3 wheeler or 4 wheeler pram???

[Bubbasuf]

Me again! - really not sure about whether to go the 3 wheeler pram or the smaller plastic type 4 wheeler.... the 3 wheeler seem much wider - but the 4 wheelers look as though they might be harder to steer and harder to walk on bike tracks with - any help would be great!

[SilverStarfish]

I have a 3 wheeler and have found it much easier to steer than friend's four wheelers I've driven. Just make sure you get one that's front wheel can swivel.

[MummyCharmzy]

check out the new bertini's www.bertini.com hope thats right...

I much prefer 4wheelers due to stability when toddlers lean over the sides and the bertini is much easier to steer than any 3 wheeler ive ever pushed

its all personal choice tho so go into a store and try some out! :D

If you lean for a 3wheeler my favourite is the ABC located here:
http://www.abcbuggy.co.nz/products.html

goodluck :D

[MummyCharmzy]

sorry its www.bertini.com.au :D

[damien's mum]

I would go the 3 wheeler, you can drive them with one hand!!!!
Lol

[Rhys'Mum]

Friends have had difficulty fitting their 3 wheelers into cars so test anything you are seriously looking at.

My thoughts, some 3 wheelers handle really well some don't - same with 4 wheelers. Its actually some of the other things I'd rate as more important now, with the benefit of hindsight.

Things I'd be looking for:



Can it lay all the way down (its much easier if your bub can sleep happily in their pram)
Can they sit pretty much upright (my son hates lounging back and our jeep stroller doesn't sit up far enough for him)
Is it easy to shift seat position (ours has a pull strap that I find a real pain. To put it in the car you have to loosen off the strap so it collapses properly and then you have to lean, over pull it while pushing up the seat every time you get it out and put them in. Borrowed one with a mechanism that I could operate 1 handed, it was great.)
Can you easily collapse it AND pick it up to put it in the car (we bought the 4 wheeler because I have back problems and it was better balanced for me, that said if they autolock when collapsed it becomes less important)
While not absolutely necessary its great if you can have bub face you early on (we couldn't, my little man was constantly overstimulated and cried until you stood in front of him.)
Could you add a toddler seat or step if you need (we won't need one of those I thought and now I'm clucky...)
Can you fit it through a standard doorway or shopping aisle (friend has real difficulty with hers, although she loves it and uses it heap.)
Look at wheels for steerability and comfort rather than just longevity (unless you are seriously offroad plastic wheels and 4 wheelers are fine, while not as avid walker as some I use mine on bikepaths often and to cross the oval occasionally and plastic wheels have held up fine so far.)
Boot covers, rainshields and pram covers, pram toy bars and drink holders can all be bought separately and don't assume you need all these things.

[little mermaid]

It is such a personal choice, but I have tried lots and LOTS of prams and I love 4 wheelers. I just dont like anything about the 3 wheelers they have dissapointed me in a big way.

[fingersxxed]

Thanks for your list of things to look for with prams. It is so daunting trying to decide what to buy and what you will need (having never even pushed a pram before!). Your list is really helpful. Obvioulsy everyone has differe nt needs but it is good to have a basic checklist to go shoppping with. well done:yelclap:

[SilverStarfish]

The best idea is to go to a place where you can take the prams for a "road test". Give them a push round the store, try to get it through small spaces. Push it with one hand. Can you fold it easily? Take it out to the carpark (if you are allowed to) and put it in and out of your boot 5 times to see how you go.

DH was on a real mission when we went to look for a pram! He gave each one a road test and a score :rolleyes:

[joe]

I agree with taking them for a road test. I decided that I only wanted a four wheeler - not sure why as I had never tried out a three wheeler. When I went to the shop I tried out everything in my price range and ended up with a three wheel pram which I love!
Good luck and happy shopping....

[Seekrit]

I love my 3 wheeler, it's easy to steer, light, fast and... red :p

I haven't had much experience, but when I push my SIL 4 wheeler it seems heavy and bulky (could be the 2 year old cargo...)

