Venture Sporttrek??

kfp673 wrote:
Any Venture owners out there?

Would love to hear thoughts.

I'm not a Venture owner but I did have the opportunity to go through one when the line was first introduced with a couple of factory reps who were visiting my local Coachmen dealer, trying to convince him to take on the line (which he later declined). As you say, Venture was set up and owned by K-Z as a separate entity because they wanted to introduce a more entry level trailer compared to the K-Z Spree, which I happened to own at the time. It also would allow them to license dealers (such as my own Coachmen dealer) to carry this line without infringing on agreements with nearby K-Z Spree dealers. I wouldn't compare a Venture to a Jayco Eagle which is a more premium trailer.

Thanks SoundGuy. As we walked through it I did not see it as more entry level than KZ. Having a KZ dealer near me we walked them as well and actually felt quite the opposite. Especially with the "touring edition" of the Venture, it is very similar in appointment to the Jayco and very similar cost as well. I could be totally wrong, but that was my feeling. Problem is I cant seem to find any owners to tell me if it's total junk or built as well as Jayco. Thanks again!

kfp673 wrote:
Thanks SoundGuy. As we walked through it I did not see it as more entry level than KZ.

As I said I don't own one and can only tell you what these Venture reps told us at the time.

I own a 2017 ST271VRB. I've owned a bunch of trailers since starting out in the late 70's. I think the SportTrek is as good as any of the trailers I've owned and I did own a Jayco. Just returned from a 2100 mile trip to Tn. and had zero issues. Pulls easily and is comfortable to stay in. I would buy another one.
Good Luck!!

Negotiating on a 251VFK right now. Not for sure if it will happen but we really like the floorplan, perfect for a couples trailer - at least for us. Like the OP, not many reviews on them out there. From everything I have read, they appear to be about mid-level. If we do buy, I'll post a review after a few months of ownership. Cheers......

I'm parked across from one right now look like a nice unit the owner hasn't had any real issues he says

Hello KF..

My wife and I traded our 2011 Freedom Express for a SportTrek 290vik this spring. At first I thought the quality was better but after a couple of weeks camping I really think it's about the same as most other brands in the price rage. We traded because we fell in love with the floor plan 2 years ago when we first saw it.

What we love:
-The floor plan and storage space. We still have empty cupboards.
-The stance, I like how it sits up higher than the old Coachmen
-The LED lighting (bright, plentiful and efficient)
-The fireplace on cool nights, no need to run furnace
-The theater seating (although according to my wife we don't camp to watch TV!) ;)
-The roof ladder (makes sweeping off slides a breeze)
-Tows nicer than my older camper but I also upgraded to BlueOX SwayPro

The issues:
-5/8" T&G plywood floor. Still has 'flex' despite what factory rep told me. The island visibly moves when people walk by.
-The 'fixed' digital TV antenna stinks, get's 1/2 the channels the old adjustable mast used to pull in.
-Large window valance over dining table fell off during 1st tow. Only 2 screws were holding it to the thin luan wall.
-Kitchen sink drain leaked because cardboard packing material was not removed from where sink drain attached to drain pipe.
-Partitions under kitchen counter (between cabinet and water heater) both fall into cabinet (not mounted or secured).

Here is a pic from our maiden voyage to Schoodic Woods in Maine

Hope this helps!

kfp673 wrote:
Hello All,

Any Venture owners out there? We are looking for a new trailer and a local dealer now carries this brand. I see they are owned by KZ who has Thor as the parent, but they are offering some very unique floor plans for a travel trailer. We went and walked through one of their touring addition floor plans STT343VBH which was a great floor plan for a large trailer. Our concern however is quality. I can t find much on line of owners with experience. We are mostly comparing to Jayco Eagle or even the basic Jayco Jay Flight. Also compared it to the Grandesign Imagine which are super nice but we were not in love with any floor plan. Also, not really sure I felt it was any nicer than the Venture or Jayco.

Also, when I compare websites I am trying to compare their construction sections to see if anything jumps out, but I end up cross eyed trying to figure out the differences. Especially between Venture and Jayco. Only difference I could feel was a bit softer floor feeling in the venture vs Jayco.

So.. Any owners out there like to share feedback? Anyone else have thoughts on this brand? Jayco offers the 2 yr warranty which is definitely nice, but the venture has the floor plan we like and is loaded with features. Would love to hear thoughts. Thanks!

If you get this trailer please keep us posted. This is the model my wife and I planned to get but circumstances got in the way. There didn't seem to be too many people that had much experience with that model even on the venture forums. It's a great floorplan and maybe next year we can move on one. What is your tow vehicle?

Good luck

6door74 wrote:
This is the model my wife and I planned to get but circumstances got in the way. There didn't seem to be too many people that had much experience with that model even on the venture forums. It's a great floorplan and maybe next year we can move on one.

Only 1300 lbs CCC for such a large trailer, some of which will be lost right off the top by adding batteries?!! Account for some water to keep the system functioning and one would be lucky to have 1000 lbs available for everything else. Yikes! :E

SoundGuy wrote:

6door74 wrote:
This is the model my wife and I planned to get but circumstances got in the way. There didn't seem to be too many people that had much experience with that model even on the venture forums. It's a great floorplan and maybe next year we can move on one.

Only 1300 lbs CCC for such a large trailer, some of which will be lost right off the top by adding batteries?!! Account for some water to keep the system functioning and one would be lucky to have 1000 lbs available for everything else. Yikes! :E

Can't we travel without water? That was my plan when the day comes.