Kolcraft Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller {Silent Auction- GIVEAWAY & Review}

I’ve tried to avoid double strollers for a long time now because the ones I’ve had in the past have been bulky, heavy and a huge pain to fold and unfold. However, now that I have a five month old and a 4 year old who is spunky and loves to run everywhere it’s a necessity that my four year old be strapped down. To me baby wearing is great in some instances but I hate having to take my baby out of his car seat when he’s fallen asleep in the car.
Being a Kolcraft Mom is awesome because Kolcraft so generously sent me the Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller to review. The stroller was pretty easy to put together. The larger pieces were already attached we just had to put the wheels, canopies, accessories and a few other things together. My 4 year old daughter’s favorite accessory was the little red and yellow steering wheel and almost ran off with it before we could even get it attached. In fact when we were deciding which double stroller to get I asked her to choose between a couple and she chose this one because of the toys.

Easy Front Seat Access for Bigger Kids
One of my favorite features is the easy front seat access. It makes it really easy for my four year old to get in and out of the stroller. While I don’t want my four year jumping in and out she has to work a little bit to get the five point harness safety belt undone so it’s a great feature for us. The tray spans about halfway across, just enough to include a spot for snacks an a spot for her toy steering wheel.
Holds both your baby and toddler!
The stroller can accommodate up to 80lbs – 40lb max child weight per seat and while I don’t want to be pushing 80lbs plus the weight of the stroller (about 35lbs) around it does make it nice and convenient that I’ll be able to keep both of my kids in the stroller for a while.
Storage & Infant Car Seat Attachment Features
I love the storage basket underneath! In the past I’ve had trouble even accessing the storage basket under double strollers but this one is nice and big and more easily accessible. Another great feature is it’s ability to accommodate an infant car seat in the rear seat. This is vital to me when I have an infant under the age of 1 because that’s why I want a stroller so I don’t have to take my child out of his car seat when I’m out and about and he’s sleeping. The Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller can accommodate 15 different infant car seats with a simple strap that’s attached toe the stroller at all times that just clicks over top of the car seat. I love this because that means there isn’t an extra piece you have to carry around like some strollers that I would probably end up walking off without or loosing.
Fun and Convenient Extras
My four year old daughter’s favorite spot of course is the front (so she can play with the toys) but she also tried out the rear seat and loved the little bar back there for her feet to rest on. One downside is the lack of space for mom to put all of her little things, however there is a detachable cup holder for mom that I used for my cell phone and car keys. So when you aren’t carrying around a water bottle this is a great spot for all your extras.
Features:

• Big-kid friendly with easy front seat access
• Child tray with toy steering wheel and cup holder
• Handle adjusts to 3 height positions
• Parent cup holder for drinks
• Independent reclining seat backs
• Both children can recline or sit upright at the same time
• Rear seat can accommodate 15 different infant car seats
• Sunrider canopies adjust to block the sun
• Lots of storage- huge basket plus cargo bags for storing all babies’ gear
• Compact fold (21 3/4 w x 36 3/4 h x 18 d) makes it easy to store in tight spaces
• Height-adjustable 5-point harness for safety and padded sleeves for comfort
• JPMA Certified
• 40lbs. maximum child weight per seat, 80lbs total
• One-year manufacture warranty

The following brands of infant car seats can be used:

• Baby Trend® EZ Flex-Loc

• Baby Trend® Flex-Loc

• Baby Trend® Latch-Loc

• Britax® Chaperone

• Chicco® KeyFit

• Chicco® KeyFit 30

• Combi® Shuttle 33

• Graco® Safe Seat

• Graco® SnugRide® Infant

• Graco® SnugRide® 30

• Graco® SnugRide® 32

• Graco® SnugRide® 35

• Peg Pérego® Primo Viaggio

• Safety1st® onBoard™ 35

• Safety 1st® onBoard™ AIR

 

Compact and Maneuvers Well!

 

I definitely love how compact the stroller is. While it’s not your umbrella stroller, or other lightweight stroller it definitely is much better than the typical double stroller (at least one’s I’ve used in the past) when it comes to space. I was able to fold this up and stick it in the back of my minivan along with our other single stroller and my Costco groceries. It wasn’t super easy to fold up (you can’t do it with just one hand) but after getting my groceries and kids in the car it only took a few seconds to fold up and put it in the back of my vehicle. It’s maneuverability is also great. I also used to think of double strollers like those huge carts at the grocery store with the cars attached for the kids- which in my mind are horrible, they definitely don’t turn well at all but the Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller is nothing like that! Oh and it also has easy foot brakes for those times when you don’t want your stroller rolling away or your child trying to push it away- and when I say easy I mean EASY. I can unlock the brakes in my bare feet without much struggle (this doesn’t mean the brakes will come off by themselves but I’m not struggling and hurting my feet when in flip flops to undo them).

So if you’re in need of a double stroller definitely check out the Jeep Traveler Tandem. If you’re undecided I hope I’ve been able to sway you in that direction and get rid of the notion that double strollers are awful because I’ve definitely been LOVING my Kolcraft Jeep Traveler Tandem!
Silent Auction Giveaway:
Now onto the best part – one of my lucky readers is going to have the opportunity to get their own Kolcraft Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller!
While this is not a GIVEAWAY because of the high value of this item I will be holding a SILENT AUCTION on this blog post where the proceeds will all go to KIDS- Kids In Distressed Situations.

At Kolcraft we believe in developing and manufacturing “must have” baby products that make parents’ and caregivers’ lives easier. We also understand that certain circumstances have made it difficult for some parents’ to obtain the safe, quality products they desire for their little ones. For this reason Kolcraft has partnered with K.I.D.S. (Kids In Distressed Situations); an organization that brings hope and self-esteem to children in need and their families by providing needed products such as crib mattresses, bassinets, strollers and more.

Since 1985 K.I.D.S. has reached out to more than 64 million children in need by distributing more than a half billion dollars worth of new merchandise. These children are in dire situations because they are victims of domestic abuse, natural disasters, homelessness, serious illness, or their parents are incarcerated. K.I.D.S. also serves military families who are suffering financial hardship while a loved one is deployed.

Kolcraft has been partnering with K.I.D.S. since its inception. Thomas Koltun, President of Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., who serves on the board of K.I.D.S. feels that it is imperative for corporations to be involved in the community, especially to assist the youngest and most helpless people in need.

At Kolcraft we believe that every child matters. Our involvement with KIDS is a dynamic partnership where we help each other make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children and families. Our desire is to give back to the community and give children hope for a better tomorrow. - Thomas Koltun, President of Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.

Join Kolcraft in making a difference in the lives of children!

THE RULES:
What a great opportunity to get this Kolcraft stroller at a great deal and donate to a great charity at the same time.

• Bidding will start at $5.00
• Bidding will run until Tuesday, September 18, 2012 – 9pm PT.
• Please place bids in the comment section in increments of $5.00.
• Please include your email address in your comment with each bid
• At the end of the silent auction whoever has the highest bid wins

Good luck and happy bidding!!

*Retail Value of the Kolcraft Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller is $249.99.

*Because of shipping Kolcraft has decided to limit this giveaway/silent auction to those living in the continental USA only. Thank you.

Disclosure: As part of the Kolcraft Mom’s Program, Kolcraft generously sent me the Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller in exchange for my review, however no monetary compensation was received and all opinions stated here are from my own personal experience. Product for Silent Auction is also generously being donated by Kolcraft.