Roof ladder size

[RF Lighting]

I'm looking to buy a roof ladder. Mainly for TV aerial work and the odd repair here and there.

What is the length of the average house roof? I normally borrow my friends ladder which has always reached but I'm getting more and more calls for this sort of work and feel bad always borrowing his so I'd like to get my own.

 

[DAZB]

Depends on the size of your van really but 6 metres would be a starting point.

 

[denso13]

A folding one is ideal for the smaller van http://www.midlandladders.com/catalog/ABRU_Folding_Roof_Ladder-164-1.html

 

[RF Lighting]

I drive a short wheel base transit. I normally carry a 3M triple extension ladder which fits nicely on the roof bars. When I borrow my mates roof ladder it's certainly longer, but not 6M. This seems far too big to me, as I've never had a roof bigger than his ladder, and would hire one if this was an issue.

Also what's the deal with home made cat ladders made from bits of roofing lat? I have a friend who's an old roofer and always uses this for accessing roofs but they seem really unsafe to me.

Does anyone use these and are they safe in your opinion?