Cruiser RV Shadow Cruiser
Avg. Rating

This is absolutely the worst travel trailer/rv we have ever owned. It's still in the shop, where it's been the majority of the last year, waiting on parts. First of all, there were initial issues with workmanship. We found out at closing that they dealer had repaired a hole in the fiberglass that occurred when the bedroom cabinets were installed. That should have been our first clue. One of the bunks was improperly installed, one of the window shades broke immediately, the slide was improperly installed and part of the sofa frame was missing a large piece of fabric. We noticed a wet spot on the floor, but had a puppy and thought that he'd spilled water or something, so we didn't think too much about it. We should have. We waited around to take it in for service to make sure we addressed as many problems as possible. We took it in in May. By mid-July, my family reunion rolled around and although the repairs weren't completed (due to waiting on parts from Cruiser), we picked it up. Halfway to Abilene (about 75 miles out) the roof began to peel off. I contacted the dealer immediately and took as many pics as I could. Once we took it back to service, they submitted it to Cruiser. Even after an independent expert told them the roof was improperly installed and the glue was defective, Cruiser balked at repairing it. Eventually they agreed to paying for part of the replacement and the dealer actually covered the difference. took it out for the first time in October and noticed water damage to the trim around the slide. We also noticed wet carpet and found mold under the bunk mattress (due to improper caulking of the outdoor kitchen), so back we go to the dealer. That was October. After much back and forth with the dealer and Cruiser, Cruiser finally decided they would sent the parts (seals, trim, etc...) and I would pay for the labor. 6 months later, my rv is still at the dealer. Last I heard was that Cruiser sent the wrong color of trim. The dealership told me that this isn't just a Cruiser problem and that the manufacturers are throwing these things together and there are a lot of issues with workmanship. Getting the manufacturers to back their products is a general problem within the industry. Make sure you thoroughly check out reviews, complaint websites and the BBB before you buy. Don't live to regret your purchase as we have.

Love our 225RBS we have had ZERO problems with it since we bought it New other then a new Electric Water pump !! We did just this year put a r/v Airflow system in A/C and found that when installed the manual (6 Pages )was stuffed in exhaust port of a/c and a big hole In the plenum air was NOT going into vents ONLY problems we have had in 5 years and we travel all summer 6-7 months !

Shadow Cruiser 259BHS. Used 3 times on short trips and this thing is literally coming apart at the seams. I've owned other RVs and this is easily the the worst in terms of workmanship. 5000 words is not enough to properly describe and list every flaw in construction. Total rip off.

This trailer is absolutely awful!! I bought it drug home from Edmonton the bathroom door must’ve come unlatched flew around in there all hanging crooked when I got home like WTF!!! Now give up my trailer I just bought for warranty work suck my *^%! Shadow Cruiser 240bhs

I normally don't do reviews but there really isn't a lot of independent information out there on the Shadow Cruiser. I purchased the Shadow Cruiser 280QBS from Jeff Couch's RV Nation on 4/17/2021. I pulled it all the way back to Texas where it currently sits in my driveway. My experience thus far is as follows: Towing – I was amazed at how well it towed behind my 2007 F350. I experienced no sway in my 1,000-mile maiden voyage. I recommend getting the Blue OX Sway Pro with this unit. Quality – Quality is very subjective and I tend to believe most campers are built with the same quality construction with a few exceptions (DRV as being an exception). I do not recommend this camper to people who are unwilling or unable to fix issues themselves. There is a healthy backlog at nearly every warranty department and it may take months to get it fixed and believe me you will have issues. I noted a few issues that I experienced below. There were some rough roads from Ohio through Tennessee and some quality control issues were illuminated because of that fact. For example, the reflectors on the side of the unit are screwed with normal screws. No nuts and bolts to hold it in. As a result, two of the side reflectors popped out by the time I made it to Dallas. I changed out all of the factory screws for a traditional nuts and bolts system once I arrived home. Additionally, one of the back wheels on the passenger side sounded like it had a chain dragging. This turned out to be a broken spring that was caught in the wheel well. I had to have a mobile rv technician to help me jack up the unit to remove the wheel and replace the spring. Shadow Cruiser likes to brag about its patent pending king bed sliding system but it is terrible. In fact, I don’t think they really needed a patent on it because it is a flawed idea. The first trip out and the slide pin broke causing the bed to slide side to side for the majority of my 1,000-mile journey. I noted one significant manufacturer error related to the fresh water tank. The fresh water tank is intended to be gravity fed; however, the water line was installed above furnace ducting and angled near 90 degrees disallowing water to enter the tank. I like to boondock along the ocean and this was a major issue for me. It took me around 4 hours to reroute the water line around the furnace ducting so that water could fill the tank. The warranty company suggested having a repair person remove the refrigerator to access the pipe but I found a better way of handling it without risking sensitive electronics. The unit I purchased was winterized and there were no materials available to my specific unit that showed me how to undo the water heater bypass. The lack of materials is perhaps my biggest sore spot with the Shadow Cruiser but I will note that the warranty department is very patient and helpful in assisting with any questions related to your specific unit. Despite all of the issues I have experienced in my short time with the Shadow Cruiser, I would purchase it again. It has the floorplan I want and a 50-amp circuit with plenty of neat features that make me happy. I will slowly improve the build quality over time.

Purchased a new 2021 280QBS it has been in the shop now 4 times. Recurring water leak in bathroom ans now in the slide and refrigerator issues. Sad to spend so much money and can’t enjoy it. The dealer is working with us but horrible camper.

This is the first and last Shadow Cruiser I would ever buy. Bubbles in the front and back within the first 3 months of owning it. Nails or staples coming through the wall behind the couch and in the bedroom. The slide has never worked properly. 20,000.00 wasted!

