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RV review: Ember RV 21MRK world debut

Tony Barthel

Today’s RV review is of the new Ember RV Touring Edition 21MRK. This is a floor plan I am very familiar with in that we considered a very similar floor plan when we were first shopping for RVs. But the things that we didn’t like about that model are absolutely addresses here and then some.

Ember features

Ember RV’s previous offerings have been focused on overlanding with their Overland Micro and Overland series. Funny how the names match the vehicles.

These new offerings are more traditional travel trailers in some ways, but absolutely offer a lot of the features that have made Ember such a unique brand.

For example the hitch on these trailers is still their adjustable hitch allowing you to easily adjust the height of the hitch based on the tow vehicle, which is really smart. These also feature Lippert  solid stance stabilizer jacks which are much more rugged than the typical stabilizer jacks on most every other travel trailer.

In fact these jacks are the only ones I’ve come across that actually are rated to be raised and lowered with a power drill. Read your manual, the typical stabilizer jacks on most travel trailers very specifically tell you not to do this. Plus these jacks are just better made.

There is also a nice front locker available on the Touring Edition models in addition to some significant space in the front pass-through storage compartment. That’s also where you’ll find the Nautilus water hook-up system for these which mimics many fifth wheels and is not something you’ll typically find in a travel trailer.

Another thing I’ve loved about the Ember line has been their Stargazer window. This is a window above the bed at the front that incorporates a shade and a bug screen. You can tilt this window up for air flow or just lie back and look at the stars. Hence the name Stargazer.

This dual-pane window is retained on the Touring Edition models also. This makes so much more sense than a windshield in a travel trailer.

Ember is also utilizing these dual-pane windows throughout the line on all places. These aren’t cheap but they really are good and all the windows incorporate both the blind and the bug screen and can be opened wide for air flow.

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Really unique features

The front bed area of this offering are where some of the real stand-out features start. There is a choice of a model with a fixed queen-sized bed but the hot tip is to get the model with the Murphy bed. Why?

When the Murphy bed is up there is a couch there. On either side of that couch are Lagun tables. So there’s one for each side. Lagun tables allow for a lot of motion and flexibility and are also adjustable for height.

When the bed is down the Lagun tables can be moved to be a side table for the bed. Or they can just be removed easily enough and stowed under the couch. They can be desk-height when you’re a the couch or eating height. I have never seen anything like this and there are two of them.

When the bed is down on Murphy bed models you can fully walk around the bed, even if the slide room is in. This was the deal breaker that made us decide against the version of this that we were originally looking at.

Kitchen

What may sell a lot of people on this floor plan is the kitchen. That kitchen extends almost the full length of the camp side of this RV with a lot of counter space. Likewise there are a bunch of drawers and cabinets as well. If you want a smaller travel trailer with a lot of counter space, this is absolutely one to look at.

Further, Ember uses the larger 22” oven with their three-burner stove.

Lounge space

There is a slide room in this model and in that slide is a three-seat lounge. On either end there are reclining seats and the center seat’s back rest folds down so you can use it to put your beverages. There’s also a power port in the back rest.

Across from this is the 42” 12 volt TV which incorporates the sound bar and even an FM radio. I have this same unit in my own travel trailer and really like it.

Safety

Ember RV products already have what I think should be required safety feature - their lighting. On Ember RVs the upper marker lights flash with the turn signals as do side marker lights, giving a clear indication to other drivers that you’re coming their way.

The Touring Edition has something else that’s game changing. There is an optional Lane Change Assist feature which works similarly to the one on many modern vehicles. It uses radar sensors at the back of the trailer to determine if someone is occupying the lane next to you.

If they are, there are orange marker lights on the front of the trailer that you can see which notify you not to make that lane change. I’ve never seen anything like this on a towable RV and it’s literally one of the best safety features I can think of. Kudos to you, Ember.

Boondocking

All the Touring Edition models feature at least 200 watts of solar on the roof along with a 2000 watt inverter. That may be all many campers need and the trailers themselves are designed to accommodate lithium battery systems right from the get go.

But that’s not required so you can tailor the power system installed in your own version to your own camping needs.

These also feature the Shower Miser system which redirects water back into your fresh water system while you’re waiting for the water to get hot at the shower. I have this in my own travel trailer and we love it. It works very well indeed.

I had mentioned that the inability to really use all the features with the slide room in was the deal breaker on the model I looked at all those many years ago. Well this Ember is absolutely usable with the slide in including the queen-sized bed. In fact, I could see them offering this model with no slide and not having a big disadvantage.

Choices

Ember RV is giving buyers a number of options in these Touring Edition models. Where appropriate, there are choices between dinettes and free-standing table and chair configurations. You can choose between theater seats or trifold couches.

But the niftiest choice of all is whether you want a permanent full queen bed or a Murphy bed on some models. I like that Murphy bed option because it’s still a walk-around queen when it’s down, but you also get a couch and a Lagun table when it’s up. If you like, you can leave the Murphy bed in the down position most, or all of the time.

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What’s missing

Since they don’t need as dramatic a suspension system as the Overland series, the new Touring Edition sports a torsion axle suspension instead of the Curt independent suspension. I’ve had two trailers with this type of suspension and I much prefer it to the leaf springs that most travel trailers have. While I think the Curt set-up is better, I don’t think you’re really missing out with this suspension. It’s a goodie, too.

There are a few things that are not present on these Touring Edition that Ember has on other models.

The first thing that’s not there is their unique front tongue jack. The one on the Overland series does not have the motor up top and, instead, works more like the other stabilizer jacks. I really like these, but the Touring Edition is using a traditional trailer tongue jack. Bummer.

I’ve also seen that Ember is starting to put the Truma Aventa air conditioner in the Overland series, but the Touring Edition is still using the Coleman Mach unit. I would definitely want that Truma unit if I were given the choice.

Conclusions

Ember RV has already shown how it is listening to the customer base and behaving like the smaller, lithe company that it is. For example, there were some complaints initially with the slide rooms. Ember addressed those by completely changing the slide room technology to something you’d more likely find in a motorhome.

These Touring Edition models are also going to address some things that customers have complained about in other travel trailers, specifically ceiling height. I believe these have an interior ceiling height of 6’ 10” which is more than most travel trailers have.

Ember also is using the same laser-cut exoskeleton on these as in the Overland series as well as the build features that have become a hallmark for the brand. Add to that the carpet less slide rooms, dual-pane windows and so many other features and I think it would be absolutely worth seeking out an Ember dealer before plunking down your money on a travel trailer right now.

No guarantees, of course, but these should at least be on your list for towables to consider.

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