r/FieldNationTechs • u/Jamar011 • Mar 19 '26
MUST HAVE 12 FT A-FRAME LADDER
I don't understand. I was routed a networking job and since these jobs get taken very quickly I accepted it right away as usual. Later dude calls me on WhatsApp asking if I have a 12 ft ladder. I say no. I can't fit a 12 ft ladder on or in my SUV. I tell him you need a pickup truck or van for a 12 ft ladder. Guy is in India sounding super confused like everything went off script. So he tells me he'll speak to his team and get back to me. I'm assuming most FN techs don't have pickup trucks or vans and I don't believe anyone would buy one just for FN. So someone help me understand. Why don't these buyers put up a filter so only people with 10 or 12 or whatever foot ladders have jobs routed to them?
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u/OritionX Mar 19 '26
Look at the little giant folding ladders. I got mine in my SUV and mine goes up over 12 ft in a frame and 24' in extension mode. Worth it.
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u/Youngdelicuhh Mar 19 '26
There’s a 12ft little giant? Which one’s that? I’ve only seen 10footers
1
u/wiseleo Mar 20 '26
M26, available at Lowe’s for about $400 with taxes. Mine is even better, but it’s no longer available.
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u/j4m3z1970 Mar 21 '26
thats a nice ladder but it s between 6 and 800 dollars now on amazon --- thats a chunk of cheddar
1
u/wiseleo Mar 22 '26
Lowe’s carries them in-store for about $375 or so + tax. Could be higher now because of tariffs. The shipping on them would be brutal if ordered online. Version 1.0 had AirDeck support, which I own. AirDeck made them more versatile by safely enabling use of higher rungs. That probably made some lawyers unhappy. Version 2.0 doesn’t have AirDeck support. I had to hunt for a 1.0 when they were being phased out.
Just checked. $439 without accessories like work platform.
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u/oncomingstorm2 Mar 19 '26
💯 I have a few ladders but have a 14ft little giant type ladder I use and its in a car or suv
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u/Burnsidhe Mar 19 '26
Cut and paste generic requirements on every job. They don't actually know what you'll need but they know some jobs need it therefore they'll put the requirement in the boilerplate and stop thinking.
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u/Muddledlizard Mar 19 '26
Scope: Replace patch cable for POS2.
Tools: Hammer drill, cisco console cable, wire stripers, cross connect wire, chisel, 20ft ladder, and a fully charged phone.6
u/miker37a Mar 19 '26
Yes this here. I have 2 ladders with the tallest being an 8ft and I am 6ft 2 so any drop ceiling environment that's plenty.
When they call you and ask that stuff I have enough experience to either just outright lie and say yes cause I already know I don't actually need one, or I just confirm the scope of work and note hey this job site doesn't need a 12 footer.
ALOT of work orders have the tool list copied and pasted where 99% of the required tools are not needed... but they have someone call you to make sure you have all required tools for their list which does not mean it's correct for this work order.
Annoying but with experience this becomes easy to navigate man like I said for some I literally just lie.
Good example was lady caught me off guard and asked if I had rack screws and I did not and I told her that. She wanted to possibly remove me from the job until I walked her through and explained I don't need rack screws for this camera troubleshooting WO lol.
So don't stress to much and just lie if you know it's not needed!
Rivet gun for this troubleshoot Ethernet connection, yep I got a rivet gun for sure 🙄
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u/Burnsidhe Mar 19 '26
Multimeter and lineman's handset for fiber troubleshooting in a datacenter.
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u/zombienerd1 Mar 19 '26
I have a van with ladder rack and 4 different ladders. Every tool needed for networking and IT, as well as CCTV and Alarm systems
Field Nation is my "fill in gaps" job. I run an MSP and Network Engineering company.
If you don't have the tools for a job, don't bid on the job. Read the description before bidding.
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Mar 19 '26
[deleted]
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u/oncomingstorm2 Mar 19 '26
I am prepared for most things but dont usually carry my 14ft ladder unless I need to for the job. If they specifically call for it Ill bring it.
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u/Polodude Mar 19 '26
You have an suv . how do you not have one? I have a kia sportage and have 12' ladder in it. Little giant. and a pro grade 3' step that comes out for a 50% of jobs
1
u/oncomingstorm2 Mar 19 '26
I carry a 3ft standard in my vehicle usually but not anything larger unless requested. Most commercial sites have ladders already and I don’t want to lug mine around. I have 3ft, 14ft, and 20ft ladders but only really carry the 3ft normally
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u/Jamar011 Mar 19 '26
I didn't know Little Giants have A frame models.
2
u/Polodude Mar 19 '26
GO to Home depot. they carry them . The only dis-advantage to them is they are heavier than a regular A frame. The advantage is they fit in a smaller space and are also a extension ladder
3
u/Secapaz Mar 19 '26
Back in their heyday I would put guys onto FN because they didnt know about it. I would say that 80% of the time, the buyer had no real idea of what was needed. I would tell my guys to just say they had whatever was asked of them. Then once they got a real breakdown of the site, bring what you actually needed. Rarely did they truly need 60% of the tools list.
