Shadow Cruiser Truck Campers - Any Info?

They are definitely asking in excess of value. NADA book is about $2800 average retail. They are great units we've had ours for about 9 years now (paid $2650) and everything works great. We actually lived in it for 6 extended summers on our land in the Wyoming Rockies. Travels well with the top down (not top heavy and more aerodynamic than a full unit). Our only issue is the roof is starting to deteriorate from being left in the sun in Arizona (our fault). If I had to do it over I would have had it sprayed with a coat of PU truck bedliner. We've got a 28' foot 5th wheel now and my wife still won't part with her "Shadow" so I guess I'll have to rebuild the roof.

We owned a Shadow Cruiser pop up for a couple of years crank up was hard for us as seniors, sold it to our son, he kept it for a couple of years and finally sold it to another kid in town. It's still around and in good shape. This summer we bought a 1990 hard side Shadow Cruiser 9.5 for $2,700 and after some minor repairs and add ons, as it came from the factory the a low end equipped unit, we are getting ready for an extended 3-4 week adventure thru Georgia and looking around thru Florida along the Gulf and on thru Texas back home to Oklahoma starting next week. It came with all the original paperwork, books, brochures and wiring diagrams. How's that for a gift?! With all the stuff we did still under what that fellow was asking. Things do tend to be a bit higher in Canada from the pricing I've seen. Ours will probably outlive us as we store it inside out of the weather! Wish there were others to visit with that own these campers. By the by, our "fins" are fine even after 24 years and being used for a coyote hunting camper in Colorado! Antiques hauling an antique.

JumboJet wrote:
WE need pictures, but I bet it is a nice unit that you will enjoy for a long time.

You are right JumboJet so here are a few pics just to bring some finality to this thread. BTW - our maiden voyage was from Waterloo ON Canada to Eureka Springs AR, Memphis TN and Steeleville MO to join up with some other maxi-scooter enthusiasts who love riding in these parts.

We just love our new-to-us TC. It is in great shape and the FraserWay dealership in Cookstown ON who sells and services these units COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER to deal and work with. That's rare and unusually high praise coming from me as I have high standards and expectations of those who receive my hard earned money.

This TC is so much easier to setup and breakdown camp, everything we need is there, the bed is bigger and better, the layout although more compact is smarter and works extremely well for us and the unit itself is more practical and functional than our previous Class C.

Plus it's newer of course (earth tones decorating vs. the previous dusty rose interior ... not that there is anything wrong with dusty rose) and we got rid of an additional motor and transmission to maintain and worry about. All is good!







Thanks to all who answered our questions and guided us through our search and purchase process.

SandCamper wrote:
look at the roof, it's rubber, if it is cracked, dry rotted, patched, needs patching etc, RUN !

$$$$$ repair

The roof is rubber. Looks very clean (no visible cracks, weather checks etc.). The lap sealant looks to be in great shape. Only 1 small repair ... about 2x4 inch patch on one side that looks fine.

Picked up the unit yesterday .... will post pics once we take some.

Thanks again everybody ... we're pretty stoked.

look at the roof, it's rubber, if it is cracked, dry rotted, patched, needs patching etc, RUN !

$$$$$ repair

WE need pictures, but I bet it is a nice unit that you will enjoy for a long time.

Thought I'd better close the loop on this story.

We placed the previously mentioned 1999 Shadow Cruiser on the back burner (it's still not sold after about 2 months after first listing) and we went to see a Starcraft popup TC at a dealer's lot about 3 hours away. I called to make sure it was still available and his receptionist said "yes it is still listed".

Turns out the dealer's mechanic had bought it after having it sit there for about 7 months so it was not available despite still being listed for sale. Wasted trip but not too disappointed as we really didn't like the layout inside.

We asked if there were any other RV dealers on the way home that might have TC's. We were directed to one. Tried to get there but we got turned around and ended up at the FraserWayRv dealer in Cookstown Ontario. The General Manager showed us some new units (mostly Adventurer and Palomino) and some used units ... nothing that caught our eye or price point either way.

Then he remembered his Salesman just took in a trade on a well equipped 2007 Adventurer TC from an elderly customer who upgraded to a new model. It wasn't reconditioned yet but it sure looked like it was. The previous owner had lots of upgrades and even added his own ... he was obviously skilled on the tools as everything he did was professionally and tastefully done.

Short story - it was love at 3rd inspection (we saw it 3 times over the next 2 days) and we pick it up this Monday. Funny how things turn out. I'll be beefing our undercarriage up a little to ensure we have no troubles as it is heavier than a popup. That's where you'll find me searching over the next little while ... seeking advice on springs, air bags etc.

Thanks to all for your insights and advice.

mkirsch wrote:
... and I haven't been to the emergency room to have birdshot removed from my buttocks.

Well all I can speak about is where I live and up here in the Great White North, threatening someone with a gun let alone shooting someone is illegal in Canada. Not too worried 'bout that happening though. The seller emailed me and dropped his price to $3,500 ... just through dialogue. Now we're getting closer.:W

We bought one of those 4 years ago for $3,200 in Colorado. It was dirty from sitting under trees. Good shape but a bit much to crank up for senior citizen. Tried a hard side "A" frame pop up, hubby hated it and lacked storage so found a '90" model 9.5 Shadow Cruiser really good shape with no leaks, in same town in Colorado in June for $2,700, no AC. Added 9200 BTU Polar Cub and installed in center roof vent that was pretty wired for it, replaced water heater and other personal touches and silk need to repair/replace potty shower combo. It had everything we need in the places we need them and hauls well on our Chevy 3500 DRW Duramax with no mods. Long story short will have close to $5,700 in it when all done and going by the few offered on the net just about what is worth. Keeping it inside when not in use should extend it's useful life past our ability to use it.

It looks very clean. Even the tiedowns shine. He did drop his price so theres wiggle room. Figure the highest your willing to go, make the offer and stick to it. I bet 3500 or 3700 would be accepted. I think the seller used this lightly and maintained it well, so he feels its worth a few extra bucks. But while 5500 may seem high for a 16 year old camper, if its nice in ,out and under the skin,who's to say........