RV review: new Ember RV 240TRK toy hauler - best of show
Today’s RV review is of the forthcoming Ember RV Overland Series 240TRK. I got the chance to preview this model at RV Open House which is where the RV industry essentially gathers to show off their latest offerings to dealerships. Essentially the dealers come in and place orders for the year so it’s actually a huge deal to the RV industry.
What I saw at the show was a lot of new, different and exciting offerings. From independent companies to branches of the large corporate RV builders, there was an air of innovation that was palpable. During the pandemic few new and different offerings made the scene. Some products, like the rPod 201 for example, were shown and then never really built.
One of the places I stopped was at Ember Camp which is actually a small campground on the Ember RV property. To my knowledge Ember is the only RV company that actually owns a campground which really sets them apart. Another interesting thing about the company, the decision makers all own Ember products and there are loaner Ember RVs that members of Ember’s team can take out and try out.
One of the new Ember offerings that I saw was the new Ember E-Series - specifically the 22ETS. But what really floated my boat was the new Ember Overland 240TRK. This is Ember’s first toy hauler but, more than that, one of the most innovative RVs I’ve seen. In fact, it’s so different that I have given it our inaugural Best of Show award for being the best new RV I’ve seen at RV Open House. Wow.
What is the Ember Overland 240TRK
Ember RV Overland Series 240TRK toy hauler
What you essentially have here is the marriage of a toy hauler and an Ember RV Overland series 190MSL trailer. But more. Much more. Like the 190MSL this features a reconfigurable back where you can set it up to be bunk beds, a desk, a cargo bay, a dining table, a kitchen counter, a bar or just about anything else. I’ve already written about how much I really like Ember’s “Ember Track” system which offers so much flexibility in use.
But they took that a step further and added a drop-down tailgate so now you can move the bunk platforms and bring in cargo or toys. This door measures 90 inches by 72 inches and can also be set up as a deck. When it is a deck there’s a screened fence around the perimeter as well as solid steps leading up to the platform and even a canopy overhead.
The Ember Track system also carries the dining table and offers the same flexibility of use. You can have a multi-bunk RV or one with dining space or just a big toy hauler. To that end there are cargo tie-downs in the floor that are connected directly to the chassis. Nice.
Revolutionary bed system
Not only are the bunks something different, but so too is the front of this trailer. There are two individual Murphy beds in this RV, both at the front. There is also a hanging wardrobe up there.
You can deploy either or both the Murphy beds so you have two large twin beds separated by a closet. But that closet is on a movable track as are the beds so you can also set this up to be one large King-sized bed by sliding the beds together.
That means this could be the perfect trailer for friends going camping who don’t necessarily want to share the same bed, or for couples who do. Same trailer, different use cases.
Another thing - if one sleeper wants to sleep in the other can fold-up their half of the king-sized bed, or twin bed, and now they have a couch. That couch spans the entire width of the front of this trailer so it’s pretty wide.
There are also Lagun tables so you can use the couch for dining or work. Lagun tables are very flexible (sense a trend here?) in that they can be mounted at different height settings and can move around almost like a Ouija board.
In fact, since this is a toy hauler, this trailer measures 101 inches wide outside - five inches wider than the traditional 96 inches of the rest of the Ember RV line.
I cannot overstate how revolutionary this bed system is and how much flexibility it offers, just as the “Ember Track” system does the same for the back and middle of this trailer.
Who is Ember RV
If you’re new to these reviews then let’s introduce you to Ember RV, a company started by a RV industry veterans including Ashley Bontrager whose grandparents founded Jayco. Bontrager partnered with a few others to found the company and create something different and they certainly have.
We did a podcast interview with Ashley Bontrager and Christopher Barth - hear it here.
Ember’s products cater to the adventurous who might take their RVs far off the beaten path. Starting at the bottom these single-axle offerings all feature a really advanced Curt independent coil spring suspension with dual shock absorbers. Wheels are Goodyear truck tires on 16” tires.
There’s also an innovative wheel chock built right into the system that can be locked making it more difficult to steal these trailers.
Further, all the trailers thus far have included a Stargazer window above the bed. This is so, so much better than a windshield because it’s above the bed with a built-in shade but also a screen as you can open the window for air flow. I really like this. And it’s a double-glazed Lexan window so less likely to shatter than glass.
That window is mounted to a roof that’s made of the same laminated panels as are used in the walls. They feature Azdel substrates on the inside and out and a fiberglass outer layer so that means no rubber on the roof.
All the joints between wall seams on the outside are covered in an Eternabond tape which is the stickiest permanent thing I’ve ever messed with (I’m rebuilding a vintage trailer and using this stuff) and then a section of the aluminum exoskeleton is placed on top of that.
Recently the company used Truma’s climate chamber to certify that Ember RVs are able to withstand use between 0°-100°F. So they’re ready to camp in the cold, ready to camp in the heat. While some RVs claim to be capable of this, Ember has certified that theirs can through actual testing.
The company says these are “generational” trailers meaning they’re meant to last for a very long time and, seeing how they’re made, I don’t doubt that at all.
Another keynote build feature is the flooring, which is the same Transcore structural composite flooring as used in an Airstream but with a key difference - it’s twice as thick on an Ember.
Boondocking and travel access
This is a tough one only in that this trailer offers no slide so travel access is excellent. But, as a toy hauler, if you load it with things like kayaks you might block access to some spaces like the bathroom or fridge. Still, let’s stick with the fact that you can fully access all functions of this trailer at all times.
As for boondocking Ember features things like the Shower Miser water management system which lets you recirculate the water at the shower faucet while you’re waiting for it to get warm. This is better than just letting it go down the drain.
As for solar the 2024 Overland Series models now come standard with dual 200 watt solar panels, providing a total of 400 watts of solar power and a 2000 watt inverter. Ember has also upgraded the converter size from 35 Amp to 55 Amp. This provides you with more power for charging your RV’s batteries efficiently.
There is also an optional Max Solar Package which features an additional with 800 watts of solar. Additionally, the package now includes the Cerbo GX heads-up solar control/info tablet mounted to an interior wall for easy control and visibility, a cold-weather battery disconnect, and a REDARC DC to DC charger for comprehensive solar power management.
Final thoughts
When the Overland series first came out some people were surprised that there wasn’t an oven, just a two-burner propane cook top and a microwave. The original intent was that that microwave be a convection unit with air fryer function, but supply constraints put a hold on that. Those are now available and included.
Another thing Ember did is provide all the controls along a vertical metal channel in this rig. This gives you the opportunity to upgrade or service these systems. Upgrading most RVs means finding a place to run wire or access hidden pieces but this channel eliminates that headache. It is a prime example of Ember’s decision makers being actual RVers instead of desk jockeys.
Honestly there are so many example of Ember thinking differently and doing things that, in my opinion, will enhance the owner’s experience that it inspired me to create the “Best of Show” award and then bestow it on this RV.
Considering how flexible this design is and how many different and usable features are part of the design there was nothing else I saw that even came close to what Ember has done here. Well, except for maybe Ember’s own 190MSL.
Swing. Hit. And it’s outta the park.
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