DeWalt 24' Fiberglass Extension Ladder

Why I picked up this ladder

I spend a lot of time working at second-story height—cleaning gutters, swapping floodlights, and running conduit—and I wanted an extension ladder that didn’t make me think twice about capacity or stability. DeWalt’s 24-foot fiberglass extension ladder checked the right boxes on paper: a heavy-duty ANSI Type IAA rating (375 lb), fiberglass rails for electrical safety, D-shaped serrated rungs, and steel swivel shoes. After a month of real use on siding, concrete, grass, and compacted soil, I have a clear sense of where this ladder shines and where it asks for compromise.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the truck, the ladder’s build quality reads “jobsite.” The fiberglass rails are straight and solid with cleanly installed hardware. The rungs are independently riveted and fully serrated, and the wrap-around aluminum shoes give the feet a robust, replaceable feel. At 62 lb, it’s not a featherweight. You can shoulder-carry it solo, but you’ll feel it if you’re moving it repeatedly across a large property. The non-marring aluminum hand grips help when you’re sliding it off a rack or making small position tweaks.

The overall footprint is what I’d call standard for a 24-footer. Closed, it’s 12' 8", so plan accordingly—this is a rack, trailer, or long-van ladder. Extended, you get about 21 feet of ladder due to section overlap, which translates to a practical working reach for second-story eaves and roof edges. That’s the sweet spot for most residential exterior work.

Extension and RungLock performance

The rope-and-pulley system is straightforward and familiar. The rope feed is smooth; I didn’t need to baby it to avoid hitches. The outside slide guides keep the fly aligned, so the sections pass each other cleanly with minimal chatter. What matters most to me is how confident I feel when the ladder’s at height and locked, and the RungLock system delivered. The quick latch engages with a positive snap and no slop. It’s easy to see and feel that the dog is seated. I could operate it one-handed while keeping the other hand on the rail—useful when you’re on uneven ground and don’t want to fuss.

If you’re used to lighter-duty ladders, the “lift” required to hop rungs on a heavy-duty IAA unit like this is higher. That’s normal, and to DeWalt’s credit the action remained consistent even after picking up grit and dust from a weekend of wind.

Stability and footing

Stability comes down to geometry, shoe design, and rung traction. This ladder gets all three right. The D-shaped rungs are fully serrated and offer reliable traction with muddy boots or wet soles without feeling sharp. I stood for extended periods swapping lights and never felt foot fatigue from the rung edges.

The full metal boot with steel swivel safety shoes is the star here. On concrete and decking, the rubber tread in the tread-down position grips well; on grass and packed soil, flipping to the spike position feels noticeably more planted. The swiveling action is tight enough to keep the shoe in the orientation you intend while accommodating minor ground irregularities. With a proper 4:1 angle and a top standoff, I had zero walking or bounce.

While the ladder isn’t a wide-body design, torsional stiffness is excellent for its class. On a moderately uneven paver patio, I purposely loaded the rails off-center while tied off at the top; deflection was controlled and predictable. If you routinely work on severely uneven terrain, you’ll still want levelers, but for typical jobsite or home exteriors these shoes and rails inspire confidence.

Electrical safety and weather

Fiberglass rails are non-conductive when clean and dry, which is a must if you work around service masts, exterior lighting, or overhead lines. The rails have a quality finish that wiped clean of dust and overspray without chalking. A practical consideration: the dark finish heats up faster in direct sun than lighter fiberglass. On a 90-degree day, the rails were noticeably warm by midday. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you work bare-handed in summer—gloves help.

Ergonomics and carrying

At 62 lb, I rate carry ergonomics as “manageable but not friendly.” For short moves around a jobsite, the balance point is predictable and the hand grips give you good leverage to rotate and nest the feet where you want them. For longer carries, the weight becomes the limiting factor rather than balance. If you’re a solo operator moving this ladder repeatedly up stairs or into tight side yards, plan your path and take your time. I appreciated that the rope stays tidy and out of the way of my shoulder—no surprise snags.

Durability and serviceability

The ladder’s component choices suggest longevity. Independently riveted rungs are easier to service than fully welded assemblies if something gets damaged. The wrap-around shoe design is robust, and replacement should be straightforward. The latch hardware is steel and felt precise after dusty, damp use. I always look for early signs of loosening; after several setup-and-teardown cycles, all hardware remained tight.

Maintenance is the usual ladder care: keep the rails clean, occasionally rinse grit from the guides, and inspect the rope for wear. If you store ladders outdoors, a UV protectant on the fiberglass will extend the finish life.

Real-world reach and use cases

This 24-footer is the “do most exterior tasks” size. I comfortably reached second-story soffits, attic vents, and camera mounting points. Remember, your safe standing position is several rungs down from the top; the ladder’s extended length gives you a top landing around 21 feet, but your actual working height is a bit lower. For standard two-story homes, it’s ideal. If you routinely need to reach ridge vents on steep roofs, you may still want a 28-footer in your fleet; otherwise, this size covers the majority of residential work without pushing you near the top rungs.

What I’d change

• Weight: The 375 lb rating brings strength, but it also brings mass. A few pounds shaved off would make a big difference on long carry-ins.
• Heat absorption: The dark rails get hot in summer sun. Not a functional flaw, but I noticed it.
• Rope storage: A simple integrated rope keeper or clip would be welcome to secure the tail when transporting. I used a basic tie-off, which worked fine.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re quality-of-life tweaks.

Who it’s for

• Pros who want a fiberglass IAA ladder they can trust under heavy person-plus-tool loads.
• Facility and property teams that need a durable, standards-compliant ladder for frequent use.
• Serious DIYers who prefer to buy once and use for decades, with the tradeoff of extra weight.

If you rarely work above a single story or you have limited storage, a shorter and lighter ladder will be more convenient. If you regularly work alone and move the ladder dozens of times a day, consider whether the weight fits your workflow.

Value

Pricing aside, the value of this ladder is in its capacity, stability, and compliance. It meets OSHA, ANSI, and CSA standards, and it feels like it. The components are the kind you want to look down at when you’re 18 feet in the air—familiar, dependable, and serviceable. There are cheaper ladders in this size, but not many at the IAA rating with this level of fit and finish.

Bottom line

The DeWalt 24-foot fiberglass extension ladder is a confidence-inspiring, heavy-duty tool built for real work. The RungLock is positive and intuitive, the rungs are comfortable and secure, and the steel swivel shoes adapt well to different surfaces. It asks you to live with more weight than lighter-duty models and a finish that warms up in direct sun, but it pays you back with stability, capacity, and durability that show up every time you climb.

Recommendation: I recommend this ladder for professionals and committed DIYers who need a 24-foot fiberglass extension ladder with a true 375 lb rating. It’s stable, well-built, and compliant with major safety standards. Be realistic about the weight and storage requirements; if those fit your needs, this is a trustworthy choice that should serve for years.