Back with a few more questions

[Bawugna]

Hi folks, I popped on here a while ago and then phased out......research is a slow process! I am the guy transitioning out of a boat and into an TTRV.

My GF and I created must have list each and then ignored all else but units with the attributes we seek. Our list is simple.....flat sides (easy to clean and wax), ample food prep space (tall order on many it seems), 3 side walk around bed, one bump out (holds dinette), nice sized shower/tub unit (wanna wash my feet while comfortably bending over, no contortions).....and I think that is it really. We attended the Hershey Show and saw the 2 units we were interested in. After all the torture we put the reps through we walked around and happened across the Shadow Cruiser 225. The food prep space is amazing and even though the unit is only 22 feet it is roomy...plenty for the 2 of us. The newer shower on these units is nice,(circular front) and we both agreed that we have found the unit we have both envisioned.

Can I get some opinions on the unit? I know it is a bit of a price point unit but it appears to be well put together. I will immediately swap the lights for LED and will get either a 8D battery or a pair of 27 series units and will see what I can do about solar charging.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance folks.
Jim

[VegasBT]

If food prep is one of your main concerns, you might want to take a look at the Lance 2385. It's got one of the largest kitchen areas I have ever seen in a short trailer. My wife and I looked hard at the Lance 1585 before settling on the Coleman 191QB (the price difference was substantial), but if money was no object, I would definitely have a Lance parked in my yard!

[jc1843]

I suggest what I and many already have --- two 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries-- wired in series for 12 volts. That will provide longer power and easy to recharge. I dry camped two months ago for four days, and used the big screen TV, and Dish antenna through am inverter, , and still had plenty of power.

[Dennis_Smith]

The wife and i have a 22 foot fun finder, the box is 17 feet. We plan on full timing in it. Is it small, yep but that is why we like it. Can get in any camp ground. Can go a week dry camping. My wife likes to tell everyone " we are best friends and like being close" would bigger be nice, yep but what would we do with all that space? Our home is 1600 sf and it's big for us. It's not because of money that we like small, oh by the way I am over 6 feet and 260 pounds.

[ADK_Camper]

We have a 2012 Fun Finder 210WBS also made by Cruiser RV. It is approximately the same size as the Shadow Cruiser you are considering. We are a couple with a Lab mix dog.

We find the size entirely adequate for our needs. We often camp two weeks at a time and have no problem with the overall size of the camper. The main difference between our camper and the one you are considering is the kitchen prep area (yours is much better) and the slide (ours has a sofa no dinette). The sofa vs dinette is a personal preference. We like the sofa because we find it much more comfortable for lounging than a dinette. We eat outside as often as weather premits and use folding tables inside when necessary. I would suggest that you sit at the dinette for an extended period to make sure you will find it comfortable. As to storage, we find our small camper has more than enough. We have always been very focused on organizing our stuff and taking only what we actually need and use. We are also pretty dilligent about putting everything away when not using it. Because you are a boater I'm pretty sure you also follow the philosophy of "everything has a place and everything is in its place."

As to build quality: we are very satisfied. In four seasons of camping we have had only one significant problem. Our slide uses the Schwintek mecanism. The mechanism has worked well with no issues, but there was one problem with the slide's installation. Under the slide there are three nylon rollers that support the slide as it moves in and out. One of those rollers was so impacted with caulk that it would not turn. As a result the buttom of the slide skidded across this roller every time the slide moved. It went unnoticed until the roller began tearing up the underside of the slide's floor. I managed to dig out the caulk enabling the roller to turn normally, and I also reinforced the damaged floor with a sheet of aluminum. So if this camper uses the Schwintek slide I'd recommend checking those rollers to make sure they operate properly.

[campigloo]

Sounds like you have found what you like. Go for it! Don't overthink it. The best TT I have ever found is a 6-4-2. Drinks 6, feeds 4, sleeps 2. Have fun!

[CavemanCharlie]

Bawugna wrote:
Use is a good question. Amanda and I have thought about that quite a bit. As a boat owner I have spent every available weekend on the boat for the past 17 seasons. As with any boat, we have gotten used small quarters and spending much of our time outside the boat doing things.
What we envision is a large number of weekends spent in a 100 to 200 mile radius or our homes. We will do the 4 or more day vacation type runs a bit further out. So we are essentially looking at a few days at a time relatively close to home. In time we are looking to do longer distance and time trips, once we get used to the whole lifestyle. We do not have nor desire kids, being in our 40s that is a decision we are confident we will stick to. We may have a dog with us occasionally, well trained and house/living quarter respectful (we do it in a 25 foot boat occasionally now). Doing a long term living type thing is not in our cards so short jaunts will not find a smaller unit closing us in much.

