Lightweight step ladders and brands

newbury · Jul 19, 2013

In the suburbs I only had need for one 3-step ladder for the house for SWMBO to reach the high stuff. And I had a 6-footer for painting chores etc.

Now with about 6K sq ft of "shops":

all lined with pallet racking up to 12'

and an F350 bed that needs frequent access with the tailgate down

I find a frequent need to go find the stepladder. So I decided to invest in more.

I'd bought a Rubbermaid 3 step Aluminum

at Home Depot (I think) for $50 which SWMBO uses in the house.
Rubbermaid 3-Step Aluminum Step Stool-RM-AUL3 at The Home Depot.

I went in to Lowes and they have a virtually identical ladder branded Cosco

slight differences seem to be the 3rd step and top handle, plus it's $40.

Since I was planning on buying several my questions are:
Does anyone know if Cosco is a copy or competitor of Rubbermaid?

Does anyone have a better suggestion for a LIGHT 3 step stool.

bcp · Jul 19, 2013

After trying step stools, I bought a 4-ft step ladder. Even with the same weight capacity, the ladder was more solid feeling. Most of the stools and ladders have a 225lb capacity, but some of the ladders were 250 or 300lbs. It will have to hold your weight plus the weight of whatever you are carrying.

Bruce

teejk · Jul 19, 2013

I think ladders are all "color coded" now. Spend the $100 for a 6'ft Werner (orange, class II I think) and be done with it. Maybe they are the same now but Werner built the top tray to hold a cordless drill (what a simple idea huh...how many of us get on the ladder and juggle the $100 cordless tool???) and a few recesses to hold screws/nails etc.

uglyboywith11fingers · Jul 19, 2013

I got a yellow fiberglass Werner 6ft Class II (225 lb) at Home Depot in Toronto last December... on sale for $29.99 IIRC, has the clever top tray plus a rectangular bucket that also clips on to the top tray.
Such a good deal, I was tempted to buy two, but I already had a 5ft and a 6ft aluminum stepladder.

Pete

teejk · Jul 19, 2013

You made me look...I guess the orange is class I (300lbs). That unique top is apparently theirs until the patent runs out. I'd stick with fiberglass for the benefits of weight (I own the Werner version of the "little ladder" but it is a beast) and strength and non-conductive if you get near electrical wires.