It also comes with a removable carrying handle and comes in silver or black.
The Xtend & Climb ladder fits in the trunk of even a very small car (it fits in a Mini) which means that building, plumbing or electrical inspectors, who might occasionally need a ladder, can drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle to most jobs.
For those with recreational vehicles, the Xtend & Climb ladder is ideal for taking along on a trip. The ability to store virtually anywhere means that it takes up less room and doesn't have to take up the long transverse storage that's best suited for recreational gear, such as skis, boards or fishing rods. Unlike built in RV ladders, with the Xtend & Climb there is no climbing up to the first step. Nor does it get caught on tree branches or invite trouble.
The Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder is designed, engineered and distributed exclusively by Core Distribution and can be purchased on the internet for US$179.