That's a good answer to the question. I'm a bachelor. I have a 22 foot TT with no slide out that I use every weekend and it works just fine for me. If you are used to a boat and you plan on spending your time out doing things then don't be afraid of a smaller TT.

I just got back from a weekend fishing trip. With 2 married friends (Actually, there living in sin but, they might as well get married they've been together for years) and a 11 year old boy. The small TT worked for us quite well. They slept on the front bed, me on the dinette, and the kid slept in the little bunk above the front bed. All we used the TT for was sleeping. The rest of the time we were out and about.

We all have different preferences. The only thing I see on the one you are looking at is that since the dinette is always in the slide out, and the slide is always on the street (left) side, then you can not see the lake, beach, campsite, or whatever when setting in the dinette. My little TT with no slide has the dinette on the curb (right) side and I can get up in the morning and have breakfast looking at the lake. To each his own, that's why they make different models.

The rear bath is a great option that I love in my TT. If you have the bath in the middle it makes the whole TT have a hour glass shape that really limits you room. I like the fact that the one you are looking at has the rear bath. It really opens up the floor plan.

[Aadkins101]

My husband & I have a 2011 Shadow Cruiser (22 ft long), which we purchased used in 2013. We love it! We lived in it for almost 2 months in FL & SC last winter, with our 37 lb Beagle, and we were perfectly comfortable. Zero issues so far.....it seems really well made.

[Bawugna]

Use is a good question. Amanda and I have thought about that quite a bit. As a boat owner I have spent every available weekend on the boat for the past 17 seasons. As with any boat, we have gotten used small quarters and spending much of our time outside the boat doing things.
What we envision is a large number of weekends spent in a 100 to 200 mile radius or our homes. We will do the 4 or more day vacation type runs a bit further out. So we are essentially looking at a few days at a time relatively close to home. In time we are looking to do longer distance and time trips, once we get used to the whole lifestyle. We do not have nor desire kids, being in our 40s that is a decision we are confident we will stick to. We may have a dog with us occasionally, well trained and house/living quarter respectful (we do it in a 25 foot boat occasionally now). Doing a long term living type thing is not in our cards so short jaunts will not find a smaller unit closing us in much.

[CavemanCharlie]

westend wrote:
How do you intend to use the TT?

Good Question. I go camping in a 22 foot TT every weekend that I can. But, as just a weekend camper I never get that far from home and I like the small size for being easy to tow. I don't think I would want to live in it though.

[westend]

How do you intend to use the TT?

[ken56]

I think 22 ft will get cramped real quick for you. I say keep looking and if you can get one 25-26 ft you will have more space for all the stuff your going to want to take with you when you go camping. Granted, what you have to tow it with will determine what you can really get.

[CavemanCharlie]

I say if you makes you happy then buy it. Make sure you do a really, really, close inspection before you tow it home. A lot of these new TT are built with poor quality. I also suggest you do a exhaustive internet search first to look for design flaws. After that then I say go have fun camping.

[Bawugna]

Bumpyroad wrote:
couldn't find out what the roof is made of, probably either TPO or rubber. if rubber I wouldn't want it. no comfy place to sit, other than dinette. how was that and could you watch TV from there. are you sure you can bend over in that shower?
what are you towing it with? can you go up a foot or two?
bumpy

The dinette table removes and the whole affair turns into a sofa, Or at least I am sure that is the case with this one. The roof is not rubber. I want to say a vinyl product. The model we saw has a rounded shower door and a foot shelf directly across from it. The website only shows a straight shower door, that might be a deal killer if we can't get the rounded door. I am currently driving a Ford F 150 with a 5.4 and from what I could find it will tow 6900 lb max. We really do not need nor want anything larger. We have looked at Jayco and KZ models that are a few feet longer and we were left wanting more food prep space and were dealing with much more weight.

[Bumpyroad]

couldn't find out what the roof is made of, probably either TPO or rubber. if rubber I wouldn't want it. no comfy place to sit, other than dinette. how was that and could you watch TV from there. are you sure you can bend over in that shower?
what are you towing it with? can you go up a foot or two?
bumpy