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

[midnite_coffee]

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?

[RCWannabe]

A little late in updating, but we decided to keep the trailer, the hitch issue was quickly resolved at the dealer and setup correctly this time. Trailer pulls better, feels like it should and does not make all the noise it did the first time. Hitch was setup with way too much load on the WD bars and it was binding as a result, also the trailer did not move properly with the tow vehicle, no up and down movement was possible. Now we wait for March to start our 6 month tour of southern US across to West coast and back north to BC and then across home to Ontario!!

[RCWannabe]

So I heard from the Dealer and it seems the undercarriage was upgraded by the previous owner on the East Coast at their own expense of $4500.00 and then hauled back to Ontario, presumably it is still on the same tires which look like new (as they should). Cruiser then reimbursed the owner $1300.00, which may have been arranged at the time of the upgrade. The upgrade was done due to the poor towing and tire wear issues. From the forum threads I have seen, the heavier axles seem to be the fix for the Shadow Cruiser trailers, so if I stay with this trailer I hope it is the fix. Dealer also said we can pick something else off the lot if we prefer, so they are working with us which is great.

Now I have discovered the Husky Centerline hitch was not manufactured very well, the angle adjustment 'lock' plate does not line up with the mate welded to the hitch, so I only have half of it clamped. Will have to swap it out for a new one, hopefully that is something the dealer can do without delay.

RCWannabe wrote:
I have another concern if anyone can help. My 2013 Shadow Cruiser that I just purchased and has had the axles replaced with what is believed to be 5000# axles and springs, which are spaced farther apart. I think the front axle moving forward would reduce the tongue weight thus affecting the towability. I have towed it once and it has a chucking problem. Additionally, it appears to have brand new tires on it and the axles were apparently replaced in New Brunswick and the trailer was traded in Ontario, so if new tires were needed already, then I would say something is wrong. Am I wrong in my assumptions?

[1stvee]

If anyone thinks they have running gear problems, don't take any chances. Take it to a reliable frame and axel service shop and have them check it out. The $100 or 2 they charge will be well spent. I just spent 2 days on the side of the road plus the next week and a total of $2000 getting an axel assy replaced while 1000 mile from home. With all said and done. I feel lucky. I was able to put out the fire and did not have a serious wreck.

[RCWannabe]

I have another concern if anyone can help. My 2013 Shadow Cruiser that I just purchased and has had the axles replaced with what is believed to be 5000# axles and springs, which are spaced farther apart. I think the front axle moving forward would reduce the tongue weight thus affecting the towability. I have towed it once and it has a chucking problem. Additionally, it appears to have brand new tires on it and the axles were apparently replaced in New Brunswick and the trailer was traded in Ontario, so if new tires were needed already, then I would say something is wrong. Am I wrong in my assumptions?

[RCWannabe]

luckyscroller788 wrote:
Wow, all of that sounds fishy for sure, and yes, by all means you should be concerned!I assume you purchased through a dealer, where abouts?? And an inch clearance is not nearly enough!

The 1" clearance at the flares is a real concern and they just want to cut the flares. Not going to post the name of the dealer while we are working it out. If they screw me I will for sure. The other concern is they won't request permission to give me the contact information of the previous owner, but claim they have asked them for information. If they were truely confident it was fine, they would put me in touch with the previous owner, unwillingness to do so only shows they are concerned.

[luckyscroller78]

Wow, all of that sounds fishy for sure, and yes, by all means you should be concerned!I assume you purchased through a dealer, where abouts?? And an inch clearance is not nearly enough!

RCWannabe wrote:
Hi everyone, I am new to forum and brand new to my TT. I just purchased a 2013 Shadow Cruiser 28QBS and unfortunately did not find this forum first...Anyway, I have not even picked up the trailer and already have an issue with the axles. They have been replaced with other Tippert axles that use 15" rims and have too large of a tire (225) and the tires do not line up properly with the wheelwells nor is there adequate clearance. Anyone else have the axles replaced with the heavier ones and have a problem that the axles are spread farther apart? Front axles is about 3" forward and rear is about 3" back. Only 1" clearance on the front tire and well flare, maybe 1.25" of rear. Tire hits the flare around the well when you hit bumps. Dealer is telling me it is fine, nothing to worry about and that the tonge weight is uneffected by the move, infact it has made the tongue heavier than spec. which is 520# and he measured at 550#. The new axles say capacity is N/A, which scares me.

[RCWannabe]

Hi everyone, I am new to forum and brand new to my TT. I just purchased a 2013 Shadow Cruiser 28QBS and unfortunately did not find this forum first...Anyway, I have not even picked up the trailer and already have an issue with the axles. They have been replaced with other Lippert axles that use 15" rims and have too large of a tire (225) and the tires do not line up properly with the wheelwells nor is there adequate clearance. Anyone else have the axles replaced with the heavier ones and have a problem that the axles are spread farther apart? Front axles is about 3" forward and rear is about 3" back. Only 1" clearance on the front tire and well flare, maybe 1.25" of rear. Tire hits the flare around the well when you hit bumps. Dealer is telling me it is fine, nothing to worry about and that the tonge weight is uneffected by the move, infact it has made the tongue heavier than spec. which is 520# and he measured at 550#. The new axles say capacity is N/A, which scares me.

[Onionhead1]

I have a 2012 28' Shadow Cruiser, and have noticed that all 4 tires are wearing out on the inside. What are the axle issues to which you are referring? I may be experiencing the same problem, and would appreciate any insight you can provide--especially if there is any assistance available from the manufacturer. Thanks.

[jman4576]

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.

[michigansandzil]

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.

[Clonefan]

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.

[Crawfordville]

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]

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.

[CarolinaHokie]

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.