Honest RV review of the 2024 Ember RV E-Series 22ETS multi-purpose trailer
Today’s RV review is of the new Ember E-Series 22ETS travel trailer. Ember has established itself as a manufacturer of premium travel trailers with top-quality components and some really unique design aspects. But that comes at a price and Ember RVs aren’t inexpensive. Nothing good is ever cheap.
However the RV market has changed, somewhat, and there is a trend toward some customers demanding more affordable rigs. As such, Ember has come out with their E-Series which stands for the E-ssentials. Everything you need, nothing you don’t, to paraphrase an old Nissan advert.
I had the privilege of talking with Ember co-founder Ashley Bontrager (hear our podcast interview with Ashley and Christopher Barth here) about the E-Series and she described these as more camping essentials.
I have described this elsewhere as “decontenting” but this isn’t that. Instead, this is a whole different series specifically designed to be more affordable. But I would argue that it’s still not low-end, just not super premium.
What is the Ember E-Series
There are a variety of ways that Ember has created the E-Series so that it’s more affordable than some of their other lines. For example, the custom metal edging along the perimeter of the RV isn’t there.
There’s no Stargazer window, unfortunately. I really like that feature but it’s not an inexpensive one.
Wall construction still uses Azdel as the substrate of the exterior wall, but the interior wall substrate is a wood product. Also, you’ll find the fancy metal locker on the tongue for the batteries and propane gone as well.
Honestly much of what it takes to create the E-Series is no different than some other RVs and there are some really thoughtful touches in this trailer that I haven’t seen before.
Things I really liked
I have mentioned before that the decision makers at Ember, whom I know professionally at this point, are unusual in that they actually use Ember RVs and take them camping. Like, for real, dude. That makes a big difference in how these are designed.
One of the things I noticed in this is that there is a little grab handle on the inside of the entry door. There’s another one just outside the shower. This trailer might not be at the top of the price range but it’s not cheap either.
And there is an amber light by the footwell of the door and one on either side of the bed. There are studies out there that show that lighting that sways more toward blue may disrupt our sleep patterns and lights more toward amber don’t. So, kudos on this.
E-Track is back
But what has become a signature feature in other Ember RVs has found its way into this E-Series trailer as well - what Ember calls EmberTrak.
What this is is a completely reconfigurable section of this RV that allows you to essentially make it what you want. The trailer comes with two platforms that can be placed on a standard vertical track system such that these platforms, with the included Teddy Bear mattresses, will make a double-over-double bunk system.
But since you can move the platforms up and down, or even take them out, you could also make a desk. Or additional prep space for the kitchen. You can take the platforms out altogether and use this as cargo space.
Or put the platforms at their highest position, still have them with you, and still use this as cargo space.
There’s the bonus that there’s a large swing-up hatch to the outside which could be left open for air flow (when you’re camping!) and there’s a second, smaller door at the rear of the trailer as well.
These doors would enable you to load cargo or whatever. You could also put a barrier of some sort across the opening to this space and now you have a spot where Fido has his own space. It’s remarkably flexible and unique in the industry.
Another thing I really like about this arrangement is that it finally makes a bunk model make sense. If you buy this trailer thinking your grandchildren are coming with you and realize they have zero interest in doing so, at least you can reconfigure this space so that you can keep using the trailer instead of having to sell it and get something that actually fits your travel style.
But if they do come with you you have double-over-double bunks or you can also reconfigure them to be single-over-single bunks.
More to like
Some of the things I also saw in this RV were that they’re still using Goodyear Endurance tires. In typical Ember fashion, the side marker lights and specific overhead clearance lights blink with the turn signals which would make lane changes safer.
There is also a provision for both side- and rear-mounted observation cameras and you can order a tire pressure monitoring system as an option. Do this. It’s $213 that can save your life.
I also like the two-burner linear stove but not everybody does. There is now a convection air fryer microwave that comes with these as was intended from the start. Gotta love the supply chain.
Boondocking and travel access
I wasn’t able to bring the slide in when I was in this unit at Open House; however, I suspect that it may block access to the back of the trailer. But this is just a guess, quite honestly.
One of the questions I get about my own RV’s battery and solar system is “how long can you run the AC on batteries?” This RV features a new AC unit from Furrion called the Furrion Chill Cube which is one of the biggest advances in RV air conditioning. I have that whole story about it but it’s remarkably efficient, powerful and quiet.
So, it can operate on battery power for much longer than that clackety antique most of us have on the roofs of our RVs.
Something I appreciate - this RV comes with no solar but is prepped for solar. However there are basic and more advanced solar options so you can tailor it to what you need. I love being able to boondock and do so frequently but I also know a lot of folks just leave their RVs in parks seasonally and I’m not sure that solar is a good choice for them. So, options.
Conclusions
I think this is another product from Ember that really serves the audience well. I liked what I saw when I was in Indiana looking at a prototype of this.
One thing, though, some folks have told cautionary tales of the BAL cable slide mechanism that is built into this trailer. When I was selling RVs we had zero issues with them but they do need to be adjusted every few years as the cables stretch.
Overall, again, Ember’s attention to detail is still showing up even in these more affordable units. While I like the Touring Edition and Overland Series more, they are also significantly more money for good reason. If you’re looking for something more affordable, it may be worth seeking out these E-Series from Ember RV.
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