Baby Trend Expedition 2-in-1 Stroller Wagon Review

Baby Trend Expedition

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How it Compares

The Expedition 2-in-1 Stroller Wagon is a well-reviewed lower-cost 2-seat wagon. It competes with the Jeep Wrangler and Evenflo Pivot Xplore which have similar prices, and higher-priced wagons like the Veer Cruiser and Keenz 7s.

The Expedition is better equipped out of the box than most of the alternatives as it includes a car seat adapter, full coverage canopy, a nap mat, snack tray and cup holders.

Most Common Complaints

We read all of the critical reviews about the Expedition wagon and reduced them to a list of common criticisms. We’ve commented on each of them, providing our own experience with the wagon, which sometimes agrees and sometimes disagrees with the negative comments.

Criticism	Our Experience
Big after folding, heavy	It is 13.1 cubic ft folded which is bigger than any other 2-seat wagon we tested. It is also heavier than the other wagons except for the Jeep Wrangler.
Won’t fit in a car	We could not get it in the trunk of a Honda Civic but were able to put it in the back of a minivan with the rear seats up.
Plastic pieces weak or broken on arrival	We didn’t experience any problems with broken or weak pieces
Difficult to maneuver	The maneuverability score was average. It scored better than the Jeep Wrangler, worse than the Pivot Xplore and about even with the Keenz 7S.
Too small for 2 kids	When children are seated and buckled, their feet stretch out in front and competed for the same space since this wagon doesn’t have a footwell. It is also 1″ to 3″ shorter than the other wagons we tested that do not have footwells.
Heavy, hard to push	We measured the force required to push it loaded with 80 lbs and found it to be average. The Pivot Xplore and Veer Cruiser were easier to push in the same tests.
Uncomfortable seating	Foam seat pads raise the seats off the floor of the wagon 2 inches which compensates somewhat for the lack of a footwell. However, the seats don’t recline, aren’t adjustable or ventilated. They aren’t the most comfortable or least comfortable of those we tested.
Cushion/seat would not stay in place	True. We tried to push the seat cushions back as far as possible but they slide forward a bit. The harness goes up through the cushion so they can’t slide too far, but they don’t stay flush against the ends of the wagon.
Damage on arrival	No damage for us
Canopy doesn’t provide sufficient shade	We estimate that canopy provides 40% coverage from the sun. It is adjustable but isn’t always able to fully protect two kids.
Push bar not removable or adjustable	The handle is fixed at 40.75 inches and can’t be adjusted.
Wheels squeak	Not for us

Testing and Research

We evaluated the top 25 stroller wagons on the market and narrowed the list down to eight quality wagons. We purchased those eight and conducted 65 tests and measurements over a 3-month period. We pushed and pulled on various terrains and compared functions and features. Two moms and two dads were on the test team as well as several kids.

Parent Comfort and Usability

The Baby Trend Expedition scored well in this category that includes things like cleaning, assembly, brake usage, accessories, and storage. Here are scores for parent comfort and usability:

Getting Started

Assembly time took 18.5 minutes. The packaging was adequate. Wheels and accessories connect easily.

Customer service took 9 hours to respond to our email which isn’t bad but all the other companies responded in less than 2 hours.

Handles

The rear handle has a fixed height of 40.75 inches. Many other wagons are adjustable from between 30 to 42 inches, so taller or shorter parents may find the handle uncomfortable. The majority of parents shouldn’t have a problem with it.

One feature of “stroller wagons” is that they can be pushed like a stroller and pulled like a wagon. The Expedition pull handle is stored out of the way under the wagon until you need it.

Car Seat Adapter

A car seat adapted is included that snaps to the frame after unzipping the side fabric. This link lists car seats that are compatible with the adapter.

Storage Volume Ranking

The Expedition has a good-sized storage bin attached to the top of the handle. It is convenient and has room for two drinks and more. There is also a snap-on storage container that can mount on the front or back. The two together provide a good amount of storage.

Cleaning

The fabric is not made to be removable and machine washable but it can be easily spot cleaned.