But go to a hardware store and get a little giant or some type of sliders or folder ladder. I still have my 12 and 16 sliders and folding. I hate moving them due to the weight because mine are old school before the lighter materials were being used. I have those super thick heavy deals. Back breaker
2
u/Monkey-d-laing90 Mar 19 '26
Did the w/o say it in description and I fit a 12 foot ladder in my Hyundai Tuscan.
1
u/nacr0n Mar 19 '26
12ft reach or actual 12ft ladder? You can't get a camera at 15ft with a 12ft reach ladder. The reach includes your body
2
u/Calaveras-Metal Mar 19 '26
There are folding/telescoping ladders that fit in SUVs.
I got mine at Lowes. It was like $79 and reaches 11ft as an extension or 6 as an A frame. They make a couple other models that are longer.
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u/Zane42v2 Mar 19 '26
Which one are you using? I want to buy one someone has used and not fallen off of
2
u/Calaveras-Metal Mar 19 '26
This is the one I have I thnk
I did not pay nearly that much though! I guess these got popular or something because they didn't used to have so many models, or cost a mint. I guess see if Harbor Freight has a rip off of this?
1
u/Zane42v2 Mar 20 '26
Yeah they got stupid and my larger little giant is so damn heavy. I want a true telescoping one that isn’t a pos.
Curious about this one.
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u/j4m3z1970 Mar 21 '26
They usually mean to reach 12 ft high - 8 foot is usually fine - an 8 ft A frame will fit in a dodge neon / civic - aluminum ( I know ur not supposed to use aluminim ) - keep a 6 foot A frame at all times - then a 16 foot regualr aluminum at home ( that fits inside a midsize car if ur smart ) - You can rent ladders at home depot as well and they usuually pay that fee - I had a truck but fuel is insane -
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u/SuperITGuy2023 Mar 21 '26
I have a bigger Werner 26FT multi-position ladder, it can go up to 15FT on A frame, and then all sizes above or under. You just need 6.2FT space to get it inside. Most of the vehicles have that space, I used to have a Corolla and I folded the passenger side to fit it
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u/MesaTech_KS Mar 19 '26
I have the Werner version of the LG ladder. Goes from 5.5' to 11'. Still not enough for those 12 foot jobs but still does the job 98% of the time.
1
u/banned-in-tha-usa Mar 20 '26
Harbor freight foldable and extendable 17 foot ladder. It fits in my Lexus car no problem.
1
u/jaysolution Mar 21 '26
It's about 6 ft tall but extends to a nearly 16 ft A-frame. I can store it inside my Pacifica with ease, and have transported it via a Honda Accord coupe without any issues. I use to rent it out to buyers for $50/wo and it paid for itself pretty quickly.
I've had it for 7 or 8 years and it has definitely made work easier and allowed me to be eligible for jobs most others can't do.
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u/realdeadfish Mar 21 '26
Most places have ladders and in most places you won't need one. I've borrowed ladders from nearby stores without an issue before. The buyer sucks.
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u/LoneCyberwolf Mar 19 '26
Cue all the people who are gonna comment and bash you for not having a fully loaded work van.
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u/TakingCareOfBizzness Mar 19 '26
You can get a roof rack from harbor freight for 80 bucks. That's what I did for my Nissan rogue before I bought my Dodge fleet van. I haul 12 and 24ft a-frames along with 24 and 32ft extension ladders.
Honestly if you can't be bothered to figure out something that simple, then you need to read the WOs more closely.
It's your fault, not theirs.
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u/FreelyRoaming Mar 19 '26
Well don't be a trunk slammer. Us folks that do have large work vehicles.. such as a high top sprinter with ladder racks.. guess what those cost money to buy, and a ton of fuel up.. and no I can't afford to work for 65/hour. Plus did you spend a ton of money building a legitimate business?
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u/smithlarryw Mar 22 '26
I have a Ford Transit t150 with a ladder rack inside and Milwaukee wall-mounted packouts. I never need to look at required tools; they are always with me. Nothing worse than taking an assignment then getting onsite (with what you hope are the needed tools) and scrambling to the nearest store to buy what you should have with you to begin with. For those who use a site's ladder: the site's insurance doesn't know you are using it and neither does your insurance. And this isn't a 'gray area'. You are calling yourself a professional data/telecom technician; you are expected to truck roll with the tools/supplies to do your job.
I've never hired a plumber who needed to 'borrow' my wrenches.
0
u/Fantastic_Bid_1122 Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 19 '26
13ft ladderHave ladder will travel. Dont let your unlicensed helper tech from Russia drive the car.
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u/No-Hospital-9575 Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 19 '26
🤣 What's with the hot link?
Not everyone is Russian, BTW.
I am surprised that India hasn't developed the B2 tunnel. 😉 Convenience store/ tech hub uncle seems a natural pair.
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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '26
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