A Must for Moms and Dads With 3 Babies/Toddlers

I want to start by saying that this stroller enabled me to have my independence back. I had a daughter in 2001 and in early 2003, I gave birth to twins. The three children were 16 months apart and I found myself lost as how to enter the outside world safely. Children love stroller rides and I was determined to get my children out of the house. I was able to purchase a used stroller and it was the best decision I made. I new these sold for about $650 new and I was just fortunate to find a used one.

The Peg Perego triplette stroller features the following:
- three independent seats which may lowered into 2 positions by lifting a handle on the back of each seat
- seats may all face forward, towards the rear, or a combination of positions
- seats have a front bar which is removable
- seats have a leg rest which may be raised or lowered as desired
- 3 pt seat harnesses with easy plastic buckle closure
- machine washable seat covers
- three removable canopies which are adjustable both in height and in forward/backward tilting
- one large rectangular metal frame basket ( approximately 24"x36" ) which is underneath the seats
- my stroller had large carriage wheels
- front and rear wheel brakes

Each stroller seat can transport a child 50lbs or less. Although I could get no confirmation from Peg Perego, a child as small as 10lbs may safely ride in a fully reclined position and with wedges of blankets to inhibit side movement. Through experience, I found that an average sized child might touch the ground and become uncomfortable sitting in the front stroller seat at approximately 4 years of age.

Let me walk you through the stroller's assembly. The seats must be removed in order to fit this stroller inside a vehicle. The base of the stroller is approximately 3ftx4ft and fits in the back of most if not all minivans as well as the Chrysler Concorde sedan. The handlebar is attached to the wheel base and it lifts up and is secured by two clips found approximately knee height which attach to the sides of the frame which raise up easily. Next, each seat may be inserted one at a time. There are four pins on the exterior perimeter of the seat. Each one must be pulled out approximately 1/8". These pins fit within notches on the stroller's frame. The pins are secured by turning knobs on the stroller's frame. The knobs advance a cover over the pin which secures it to the stroller. All of the foot rests must be lowered in order to install the seats and may be adjusted following assembly. The canopies, if required, are just inserted into two horizontal notches in the seat and are removed by depressing the orange buttons provided on the seat.

After this assembly, you may place your children in the stroller one at a time. The heaviest child should sit in the front and they are the last to be placed in the stroller and the first to come out. This is so that the stroller does not try to tilt due to weight imbalance. Each seat has a waist belt and a fastener which rides up between the legs. Just like all Peg Perego belts, they are easily adjusted for size.

In order to lock and unlock the wheels, you must lift your stroller up and use your foot to reposition a steel bar which secures the back wheels, or the front wheels if you lift the front of the stroller. It is somewhat tricky to remove the brake as you have to hold the weight of the stroller and children while reaching under with your foot to release the brake.

Now, you are ready to push the children around. The stroller that I owned did not have pivoting wheels. It had a carriage style chassis. Therefore, to make turns, you have to lift or lean on the handlebar and pivot the stroller yourself. This is much easier to do while the stroller is moving. If you don't lift enough, the rubber on the wheels could slide off. This is easy enough to fix with your hands. I found that it was sometimes easier to pull the stroller than to push it. It was easier to lift with the handlebar than to push it down and lift the front up (with your heaviest child in there). Be careful that a child's feet doesn't touch or drag on the ground when making turns.

Despite all of the cumbersome details I have provided, it was effortless compared to taking care of the children. It provided a mechanism to go out with my children and have them safe, comfortable and secure.

I have some wish list items for the stroller:
-wish it had an easy place to fasten and store toys
-wish it had a cup holder
-wish it had a rubbery handle rather than ribbed plastic
-wish the company provided a few hooks so you could transport more items or hang a purse and diaper bag - sometimes hard to load and unload the bottom basket with kids' feet dangling there.
-wish it wasn't so darn heavy but it is super durable!