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If you want to venture down the highway in a home-grown Australian fifth wheeler, this Toowoomba-based company could have just the thing you’re looking for... Words and photography by Richard Robertson A few years ago, when the fifth-wheel market was still in its infancy, Venture began importing small Canadian-built units, specifically able to be towed by the average Australian utility. Since then the whole fifth-wheel scene has exploded and it seems every man and his dog now imports gigantic rigs, requiring equally gigantic tow vehicles. Fortunately, Venture has continued to concentrate on small fifth-wheelers, but switched from importing to local manufacture, although still using some imported components. One of the quiet achievers, Venture has a simple, two-vehicle range, which although less imposing than many of the enormous houses-on-wheels, still feature most of the comforts of home, in a practical and manageable package. And while they are particularly suited to the likes of a Holden or Falcon ute, both units are able to be towed by most dual cab utilities, thanks to a clever bit of engineering that extends the tow arm. The subject of this review, however, is the Venture 690, which at 6.9m in length is their flagship. On The Outside Venture has chosen to stick with conventional caravan-style manufacturing techniques, such as a wooden frame and exterior aluminium cladding, although the frame itself is kiln-dried spruce rather than the more usual Meranti pine. In fact, Venture is so confident in the strength and quality of their fifth-wheelers, they provide a three-year national warranty, which can be upgraded to five years, and have established a network of service agents around the country. The 690 sits on a fully closed, powder coated RHS steel chassis and rides on tandem axles, supported by leaf springs. Conventional 185R14 light truck tyres and each wheel is electrically braked. A breakaway switch is also fitted in the unlikely event the whole unit inadvertently detaches from the tow vehicle whilst under way. The use of aluminium cladding and sliding glass windows gives the unit a somewhat old-fashioned appearance, and it certainly lacks the wow-factor of many newer designs. But what it lacks in initial visual impact, it makes up for in the quality. Fit and finish are excellent. Standard equipment includes two 110Ah house batteries, two 9kg gas bottles, mains power and water connectors, a cable-TV connection, an external hot and cold shower plus a 4m roll-out awning and roof mounted air-conditioner. Venture use a miniature semi trailer-style turntable, which can easily be removed from the bed of the tow vehicle, although two small mounting rails remain. The turntable assembly comprises two pieces, which makes installation and removal easier, and because the turntable itself sits more or less at eye level, it makes the process of reversing and hitching-up quite straight forward. And don’t worry about the tray of your utility becoming covered in grease; a simple Teflon-coated spacer sits between the turntable and pin and eliminates all mess. In The Kitchen The kitchen runs between the entry door and dinette, on the kerb side, and is a good size with all the right appliances. Standard fit-out includes a glass-lidded Dometic four-burner gas cooker and grill, rangehood, microwave and a Dometic 150L three-way fridge. Solid timber cabinetry is used throughout, with a light coloured American oak finish that looks good. Unusually (for a locally produced vehicle), the sink is a double-bowl unit without a drainer. Likewise, the single kitchen tap has separate hot and cold controls rather than a the more usual flick-mixer. There’s good bench space, and decent under-bench and overhead cupboards, while having the fridge mounted quite high makes for easy access. At The Dinette Positioned at the rear, the lounge/dining area comprises a forward/aft facing dinette that’s best for two, and a sideways facing lounge-cum-sofa bed. Being right down the back and having windows on both sides, plus across the rear, gives the area a particularly spacious feel, with good visibility when seated and allows you to make the best of a good view. The sofa bed folds out to become secondary sleeping accommodation, and when made up you still have use of the dinette, although access requires some deft maneuvering. Still, it’s useful to have the additional sleeping capacity, but for a couple, the 690’s lounge and dining area should prove comfortable and practical. In The Bedroom Like most fifth-wheelers, the Venture 690 has its bedroom in the raised section that sits over the back of the tow vehicle. It’s a generally good arrangement as is makes the most of floor-level living space, but come bed time it can require a little getting used to. You climb two small steps to reach the queen size bed, complete with innerspring mattress, which runs lengthways. There’s quite reasonable headroom and you can sit up in bed. Small bedside tables are provided, along with reading lights and small windows on both sides. Clothes storage is adequate, but at the aft end of the bathroom. Access to the driver’s side of the bed is restricted a little by the bathroom bulkhead, and if you’ve got extra long legs you’re likely to need to sleep on the kerb side, but other than that the bed is comfortable and the whole area quite spacious. I particularly liked the 600mm x 600mm over bed roof hatch, which is not just for ventilation, but an actual escape hatch in case of emergencies. It’s a great idea and, as I’ve said in previous tests, should be mandatory in all recreational vehicles. Keeping Clean The mid-mounted bathroom is a beauty, comprising a Theford Aqua Magic electric flush toilet, corner vanity, shaving cabinet and a generous, separate shower with concertina door. There are also the usual fittings, including a fan hatch, light and a couple of towel rails. The toilet empties into a black water holding tank, although a cassette model is available should you prefer it. The shower base is interesting too, it looks like a tiny bath but with one half raised to provide a seat. This is ideal for washing your feet, or having a sit-down shower, and is a useful and worthwhile inclusion. Worth Buying? Although the Venture 690 lacks the space-age appearance of some other fifth wheelers, it more than compensates by virtue of its quality construction, thoughtful layout, fit and finish. Ideally suited to a couple who don’t want to sacrifice the comforts of home, but don’t want to tow a house behind them, this fifth-wheeler is well up to the task of the Big Trip, or any other duration of holiday you might set off on. Specifications Contacts
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