With a toddler already in tow and a new baby on the way, I started searching for a double stroller for my growing family last summer. In addition to stroller that holds two small children at once, I wanted a double stroller that worked for a newborn. After much research, I decided that the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller was the perfect double stroller for me and my two children. I thus purchased the stroller to test and review with my daughter and son.
About the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller
Joovy touts the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller as the smallest, most maneuverable double stroller available. I purchased the stroller in Appletree (green), but Joovy also offers Black, Purpleness (purple), and Orangetree (orange).
Features
- Seating: Comfortable two-position front seat. Accommodates children from 6 months to 45 pounds.
- Canopy: Large canopy provides great sun protection.
- Car Seat Adapter/Removable Tray: Removable child tray and universal car seat adapter included.
- Storage Basket: Storage basket under seat with elastic sides for easy access.
Technical Specifications
- Folded Dimensions: 10.5″H x 21.5″W x 41.5″L
- Folded Without Front Canopy/Tray: 14″H x 21.5″W x 38″L
- Full Dimensions: 41.50″H x 21.5″W x 37″L
- Stroller Weight: 26 pounds
- Front Seat Minimum Age: 6 months+
- Front Seat with Car Seat Adapter Minimum Age: Birth+
- Front Seat Maximum Weight: 45 pounds and 40″ maximum height
- Rear Seat Maximum Weight: 45 pounds and 44″ maximum height
- Rear Seat Minimum Age: 2.5 years
Price
Joovy currently sells the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller for $199.99. (I bought mine for $149 in 2014.) Compared to other double strollers and other similar styles of double strollers, the Joovy is priced moderately affordably. I found some other less expensive double strollers, but most stand-on models are priced significantly higher. Less expensive double strollers generally lack a newborn option. I therefore consider the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller extremely affordable for a double stroller that works for a newborn and that offers a stand-on position.
Assembly
The Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller requires some minimal assembly. When my stroller arrived on my doorstep, I set about to putting the pieces together on my own (with a little help from my toddler daughter). By following the simple instructions in the user manual, I was able to assemble the double stroller on my own in about 15 minutes. I rate the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller very highly in terms of ease of assembly.
Performance
I first started testing the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller last summer while pregnant with my son. At two and a half years old, my then 27-pound toddler daughter could sit in the front and rear seats and stand on the rear platform of the stroller. Depending on her mood, she liked to sit in the front or rear equally. While riding in the front, she could choose between sitting more upright or reclining a bit. She also really like the option of standing on the rear platform, which allowed her to climb on and off the stroller on her own more easily.
Although a double stroller, the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller also works well with one child. I especially appreciated all the extra room afforded me during my many trips up to our local library last summer. My daughter could choose to sit in the front or back, and then I used the opposite seat for extra storage. After filling the storage basket to capacity with books, I could then use either the front seat or the back seat to hold a second book bag. I am thus glad that I purchased the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller prior to the birth of my son.
While pregnant, I occasionally used the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller with the removable front tray. I love that the tray comes off because getting my daughter in and out of the front seat is usually easier without the tray attached. However, if she needs a tray, I can quickly reattach the feature. Removing the tray is just as easy and involves pressing down on a release mechanism on each side.
After the birth of my son, I switched out the removable tray for the car seat adapter. Fully equipped with a universal car seat attachment system, the Caboose accommodates an infant in almost any car seat. To use the stroller with a newborn, start by attaching the car seat adapter to the front. Then set the infant car seat rear-facing on the top front. Using the red straps on both sides of the stroller, secure the car seat to the stroller.
In terms of safety, I am completely at ease putting my son in his car seat on the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller. With the adjustable straps, I can get an extremely snug fit around the car seat. And I do not have to worry about my daughter accidentally unhooking the harness. In addition to the prongs, you must also press button in the center of the harness to unhook the straps. Thus, an infant car seat remains securely attached to the stroller at all times.
