Maintenance & Restoration

Rocker · 04-16-2012, 08:04 PM

Just bought this Barn Fresh 1975 Ventura that has sat in a garage since 1982. The original owners said they only used it 4 times during its life. It came with the original warranty papers, owners/service manuals. Fridge, Stove, Furnace and electric brakes work great!
Can anyone tell me if these things were supposed to have batteries? I noticed the fridge is 3 way with a 12 volt setting. I checked this thing inside and out and the only thing I can figure out is that they didn't come with batteries and that the 12 volt setting is for when the trailer is plugged into your vehicle. Can anyone confirm this? All of the manuals i have dont speak to my question.

Thank you

Glenn

melissab · 04-16-2012, 08:12 PM

Wow, awesome find!! Was it advertised for sale or was it word of mouth? Any interior pix?

John_M · 04-16-2012, 08:30 PM

Nice find Glenn!

Rocker · 04-16-2012, 08:32 PM

It was advertised on a local classifieds site and I picked it up for 1400.00. It is totally original inside with all the flooring curtains etc, right out of the 70's! I was thinking of updating it but it's all original so I will use it as is. I am going to post a bunch of pics of the interior soon.
Glenn

Donna D. · 04-16-2012, 08:41 PM

Too cool for you Glenn!!

It pays to be in the know about the different brands of molded trailers. You SCORED

Hazel in Sk · 04-16-2012, 09:14 PM

That a good buy! Congratulations. I'm looking forward to seeing more photos. We have a Ventura about the same age and really enjoy it. We carry a battery on the frame along with the propane canister. I'd need to check with hubby for the type of battery but will if you need more info.

Where in Sk are you?

Robin G · 04-16-2012, 09:14 PM

Sorry I can't answer your question about the battery. But just wanted to say, I to would love to see some intereior pix's!

And yeah, you sooooooo scored! Good Job!

Carol H · 04-16-2012, 09:15 PM

Now thats a find!!! Well done.

Dudley · 04-16-2012, 09:46 PM

I just answered the brake question but thought I would answer the battery one here. Mine had a battery under the front seat by the door but I think it was done but the previous owner. I am moving mine out to the front frame and will tie in the wiring under the front seat by the stove. don't like having a battery inside unless its vented. Plus there is not much room under those seats! BTW I am using a small garden tractor battery as I do not use the 12v on the fridge. All my lights have been switched to LED so the draw is just about nothing.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/150723727451?...84.m1438.l2649

Will be mounting 2 20watt solar panels to help out.

You got a hell of a deal. Mine was a barn YARD find and not in that kind of condition. I gutted it last fall and just finishing the interior no that the snow is stopped (I hope)

Dudley · 04-16-2012, 09:51 PM

Also if its in good shape can you take a picture of the Ventura logo so we can post it in the document center. Also a scan of some of the other papers would be kind of neat like the warranty! I had some logos done but cleaner artwork would be great!

Denece · 04-16-2012, 09:59 PM

Wow! What a deal! We got a dandy Compct II earlier this year. No battery. We put a gel under the forward bench in a box. Gels don't gas so no need for vent. We didn't want to put extra wait on the tongue.
We opted to keep a lot of the 70's ambiance also. Have fun, that's the most important thing! Right?

melissab · 04-17-2012, 06:02 AM

Did any of the papers show the original MSRP? Would love to know what they cost in 1975. Too cool!! Looking forward to more pix for sure!

Thomas G. · 04-17-2012, 06:19 AM

Great find. My UHaul was also stored inside it's whole non-rental life and was all original. My initial urge was to keep it completely original, like you would do with a classic car. I've drifted in the direction of making quality modifications that will allow me to enjoy it more. Older trailers, it seems, are more like an older house than a classic car. We'd much rather have a new, efficient furnace than an original creaky one, even if it is not original. Ditto with fans, windows, etc.