Seeking Input on Double Strollers

I have a couple online momma friends who have this and LOVE it

http://www.specialtybaby.com/joovycaboose.html

I don't think you can find them everywhere, but it does everything you want, and very afforable.

I have about the same distance between kids that you do. I picked up the Sit 'n Stand. So far it has worked great with both my older son, who loves to be able to get in and out by himself. I have also liked that it folds flat enough that it fits in the trunk of my car (Infiniti G20) and still leaves some room for groceries (although sometimes I do still have to put a couple bags up front). The instructions for setting up the adjustable bar to accomodate the car seats are a little confusing, and I've heard complaints that the seats don't always feel secure. I had no trouble with my Graco I'd used with my son. I did notice that it would wobble side to side if you didn't use the extra strap that went across the front, but the strap was a pain and the seat didn't seem as if it would fall off (and never did). The main other complaint I've heard is the lack of easy storage - the compartment you get under the seats is small and feels hard to get to until you realize that the sides snap on and you can access them there instead of always going in between the seats.

I've seen better strollers for going into the grass with and maneuverability. However, this has been the best stroller for my tight budget.

I have been a little less thrilled with the harness setup once you remove the car seat stuff and use the front seat for the little one. The straps to keep her in place seem a bit flimsy to me and I worry that she'll be able to climb out of it once she figures it out. However, the closer she gets to walking, the less we'll actually need the stroller, so I'm not looking to upgrade.

Oh - and the straps in the back for the older child WILL keep him in the stroller in the sitting position if you need to *cough* coax the child to remain sitting in the stroller. I had my son throw one heck of a tantrum a week or so ago (he's nearly four now) and tried to run off on me. I plunked him into the seat and strapped him in, since we were at the doctor's office and I couldn't afford for him to be running off all over the facility while I was signing in and all that. Anyway, the straps kept him sitting there until I could talk him back to a calm state again. So those work. I'm just not sure about the ones for the front seat where my daughter (now 13 months) is yet.

We have the Phil and Ted's e3 and I must say I love it. Its Australian and looks like a jogging stroller with all-terrain wheels and a second add-on seat that you pop on and off as needed. You can use it 4 ways: as an infant stroller for one infant (baby lays flat), as a single with 1 child reclined or sitting up; as a double with infant sleeping in back part and toddler sitting in front; or with both kids sitting - older/heavier in front and smaller in back. I was obsessed with researching all about double strollers when we bought this one almost two years ago and I'm so glad we got this one. It is slightly pricy, but worth it (there's sites online where you might be able to find it for less, or check ebay). I have a 3.5 year old daughter and 16 month old son and we've used this one for almost 2 years now. I got mine at Right Start in Naperville, you can check it out online at www.philandteds.com. Its very versatile, not very heavy and and easy to fold (the wheels also pop off easy for car storage when travelling if needed). The toddler seat add-on clicks on and off so its great now because our 3.5 year old likes to walk most of the time but does get tired at times. I have the toddler add-on in the basket under the stroller and if she gets tired we just pop it on and she can ride. When she's walking I pop off the add-on and its a single.

If you do end up getting this one, you will find that people ask you about it all the time. We're constantly hearing comments from people walking by and moms will often ask what it is and where they can get one (it looks very unique when you have it in double mode). Sometimes I feel like I should be handing out Phil and Ted's business cards and getting a kickback ;-)

Good luck!

K.

I have 3 (4year old 2year old and 7 month old). I bought Right Start's brand of a single jogger stroller with a front swivel wheel (absolutely necessary if you do anything other than jogging) and bought the Boogy Board for my 2 year old. The 4 year old walks or rides his trike. It works great and I love the jogger stroller. It's a little heavy, but worth it. I had the Combi double stroller and never really liked it for the outside. Its a perfect mall stroller. If you want it, I'll sell it to you. $50 -- I spent $300.

If your oldest will be almost 3, do you really need a double stroller? Depending on what you have now, you might be able to get away with one of those boogie-board attachments on the back so he can ride when he gets tired of walking. And for the first 6 months or so you can probably just keep your older child in the current stroller and put your baby in a sling (she will like being snuggled close to mom anyway). Anyway, congrats on your pregnancy!

All I can say is don't get the side-by-side! I had the tandem/one in front of the other and had such a hard time getting between certain areas like, clothes racks and sharp corners. Ugh!! A time I did not miss.

M.

I did some research on-line and found out the BOB Revolution double stroller ("Duallie") is one of the highest rated. Then I tried my girlfriend's and loved it! I just got mine (bought a new one on e-bay for about $150 cheaper than retail) and it is the best investment. It strolls so easily and maneuvers so well. It is much better than my single Graco.

I just purchased the brand new graco duo glider (metropolitan) one... I have the graco infant carrier as well. It is great... no complaints at all...except it is extremely heavy to lift. I wanted the sit and stand, but your older child cant sit when you have the car seat in there because you have to put the back of the front seat all the way down. Hope this helps.

I have the joovy caboose and, though #2 isn't due for 10 weeks, I've been getting my 2.5 yr old used to the sit 'n stand part of it for the past month or so. She loves it! Beign able to get in and out, sitting on the bench, standing when she wants. It strolls GREAT. I really like how easy it is to push and the wheels are good and handle bumps well. My only concern/complaint is that it is almost 30 lbs, so really heavy to lift and I'll probably end up getting a double umbrella for the car rather than lifting that thing in and out! Otherwise, though, I'm really happy I bought it. It has good features and I've already tried it out with my Graco infant seat, to see how it works, and it's good and secure.