A Recent History of
Shadow Cruiser, Cruiser RV, and Cikira RV
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Message #6317
Here's a recent history of Shadow Cruiser, Cruiser RV, and Cikira RV (to the best of my knowledge):
My parents had a mid-80's Shadow Cruiser 7' wide 5th wheel, so I know the original company goes back that far.
Shadow Cruiser hit hard times twice. The second and final time in 1998, they ended up in bankruptcy. The 1999 model year was the last year models were produced by the original Shadow Cruiser company.
It's my assumption the introduction of the Phantom line in the 1996 model year followed by the Stealth line in the 1998 model year overextended Shadow Cruiser and that was their downfall.
Sunnybrook RV purchased the Shadow Cruiser assets in a bank sale, including the Shadow Cruiser name.
Cruiser RV was formed in April, 1999, by the Pat Makusky, Sr family and Louis Dickerhoof. They purchased the Shadow Cruiser name, manufacturing equipment, and a factory lease from Sunnybrook. For the 2000 and 2001 model years, they only offered the original 5th wheel line, which was a continuation of the 7' wide models that Shadow Cruiser had been producing for a long time and the 8' wide models that went into production in the 1995 model year.
The Fun Finder line was introduced in the summer of 2001 for the 2002 model year using floorplans from the original Shadow Cruiser 139 and 160, which were called the Silhouette models in the late '90s.
In 2003, Cruiser RV received a cash infusion from and became a subsidiary of Doubletree RV, which is why you see the name Doubletree RV on 2004 Fun Finder models. Doubletree RV was founded in 2002 as a subsidiary of Sunnybrook Manufacturing, of which Sunnybrook RV is a subsidiary. David Fought was heading up Doubletree RV and was one of the co-founders of Sunnybrook RV in 1992.
In 2004, Cruiser RV moved manufacturing from
It is interesting to me that David Fought was the co-founder of Sunnybrook RV, which purchased the assets of the original Shadow Cruiser company, and now David owns Cruiser RV.
In March, 2005, former management and workers who had left Cruiser RV helped form Cikira RV and began producing their Classic Cruiser line for the 2006 model year. The Classic Cruiser 13CC and 18CC are nearly identical to the Fun Finder T-139 and T-189 models. The upcoming 16CC will be very much like the Fun Finder T-160.
So, that's my working knowledge of the recent history of Shadow Cruiser, Cruiser RV, and Cikira RV. If anyone knows more info or can correct any of my info or dates, please chime in.
Message #6320
One of the first things David and Jeff Fought did after becoming owners of Cruiser RV was to focus on a new audience for the Fun Finders. That's how the Red Xtreme models came to be offered for the 2006 model year. Another thing they did was to standardize production practices and change some of the equipment, features, and options available. At last word, I know they are still working on a 5th wheel line. Beyond that, it's just speculation on my part on what their future plans are (I keep sending in my floorplan ideas!). The good news is they are sound financially and continue to increase production and sales of units.
I should have mentioned that the recent history I described primarily focused on travel trailers, with a sprinkling of 5th wheels. Shadow Cruiser also produced a very popular line of truck campers, including the soft-top (canvas pop-top) truck campers. The production of the truck campers continued through the changeover between Shadow Cruiser and Cruiser RV in 1999. Currently, the soft-top truck camper production has been suspended.
While I mentioned that "DoubleTree RV" appears on 2004 Fun Finder models, my 2002 model has "Shadow Cruiser by Cruiser RV". It does get confusing keeping up with the metamorphous that has occurred.