Spacious kid hauler
Spacious kid hauler
I purchased the Larktale Caravan V3 in Avalon Grey for use with my 1 and 3 year old. Its intended purpose is for anywhere from everyday use to all day outings with the family. This wagon certainly has enough room for 2 children and allows them to stretch their legs while still having personal space.
The fabric quality is great. The interior seats have a soft and smooth texture with some padding to the seats and optional footwell covering. The exterior is a rougher material that does wipe clean very easily with water or soap and water depending on the source. The no-rethread harnesses are easy to use and allows my riders to switch sides with no fuss. The actual tightening function of the straps could use some improvement as it does require some work. The reclining seats work as expected and is a lovely feature often not found on wagons.
The canopies that came with the wagon have a nice mesh peakaboo window but I did find it harder to see through it due to the mesh being grey like the canopy. I purchased the summer canopy set separately and do recommend them for improved visual on the kids when in use and extra air flow for warmer climates. The summer canopies do have an audible click during extension that I found to be a little louder than necessary. I also purchased the pull bar attachment. If you plan to go over any rougher terrain or up steeper inclines, the pull bar does reduce the effort needed to navigate those terrains and situations. It secures in the upright position with a Velcro strap. I would like to see the spring loaded feature added or an alternative securement method as the strap tends to slide down during use which doesn’t allow for a seamless transition between push and pull mode.
The fold could not be easier. The press of a button and pull of a strap and the wagon folds up to a nice size. The automatic lock is a good touch. The push handle is adjustable allowing for a comfortable height for myself or my husband. I am 5’4” and my husband 6”. The overall push is very smooth and the four wheel suspension made for a comfortable ride on different terrains. It did feel a little more “bus like” than my tandem stroller but did handle turns quite well. I would like to see some wider wheels to navigate rocky and sandy terrains. The V3 model received a change to its storage basket, allowing it to be moved from front to back of the wagon. This is convenient so that if you want to have your belongings closer to you, you can but you can also move it to the front giving riderboard riders more room at the back when in use.
As far as my expectations, it is a little on the larger side for everyday use than I intended given my kids’ ages but I am glad we have a wagon that can grow with our children and our family. It is a bit overwhelming during the first use but each time I use it my love for it grows.
