[Amazin]

I measured my van today. Ford transit T260. Its about 2.47 long in terms of load length. I'm looking for a ladder tall enough to do it tradtionally but stil be able to put it inside my van. Otherwise I would have to install roof racks and have the ladder locked on top of it.

http://www.midlandladders.com/products/Triple_2_5m_8ft2_Trade_Light_Industrial_Ladder-21-7.html

Is that one sufficent? It says 5.6Ms when extended.

[Walter Mitty]

5.8m extended would do you for most jobs.  However, it won't let you extend above a window over a bay on older, high ceilinged houses.  I have used a 2 x 3.5m ladder (ext length 6.1m) and that sometimes only made it on a 3 rung overlap (I think you're meant to have 4 rung overlap).
So, for most purposes, OK.  For the odd job, no.
Apart from that, maybe a short triple would be less stable than a longer double (just asking - not sure about the last bit).

[stan stansfield]

its a 3 rung overlap

[Walter Mitty]

its a 3 rung overlap

OK, but even the his short triple would still be 30cm shorter than my 3.5m double so wouldn't quite make it above the higher windows.

[Amazin]

its a 3 rung overlap

OK, but even the his short triple would still be 30cm shorter than my 3.5m double so wouldn't quite make it above the higher windows.

where do you keep your ladder? locked it on the roof rack?

[Walter Mitty]

its a 3 rung overlap

OK, but even the his short triple would still be 30cm shorter than my 3.5m double so wouldn't quite make it above the higher windows.

where do you keep your ladder? locked it on the roof rack?

Yes, but it's not used much these days.  I would prefer to keep my ladder inside the van too but the van already had a roof rack when I bought it so I just left it there.

[dazmond]

3.5 m trade ladders(2 section)locked on the roof rack and an 8ft single pointer on my van.

the truth is most of us still need ladders on occasions.i couldnt do without mine

the odd flat roof
leaning over to unbolt a gate
splitting them to get over a gate
the odd window where you need to get up close to scrape it because of silicon/paint etc
gutter clearing(if you offer this service)
awkward access conny roof jobs

a sturdy ladder that doesnt come up short is essential IMO.

i recently bought a little fold away step from home bargains for £3 the other week which makes it easier to get the ladders off(i have a connect hi roof)

[Amazin]

Yeah agreed.  we still need good ladders. I still think its good to have a 3 section ladder though, you can take them apart and use them to get over gates.  Any particuar reasons why they're shaped like A?

[C o z y]

Stability at angles.

[slap bash]

Buy a triple combination ladder they have a stabilization bar which widens the base on which its stands.