I also appreciate the safety provided by the straps on both the front seat and rear seat of the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller from Joovy. The front seat offers a five-point harness, which is ideal for infants as young as six months old. The rear seat includes a three-point harness. When my daughter rides sitting down on the back seat, she insists on buckling in because she is afraid of falling out while strolling over bumps! She feels secure with the three-point harness on the rear seat, and I feel secure with my children in either seat because of the harness systems.
Finally, folding and unfolding the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller is quite easy. To fold the double stroller up, lift the locking mechanism on the side and then lift up on the release levers on both sides of the handle. Gently push on the back to fold up the stroller. Finally hook the other locking mechanism to prevent the stroller from opening up. Then, to unfold the stroller, simply lift the lock, pull up, and lower the first lock. Once folded, the double stroller is easy to move, even for a smaller woman such as myself. At 26 pounds, the stroller is not too heavy, and even I can lift the folded stroller in and out of the back of my van. I can also fairly easily carry the unfolded stroller up and down my back steps. Thus, I highly recommend the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller for smaller individuals.
Update Spring 2015: Now that my son is over six months old and beginning to sit up on his own, he can ride in the front seat of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller. The five-point harness holds my son securely in place while he rides in the front of the stroller. I especially appreciate the footrest that lifts up and down. When my little guy gets sleepy, I can put the footrest up, which allows him to snooze more comfortably. I honestly can say that I could not go anywhere with my two children without my Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller!
Additional Features
My favorite additional feature on the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller is the storage basket. I most often use the stroller around town when walking up to the library or to the grocery store. The storage basket allows me to transport books or food around more easily. The basket is roomy enough for a fairly large book bag or a few full grocery bags.
My daughter really likes the moveable sunshade on the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller. She can adjust the shade to block the sun while she sits on either the front or the back seat. I like that I can just the shade to weigh down the car seat canopy on my son’s car seat while my daughter uses the shade to block the light. In other words, I find the adjustable sunshade quite versatile.
If I could make one change to the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller, I would add a cup holder or two to the handle. Joovy offers an add-on organizer that includes beverage holders, but I would love to have the feature included with the basic stroller. I often find myself wishing that the stroller included some cup holders while walking around town or the mall with my kids.
Related Products
Joovy also offers a number of other products to accompany the basic Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller including the Caboose Too Rear Seat, parent organizer, rain cover, and sun filter. I especially love the Caboose Too Rear Seat, which is a full-size rear seat add-on that allows for younger toddlers to use the rear seat as a forward-facing rear seat.
Final Verdict
If you are searching for a double stroller that works for a newborn all the way up to a 45 pound child, look no further than the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller. With a universal infant car seat adapter and a stand-on platform, the stroller accommodates the smallest newborn through bigger toddlers and preschoolers. At $199.99, the Caboose is affordably priced compared to both other double strollers and other similar models. Without this double stroller, I would not be able to transport both of my children around as easily. I highly recommend the Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller from Joovy to any parent looking for a versatile double stroller.
Final Update
After almost nine years of use, my Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller finally bit the dust in January of 2023. I was out on a walk with my four children on a snowy day. My fourth child, who was almost a year old at the time, was riding in the front of the stroller. I had used the stroller with my first and second and then my second and third and finally my third and fourth children. As we moved from the sidewalk to the road, the left front wheel of the stroller bumped the curb and snapped off. I was quite sad to lose my double stroller, but I got many years of use from my Joovy. I would definitely have bought this same stroller again!
You can purchase the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller on Amazon via my affiliate link.
This post was originally published on December 30, 2014 and updated on April 5, 2023.
Image Credits
Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller Review © 2014 Heather Johnson
Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Joovy
Poppy in the Front Seat of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Front Seat Harness of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Poppy Reclining in the Front Seat of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Recline Bar of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Poppy in the Front Seat with Tray of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Removing the Tray of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Car Seat Adapter of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Poppy Standing on the Rear Platform of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Infant Car Seat on the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Car Seat Harness of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Poppy and Will in the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Rear Seat Harness of the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2014 Heather Johnson
Will in the Front Seat of the the Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller © 2015 Heather Johnson
Joovy Caboose Stand-On Tandem Double Stroller with Caboose Too Rear Seat © 2014 Joovy