The insides are accessible and it is fairly easy to remove crumbs and dirt. Here is how the wagons compare on crumb removal ratings:

Brake Operation

With brake pedals on both rear wheels that control both wheels at the same time, it was easy to activate the brakes. Releasing the brakes is hard on bare and sandaled feet.

In our runaway wagon test, the brakes stopped the weighted stroller but it skidded a bit first.

Steering and Maneuverability

This is another category where the Expedition is in the middle of the pack. We loaded the wagon down and ran it through a number of steering and terrain tests.

Steering and maneuverability ratings:

Pushing and Turning

In one push test, we measured the force required to get the wagon rolling to a walking pace while loaded with 80 lbs, 40 lbs in the front and back.

We also made a sharp turn from a dead stop measuring the force required to push one side of the stroller. The Veer with swivel wheels in the back made this easy.

Terrain Performance

All of the terrain tests were performed with the wagon weighted down. The Baby Trend performed pretty well in these tests. It feels a little more like a large stroller than a wagon compared to some of the longer wagons.

Grass: The Baby Trend rolls well over the kind of grass you find on athletic fields and in parks.

Hills: None of the wagons were fun to push uphill. But there is nothing about the design of the Expedition that makes it more difficult on hills than other wagons.

Bumps: The Veer Cruiser has large wheels in the front that were able to roll over bumps and branches that gave the Expedition problems. In pull-mode the Expedition can get over small roots, branches, and stones but you don’t want to do too much of that for the sake of the kids. Bump ratings:

The front wheels are 8 inches in diameter which is typical for most stroller wagons. They are 1.5 inches wide which is thinner than many. The rear wheels are 11 inches in diameter which is smaller than all but the Evenflo Pivot.

All in all the wheel size is not sufficient to consider this an all-terrain wagon, although it can certainly operate on the grass, and on hard-pressed sand and gravel when necessary.

Staying Straight

Some strollers and wagons have a frustrating tendency to pull toward one side or another. We tested pushing the wagons down a centerline and measured how far they went before starting to veer off the line.

Most of the wagons had similar performance in this category. Straight push test results:

Steering

Our overall maneuverability assessment for the Expedition is in the middle of the pack. Maneuverability Ratings:

Folding and Transport

This wagon is easy to fold but doesn’t fold down small and is awkward to lift when folded. Folding and Transport ratings:

Folding

Folding the Expedition is fast and easy.

The canopy pushes down quickly and doesn’t have to be removed. The snack tray can also remain in place.

Both handles release levers have to be pulled at the same time and the one on the left requires a safety latch to be flipped first. After that, the wagon folds down flat and there is a plastic strap on the side to keep it locked in the folded position. Fold times:

Unfolding is fast and easy.

Folded Size in Cubic Feet

The Baby Trend folds flat and does not stand when folded like many other wagons:

Unfortunately, the Baby Trend Expedition takes up more space folded than the other 2-seat wagons. Folded size in cubic feet:

The Expedition fit fine in the back of our minivan but it would not fit in the trunk of our Honda Civic.

While it is certainly doable to lift and transport the Expedition, the combination of its larger size and extra weight isn’t helpful.

The wheels can be removed to make more space. The rear wheels come off easily, but it is difficult to press the metal release tab on the front wheels.

Kid Comfort and Usability

Kids like the Expedition. In this category, we evaluated the seats, canopy, snack tray, kid cup holders, nap mat, and more. Scores for Kid comfort and usability:

Seats

The back of each seat is padded and the foam seat cushion (which doubles as a nap mat) can be installed to boost children an additional inch above the floor of the wagon.

There is no footwell so children’s legs and feet compete for the space in the middle.

The harness is a 3-point system. We were able to unsnap the harness with one hand.

Baby Trend says that children should be able to sit upright unassisted before it is safe for them to use the wagon. Infants can be placed in a compatible infant car seat which can be strapped to the car seat adapter.

Snack Tray and Storage

The Expedition has a snack tray included with deep compartments both for cups and snacks.

The Inside

This wagon measures 30″ x 15″ x 12″ on the inside. That makes it the same size as the Evenflo but smaller than the Jeep, Radio Flyer, and the Keenz.

Getting In and Out

Bigger toddlers can climb in over the sides unassisted. Smaller tikes will have to be lifted. The sides are low enough for all kids to be able to see directly out.