Purchased new 2/25/19. Used 21 days during 2019, then it was in storage 8/7/19 until 5/25/20. Camped for 4 nights, it rained about 1.5 hrs the last night. Back to storage. 2 weeks later I went over to get something out of the trailer and discovered a large bubble under the fiberglass veneer at the front of the driver's side wall. Closer inspection revealed a 1/16" gap between the corner molding and the fiberglass, on both sides. Took it in to the dealer, they took photos of both sides, said the front cap has pulled out, opened a work order and submitted a warranty claim. Cruiser denied it, said I had failed to re-seal it. Dealer agrees it is not just a seal issue and re-submitted, called the regional rep. They keep dragging their feet and still have not responded more than a month later. Absolutely unacceptable quality and service!!

Bought shadow cruiser about three weeks ago. Just went out on our first trip and had several problems! One stabilizer leg would not come down. Pushed button for rear stabilizer leg and a bolt broke off from somewhere. Got up to mountains and the front sink faucet leaked, the screen door would get stuck every time we tried to open it, wouldn’t stay shut. There was a space between the wall and door jam! Wife could see staples coming out of wallpaper. Weather stripping was coming off door, and had trouble lighting the oven. NOT IMPRESSED!

Total front cap faded. Laminate on rear rippled. Paint issues. Inside mouldings seperated. Warranty after one yr they declined to fix cap issue.Frig issues not running on AC .. found problem fixed it myself

I love my Shadow Cruiser. The floor plan is great with the 277BHS. The build quality is actually really good. The only complaint I have about that is that they glued wood inserts into the trim on the cabinet doors. It didn't hold up with the kids slamming them up shut after hot storage. I think Cruiser RV did a great job with mine.

Our first brand new camper and it has been nothing but a disappointment. Horribly put together, first time camping in it the bolts ripped out underneath the slide out. Leaked between the awning and the camper like a sieve, shorting out the awning lights. Every piece of glass in the cabinet doors has fallen out. First time out this year, half the outlets don’t work, supply line leaking behind the toilet all over the floor. It’s just one thing after the other, would absolutely not recommend this brand. Live and learn but I will definitely not be purchasing another of this company’s products!

Our Shadow Cruiser is great quality at a very good price. It tows very well and is a great open layout for a small camper. I’m definitely going to purchase another Shadow Cruiser when it’s time to upgrade.

Horrible RV, poor craftsmanship, poor customer service, factory hides behind 90 check your seals clause. Our first trip the bathroom sink leaked onto the floor because the supply lines were not tight. Gas line for stove snapped off under outside kitchen on first use. Bathroom shower started to buckle and come off the wall. The floor had lumps under befroom and kitchen flooring which turned out to be water damage and the floor needed to be replaced. This was all on the first trip. Factory told me it was my fault for not checking the seals. Horrible experience missing my Rockwood Roo every day!

Ok tool this from a road trip to Illinois in 2018 2 months after buy it bringing it home. Trailer. towed great behind my 2000 f150 4x4 lariat with up grade in gears from stock 3.55 to 4.10. Trailer does pull well. We stayed in it 9 nights and notice the bed is made poor no support it had started making a mold of our body, kids beds too. The trim work in places was lose missing as the longer you stayed in it the more you'll find. The seam were seam tape was used look like a I don't like my job person had done. The black water tank flush that comes with it I'm not impress I just go use my flush king works better but it has so many curves of pipe no wonder it needs 2 flushing. The finishing as in all rv are cheap and thrown together. The fresh water take support brackets one side bolts came loose and feel off found need bolts and put in as the holes were striped out, hose from tank to regulator found dry root in a year. I say buy one after one has owned and fix every thing. We made it there and back to colorado.

Water leak in bathroom shower, and a leak in kitchen sink. Paneling loose. Leak in out storage area. Worst trailer we have bought. We had a Montana best of all. Will not buy again from rv in Oklahoma,

This is an incredible trailer that was well-designed in its floor plan to accommodate larger groups without feeling cramped. The large slide makes it spacious. The trim package makes it feel like we took our home with us rather than a cheap motel. I don't know who designs the interior fabric for other RV companies, but I think they spent their early career designing casino and motel carpets. This is an ultralight model, and we have towed it with our Tahoe for years without any issues. Absolutely love this model!

I decided to wait for a few years of use to do a real review. I say for the price it is a great trailer. We have not have one real machanicle issue yet. Slide out has worked great and that was my big worry. We have had a few trim issues which is to be expected with going down the road. It comes with pretty cheap tires, so I would replace them soon after your purchase. We take good care of it and check the pluming to make sure it stays tightened. I reseal the windows yearly and check and keep the roof clean. I grease the axels every year which is very easy with these axels. The maintenance is the key to having a good experience with a travel trailer. This trailer has served my family well and I would buy another one. I think you can't beat it for the price range.

I lived in this trailer for 6 months. It is comfortable and very spacious for 2 people. We never felt cramped. The bunk house in the back was especially nice as a closet for hanging clothes and storage. The trailer is light and easy to tow.

The axles are just barely able to hold the weight of the camper. I had a certified RV shop tell me this and Cruiser RV will not take any responsibility for there product. They say it's rated but don't have any answers as to why my tires keep balding on the inside treads). Oh the warranty guy told me that it's probably a welding issue. So I say, well that's a manufacturing issue to which he hangs up on me. Classy. I've ignored a lot of the little stuff like a shower head breaking trim pieces falling off, door locks breaking and not to mention water pump issues (when the fresh water tank is 1/2 full or less it can't pump up water to the faucets). There maybe happy Cruiser RV owners out there but be aware that they don't stand behind their products. I get that it's an entry level camper so that's why I never sweated the small stuff. But an axle issue is far from a small issue. Buyer beware I would never recommend any of this company's products.

Best floor plan for families!