It's not the easiest to get into and out of the car - but after a while we managed to find the easiest way to do it :D and now I'm a pro! (no one else can get it now :laughing:)

Re: facing you and reclining back..
I think I battled the over stimulation thing by having one of those dangly things from the pram hood, I'd put the hood out and Cobey would stare at it, forgetting the world around him. I also covered the pram with a blankie so the stimulants were blocked out.

The pram doesn't recline all the way to lying back, but it does recline a fair way, it's good for when he's a bit gassy, has a cold or if I have to feed and run and I don't want to lay him down right away. He hasn't had any issues with sleeping in the pram.

[cheezelkat]

I used to have a 4 wheeler but I much prefer my 3 wheeler :yes:

It's easier to steer, and I can race along the streets when walking. It is bulky though and only just fits in the boot of our Ford Falcon with some quishing down.

[Rhys'Mum]

Thanks for the nice comments about the exxxxxxxtensive list I am usually paranoid about my huge posts.

I so totally agree with the road test idea. I just thought too, if possible borrow a friend's bub to test it with. It is different once you get a little person in there.

If you are up to it ask strange women in supermarkets and toy stores too (unless she looks totally harried of course) cos most of us love to tell you our tales of woe or about the fabulous things we've found. That way you might be able to see and feel it in action.

[~Chick79~]

I went with a 3 wheeler as it was much easier to go walking with... however depending on your car they may not fit.... Oh and you normally have to go through the wide checkouts at shops...

Those two downsides however didn't out weigh my good reasons for buying one!

[becca022]

We ended up getting a 4 wheeler (I don't like the way the 3 wheelers look) it's a great pram. I can steer it with one hand & it's very easy to turn. The only downside to it is you can't have it facing you, but apart from that it's great.:smiliedance:

[ryma]

I hate my 3 wheeler!!!!!
We bought a new pram for DS2 and its great to push and steer and all but occasionally DS1 hops in and it becomes very hard to push (he is only 14kg) and when he leans to one side to look behind him it tips and is very dangerous. I paid top dollar for this pram and I really can't wait until I get a new stroller.

[~mia&ryan~]

I have a 4 wheeler and I love it!:yes: We were givng a three wheeler when we were pregnant and I hated it so we bought a 4 wheeler instead.:thumbsup:

[SpecialMumma]

I recommend the BERTINI SHUTTLE . Its got 4 huge wheels and its very chunky but I love it. Its only downfall is the price! At about $595.00 :o

I have both. a 3 wheeler and a 4 wheeler. I use the 3 wheeler when walking long distances or jogging and the 4 wheeler if Im out shopping for the day.

I agree about going and test driving. Babies Galore up here let ya do that. Its awesome. Dont just buy it because it looks good! lol

Goodluck Pram Hunting!

[bris_mummy-to-be17]

hey.

they say that a 3 wheeler pram is more suited for those who go jogging/exercising & a 4 wheeler is more suited for those who go shopping.

Needless to say i have a 4wheeler :D but its great - easy to fold up, easy to steer, if im on a rocky surface i can lock the back wheels into place to stop it from moving so much. to be honest i didnt like the looker of the three wheelers and some were easy to steer and fold up but so was this 4 wheeler so i got it :) like others have said definately give them a road test if possible. youll be using the pram for a while so make sure you like it :) good luck!

[Cupcake]

I am happy with my 4 wheel Peg Perego Pliko, I have had a 3 wheeler & sold it.
I can lock the front wheels on this pram & run with it no problems :thumbsup:

[~EmsMum~]

I love my 4 wheeler!!! I got a light one so it makes steering a breeze

[Natsmummy]

I would go the 3 wheeler, you can drive them with one hand!!!!
Lol


I have a three wheeler and they are very easy to steer and push with one hand if need be but they do tend to be wider.

It really depends on your lifestyle as to what is better for you. I do a lot of walking and use my pram for this every day so I have found my 3 wheeler really good, but if you are just going to keep it in the car boot for trips to the shops then maybe a four wheeler is a better option. It sounded to me from your original post like you are a walker though.

All that said, I should also mention that I have pushed my friend's four-wheeler (sorry not sure what brand she has) and it is so hard to steer - reminds of trying to push a dodgy supermarket trolley.