Shadow Cruiser S280QBS Axle/Tire/Propane/slide out issues

Wow...that really has to be a kick in the pants. I hope your dealer will help you getting a claim settled with Shadow Cruiser. Sounds as though they should replace the unit. Make sure you find out all your rights under your state law. And document every letter, phone call, etc. that you have with the dealer and manufacturer.

Just a few weeks ago, I was camping next to a couple that had a real nice Cruiser traile and he told me that he frequently has to go out and push on his slideout to get it started...and the dealer keeps telling him that "it's normal". That's a pile of BS. So...good luck and I hope your problems get resolved.

You may want to contact any local "action reporter" or media person that reports of consumer rip-offs. Also, see what the attorney general's office has available for assistance. I had a big dispute with DirectTV, and after filing a complaint through the NY state attorney general's office, my dispute was settled in my favor....and that was after I had gotten as far as the office of the president of Direct TV and was basically told that the problem was my fault and that one of their employees couldn't have given me the wrong info. Needless to say....DirectTV will never get any of my business!

Good luck!

Hey there, I hate to see folks with problems on the Cruiser RV line. I did a ton of research before ending up buying a 14 Viewfinder Signature 28bhss. we have towed over 3500 miles since delivery in May this year, with only minor new camper issues, (crooked blinds and a drawer that wasnt mounted correctly.) Im very thankful. But I was chiming in on the axle thing. Mine are marked 260bhs also. but they are 3500lb axles. at first i was not happy because of the under rating issues I have seen on here with Lippert axles, but once i got it weighed i realized it is really ok. My gvwr is 7660 (which im not close to btw) which made me think they were not heave enough, but my loaded for camping is only 5976 axle weight which leaves me 1024 worth of axle left to spare. the rest of the weight is up front on hitch being distributed. So that gave me some relief. I know it doesnt make the rest ok, but i am just hoping it could relieve one part of your worries. I hope your dealer takes care of you on your issues.

midnite_coffee wrote:
We purchased a 2013 Shadow Cruiser S 2QBS in April 2013.We have only used it 3 times....total of 12 days.This thing is a lemon! The dealership is on its 4th time trying to repair the slide.We have had 2 propane leaks....one where the Service Manager came to our house to repair it.We have had 2 gray water floods.The 1st gray water flood was caused by the outdoor kitchen drain hose not being attached.The second one....the dealership hasn't figured out the cause yet.The oven doesn't even stay lit.After the 2nd gray water flood we noticed the axles are for a 260BHS....so the axles and tires are underrated. Every time we set foot in this thing...something goes wrong!I was not happy to find out my state does NOT have a RV LEMON LAW.So I filed a complaint with NHTSA...and was glad to see other Shadow Cruiser complaints. Any suggestions on who else to file a complaint with?

Rule one, the only rule, don't communicate verbally only (document any conversations with the dealer) and don't take the slap on the back with the "don't worry we'll look after you".

I have not found a vehilce dealer of any type that was my friend and was looking out for my best interests.

Start with a letter to the dealer spelling out all of the defects you discussed back in rule one and your expectations for a timely resolution. Copy the manufacturers customer service/warranty department.

If you have not had a satisfactory resolution in the timeline that you and the dealer have agreed to, then write to the manufacturers CEO or president provide the details and copies of the dealer/customer service letter that you sent.

Still no satisfaction then you start giving the manufactuer and dealer about a million dollars worth free advertising. You write the editors of your local papers, the RV magazines, your BBB, state consumer protection and anyone else you think needs to know. You have already started the process by posting here.

This is a lesson that I learned a very long time ago when I was having problems with our provincial highways department. I wrote a letter to the Minister responsible and within 2 weeks problem solved.

We will way wave as we drive by Sunday or Monday. Love MT one of my favorite states.

People who are always asking which trailers are the best/worst...need to read this thread. I have seen a ton of threads on here about Shadow Cruiser and their poor quality.

Sounds as though the rest of Cruiser RV is generally ok, but stay away from Shadow Cruiser. (I know from experience-sent mine back).

You can search posts under my username to see all the problems with our Shadow Cruiser in the last year. I am happy to say the Axles seem ok so far (thanks Lippert and Cruiser) and the slide out problem (also Lippert) seems to be resolved. (knock on wood).

I guess I can attribute the underrated axles to Cruiser, but I cant really blame them for the slide out malfunctioning, since the whole mechanism was made by Lippert.

Now that our 280 has been repaired, I think I would be very nervous about purchasing any new TT. We havent had any more problems but it still was a royal pain losing a whole autumn and late summer of camping last year.

Clonefan wrote:
People who are always asking which trailers are the best/worst...need to read this thread. I have seen a ton of threads on here about Shadow Cruiser and their poor quality.

Sounds as though the rest of Cruiser RV is generally ok, but stay away from Shadow Cruiser. (I know from experience-sent mine back).

That is a hasty generalization. A few problems out of many thousands of RVs sold is nothing to draw such a dramatic conclusion on, especially since you are not factoring problems reported with other brands of trailers. They all have issues.

My S-280QBS is about a year and a half old now and it has been absolutely flawless.

If I were you I would get an attorney involved for one reason - safety issues. All of the other issues are pain the rear but the axle issue could be very unsafe and potentially life threatening. I would have the attorney write a letter demanding a resolution to the axles or full replacement or money back. All of the other items are not "life threatening" but the axle issue very well could be, if I understand your concern correctly.

Habemus Quattro wrote:

Clonefan wrote:
People who are always asking which trailers are the best/worst...need to read this thread. I have seen a ton of threads on here about Shadow Cruiser and their poor quality.

Sounds as though the rest of Cruiser RV is generally ok, but stay away from Shadow Cruiser. (I know from experience-sent mine back).

That is a hasty generalization. A few problems out of many thousands of RVs sold is nothing to draw such a dramatic conclusion on, especially since you are not factoring problems reported with other brands of trailers. They all have issues.

My S-280QBS is about a year and a half old now and it has been absolutely flawless.

I wouldn't say it's hasty...but it is a generalization. I speak from personal experience, I have owned one. It seems as though there have been more threads/posts lately about shoddy Shadow Cruisers.

Glad yours is good.

Have you contacted the manufacturer directly?

Fortunately we've not had the same trouble as you, but we have had to work with the manufacturer and they were absolutely fabulous.

I have a 2012 Shadow Cruiser 280QBS and Im am fighting the axle issue right now as well. We had a tire tread seperate on us over while on vacation in August. The tire took out the wiring to the slide as well as the break wiring. While I was changing the tire I noticed all the tires were completly worn out on the inside. The tires were replaced under warrenty twice already so they only had a few hundred miles on them, but I had to stop at discount tire and have them all replaced to get home. I am about 6 months out of warrenty and not sure what they are going to do. The trailer has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now and I have gotten absolutley no answers.

Another problem Im having is one of the roof panels have come unglued and is pushing up on the rubber roof, not because of water getting in, just because the wood has come unglued. Has anyone else had this problem? The dealer gave me an estimate of $900 to repair it since the rubber roof has to be pulled back and a whole 4x8 section needs to be replaced. I cannot believe these problems on a year and a half old trailer. This on top of all the cabinet door panels that have come off, poor trim work, just overall lack of quality. I would not recommend the Shadow Cruiser RV to anyone.