Play and Nap Mat

The foam seat cushions also fold out to form a flat nap or play surface on the base of the wagon floor. This is an advantage over the Evenflo Pivot.

Canopy

The canopy operates well. It can be easily folded down to either front or back. It provides approximately 40% full sun coverage.

Mesh sides, mosquito netting, can be dropped down from the ends of the canopy for full coverage of the wagon.

The netting is stored in zippered compartments. It is tricky to put the netting back in its compartment without getting the zipper stuck.

While the netting provides full coverage, there may be some small gaps where mosquitos can sneak in. Elastic holds the netting in place.

The Keenz 7S also comes with mesh mosquito netting on the ends of the canopy but it doesn’t form a tight fit.

Part and Material Quality

Although the Expedition did not have a top score in this category, there are no significant quality issues that we uncovered. Scores for part and material quality:

All of the moving parts including the folding mechanism, brakes, canopy, storage bin flip bracket, pull handle, and harnesses, operated smoothly and effectively for us.

Zippers, buttons, and velcro also held up well.

Wheels

The wheels are made from EVA foam like many of the wagons we tested.

The front wheels have spring suspension.

Baby Trend 2-in-1 Expedition vs Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is a wider, longer wagon with front wheels set wide apart to give it a jeep look.

Both are 2-seater wagons that come well equipped with accessories including a canopy, extra storage, and parent cup holders. These are the only two wagons we tested that included a car seat adapter.

Neither wagon has reclining seats or a footwell so the seat comfort is not optimal with either one.

The Jeep Wrangler is in the same price category as the Baby Trend but typically sells for a bit more.

See our full review of the Jeep Wrangler.

Advantages of the Expedition over the Wrangler:

• Better on grass, hills and bumps
• Easier to push and steer
• Easier to fold
• 4 lbs lighter
• Mosquito netting
• Lower price

Advantages of the Jeep Wrangler over the Baby Trend Expedition:

• Insulated cooler bag included
• More space on the inside, 3 inches longer, 3 inches wider
• 5-point harnesses
• More storage
• Canopy has greater sunshade coverage

Baby Trend Expedition vs Evenflo Pivot Xplore

The Evenflo Xplore was the second-highest scoring wagon to the Veer Cruiser among 2-passenger wagons. The Expedition came in third tied with the Radio Flyer Discovery wagon.

The Xplore maneuvers better, is lighter, takes up less space folded, and has a footwell.

The wagons are similarly priced.

Baby Trend includes a car seat adapter but it is an upgrade for the Evenflo. Both wagons provide decent storage space.

See our full review of the Evenflo Pivot Xplore.

Advantages of the Expedition over the Xplore:

• Mosquito netting
• Car seat adapter included
• Nap mat included
• Better, more accessible parent cupholders

Advantages of the Evenflo Pivot Xplore over the Baby Trend Expedition wagon:

• Smaller folded size
• Easier to maneuver
• Better terrain performance
• A footwell for more comfortable sitting
• 7 lbs lighter

Baby Trend Expedition vs Radio Flyer Discovery Stroll ‘N Wagon

The Radio Flyer Discovery and Baby Trend Expedition had the same total scores in our testing but for different reasons.

The Expedition comes with a lot more accessories including a car seat adapter, snack tray, kid cup holders, mosquito netting, and more additional storage space.

The Radio Flyer has a unique feature with its zip-down side where it can form a bench that kids can use to sit on or climb on and off of.

The Radio Flyer is also only half the price of the Expedition. It is very light, easy to fold and easy to stow.

See our full review of the Rado Flyer Discovery Stroll ‘N Wagon.

Advantages of the Baby Trend Expedition over the Radio Flyer Discovery:

• Car seat adapter
• Slightly better maneuverability
• Mosquito netting
• More storage
• Foam seat cushion that converts to a nap mat
• Slightly easier fold

Advantages of the Discovery over the Expedition:

• Much lower price
• 11.5 lbs lighter
• More compact folded size
• Easier to lift and stow
• One reclining and adjustable seat
• Zip-down side to convert to a bench seat and let kids crawl in on their own