Hope everyone is safe. I am considering buying the new E&C model XXC 714/300 ladder that is both an extension ladder and a step ladder. Has anyone purchased this what are your thoughts?
I wonder if it is any more sturdy than the cheaper ones on Amazon? I got one of the cheaper ones…fortunately, it broke and the “A” hinge, so I donated it and now someone has 2 halves of an A ladder.
Being on it, was almost as scary as hanging from a rope saddle chipping stucco…33 stories off of the ground!
Those extend and climb are a hazard. Try a little giant! Much safer and less expensive.
Cheers
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I’ve had several X&C without any problems.
You just have to be smarter than what you are working with…Yep!
If you can’t properly use an X&C then you are a dumbass…Yep!
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I have the 12.5’ Xtend & Climb and it’s a great ladder wouldn’t own anything else, but the E&C model XXC 714/300 is 38 pounds who are you gonna get to carry it? 
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I used to carry 60lb bags of mortar mix all day, sheesh 
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I took a bad fall off of an X-Tend and Climb (the expensive one $300). It collapsed out from under me while I was halfway through an attic access opening. I fell 8 feet onto the concrete garage floor. It was a miracle that I was not seriously injured. No telescoping or articulating ladders for me. There are too many movable points of failure built into them.
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I used the Werner version of the little giant (articulating ladder) and found it to be too cumbersome when going up stairs and the flared top/bottom made some attic accesses difficult. Switched to Extend & Climb and love it. If you get one, go for the highest rated one (black in color).
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Thanks for all the advice, everyone!
Couldn’t you just buy both ladders for less than $560? Personally I stay away from “all in one” anything.
Any back or knee/hip issues?
Nope, I grew up in a time when men were men.
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Ya, okay LOL Human body is not designed to carry 60lb bags daily for extended period of time. You wear your body out quicker. I don’t believe you 
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It is my understanding that physical work makes you stronger. Carrying 60 lb bags should be a good strengthening activity for muscles as well as the skeletal system. I could be wrong.
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You got it right, Bert!
Power lifting…within reason and 60 pounds is within reason. 
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I don’t and never have needed to lift 60lbs, that is what money is for… I get paid for the thoughts in my head, not my back. 
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Staying active is important, I agree. Healthy physical exercises will help one keep in shape for sure. However, a single 60lb bag is a poorly distributed chunk of mass… usually they are thrown over a shoulder and hauled across the construction yard. The, often improper, lifting from ground and then trying to balance it on a shoulder/back isn’t a healthy workout imo 
A few people I know have all sort of issues from it from back to knees and wished they didn’t have to do it in their younger years. But hey! if you think your spine is designed to carry extra weight of 60lb on it for 10 hours a day 5 days a week, I’m not here to stop you 
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The problems occur when you STOP doing that physical work. Guess how I know!!
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