Phil and Teds and steps.

[ValiumQueen]

I am thinking about getting a P&T, but I have three steps leading up to my house - they are quite steep, like stairs. Would this be possible with a P&T? Would I be better getting a side by side?

I do all significant stairs / steps backwards (have two steep and deep steps out of our front garden to pavement level) as if I go forward (especially with DS1 on top) and the front wheel catches at an angle it can tip the pram off balance.

I go down steps on the back wheels for the same reason (tip back on to back two not leading with front) as this is how I was taught to push a wheelchair - much more stable.

If its just one step or a kerb, I approach it and lift onto the back wheels, then push forward for a bit longer than I would with a single buggy before letting the front wheel back down to contact with the pavement. So if it does go a bit squonky you're not immediately driving back into the road.

It got a bit of getting used to the first few days but generally I find it pretty easy to Manouvre given the fact it's top-heavy with my chunky ds1 on top. We're just about to switch him to the rear seat so we'll have to see what a difference that makes...

I would probably get a side by side TBH....I know it can be tricky even dropping off a kerb with a P&Ts and the doubles kit could catch on the way down as well.

Thank you for replying ladies. I must admit I am thinking more towards a side by side. Pushchair choosing is becoming a nightmare! Grr! I did not have this problem with DD2 as DD1 was nearly 4, but there will be a 2.5 year age gap this time.

I go backwards up/down steps with my P&T and it's fine. Do you know anyone with one who can come round and let you have a go?

Oh, and at home (one step) I usually make my toddler walk in/out the house and then get in/out the pram in the garden, as then the pram's nice and light on the step. I do this with both the P&T and the side-by-side.

Skrull unfortunately I do not know anyone with one. I work full time so miss the school run. I will be stalking prams when I go on mat leave I think. I have a heavy silver cross XT currently, and do what you say, get DD2 in and out when it is already outside (I keep it in the car to save lugging it in and out), but this would not be so easy with a newborn too, especially over winter. I am taking a full year off this time, so want to be out and about especially as I will have DD2 to occupy too. She is a very fast runner too, and heavily pg or with a newborn, I would prefer she was restrained before the door is open!

yes, fair enough, depends on the approach to your house whether having them get in/out of the pram is do-able. We go in/out the back, so it is in our garden, which makes it easy and safe for DCs to be walking there.

Have you seen the Nipper Out and Abouts. I nearly bought one of those instead of the P&T and still really envy them when I see them on the street. All the benefits of the 3 wheeler, but DCs are next to each other which is more sociable.

I wouldn't get a side by side. Even the Out & About, lovely as it is, is too wide for a lot of doorways.

I had a P&T and where we lived we had very deep curbs/front door step and I didn't have any problems...

If you find it's not that great then you might have to put a wrist strap on DD until she stops being a little runner :)

Is there any reason you can't wait until you are on ML to sort this out? You don't need the pushchair immediately do you?

p&t on stairs is fine, if you have a baby in the lower seat then u need to kind of bump it down and keep one foot underneath the 2nd seat, to protect that seat from getting bumped on the steps as you go down - there is a knack to it.
i think 3 steps would be okay. side by side would be more inconvenient in terms of shopping, buses, getting through doorways etc and would that necessarily be any easier to bump up and down stairs?
the tires on p&t are good and bouncy so makes it easier than some other buggies to bump down stairs. i bump mine up and down stairs all the time to go on the tube and because of the bouncy tires, it is actually easier than it looks - as long as you keep your foot there to protect the baby when your in the toddler mode, or take the baby out while bumping down, cos if you do neither of those there is a possibility they will get bumped as you go down

Thank you. Lots to think on. I want to get the right puchchair, which is why I am thinking of it now. I also want to get something off ebay probably so need to keep an eye out for local pick up only as generally cheaper. My silver cross xt is lovely but so heavy and big, so if I go for a p and t I can offload that and start using the new one sooner.

Thank you all for your input.

I had 3 very small steep steps at my old house and my p&t was the easiest double on them, I agree just use rear wheels, I had an icandy pear, and maclaren twin techno too, the techno wouldn't fit through my door.