Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Ember RV Touring Edition 20FB. This is a prime example of something I suggest as you’re out there shopping for your next RV—check out what different manufacturers have to offer before plunking down your hardly-earned cash.
Typically, if there’s a floor plan that’s selling well or really makes sense, other companies are going to use their cloning technology to make a version of it within the company’s style and guidelines.
When I saw this, I realized this is the same floor plan as my own trailer. It’s interesting to see how differently Ember does some things.
Ember RV Touring Edition
I’ve had a good relationship with the people at Ember for a while now, such that I can call and ask questions or even get them when texting. I’ve also been to the plant several times and seen how they do things, and they do do some things very differently.
Ember now has three main series of RVs: the Overland, the Touring Edition and the E-Series or Essential. The Touring Edition is sort of the mainstream model in the Ember line and it is a more traditional travel trailer offering compared to the Overland, which is more focused on off-road and boondocking.
But Ember does things very differently in many ways. For example, the floors in these trailers are a laminated product that utilizes Azdel in the build. I’m not talking about the vinyl flooring you actually see, I’m talking about what goes underneath that.
First things first: How’s it built?
And that’s something I continually harp on. Before you go inside and look at the pretty cabinets and the lovely flooring, look at how these things are built. Check out the chassis, the suspension, and the tires. Are there safety features or designed-in components that aren’t the cheapest thing out there?
For example, these Touring Edition trailers have a feature where they flash the side and upper marker lights with the turn signals. I think that’s enough of a safety feature that I believe all trailers of all sizes should have. But they don’t. This does.
These also have a sensor at the back that senses vehicles on the side. When you’re driving down the road the sensor will detect someone alongside your trailer and turn on an indicator light at the front of the trailer. I know of no other RV company that’s doing this—but think it’s a huge safety feature.
This features a torsion axle suspension and rides on 16” Goodyear Endurance load range “D” tires. Further, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is standard. That’s how it should be.
Another nice thing is that the windows in these are dual-pane polycarbonate windows that can flip up nice and wide for airflow. They also offer built-in shades and screens.
There are a lot of things in this trailer that are absolutely class-leading. But that’s what you expect in a company where the decision-makers all actually go camping. In fact, there are Ember products available for anyone on the team to take out camping. Compare that to companies where they are specifically prohibited from having loaner models for their team, which I think is just stupid.
What’s inside the Ember RV Touring Edition 20FB
What you get inside this trailer is a queen bed at the front, a smaller slide with a couch that offers theater seating functionality and a corner bathroom at the back. This is the exact same layout as I have in my own trailer.
What Ember has done is make the cabinet space at the front of the kitchen even more useful than in my own trailer with a spot above the TV for storage and then a TV that swings out. If you’d like, there’s a hanging bar in there where you can hang clothing if you want, or use this as larger storage.
I like this.
There are drawers below that, and then more drawers under the kitchen counter.
Of course, this features a 21”, oven so you can actually use it for real food along with a three-burner cooktop. This also features a convection microwave—so you could go nuts with the cooking.
One of the niftier things: there are overhead cabinets above the bed and couch and these actually stay up. Mine flop down, so I rehung them so the doors drop down.
Bedroom in the Ember RV Touring Edition 20FB
While there isn’t really a bedroom, per se, in this trailer, there is a queen-sized bed at the front of the trailer. That bed is flanked by a hanging closet on either side along with drawers. Behind these is a space for your noisy toys or CPAP machine and there are even both USB and household outlets back there. There’s also an amber night light.
What I really like is the overhead Stargazer window which can be opened above the bed. This features a shade that can be drawn that has thermal foil on the back. There’s also a bug screen.
Living it up
The main living space in this is something I really like in my own trailer. There’s a single slide room where there is what looks like a simple three-butt couch, but it’s more than that.
This couch’s center backrest folds down to reveal an armrest as well as cup holders. There’s also a pop-up power wing that incorporates household and USB outlets.
Further, the footrests at the base of the couch flip up. So now you have what amounts to a theater seat of sorts. Pretty neat.
There are also tables that slot into the cup holders on the armrests of this couch, which is the only table you have. Well, almost.
In the pass-through, there’s a rack to hold a folding plastic table, if you’d prefer using that. I like this solution, although you could also use that table outside.
Four seasons
Something else that’s unique about Ember products is their partnership with Truma.
If you’re a Truma customer you can take advantage of their climate chamber. This chamber allows you to bring in an entire RV and then test how well it functions in temperatures from 0° F – 110° F. I’m sure there’s a Celsius translation to that but, well, ‘Merica, baby.
Anyhow, there are a lot of RVs that have all sorts of goofy badging about winter or seasons or whatever. Ember specifically has actually tested their RVs to these temperature ratings.
Interestingly, this trailer is available with the Truma AquaGo instant water heater, but comes standard with the traditional six-gallon propane-electric water heater. You have to make a decision on this for yourself. I think Truma is the only company whose tankless water heater I would consider, but I have no issue with the standard propane-electric water heater either.
Boondocking and travel access
The slide room in this trailer doesn’t block the bed or kitchen enough to hinder access to it. So, this is fully transit-accessible—and that’s a good thing.
Ember offers an optional solar package that features 400 watts of solar panels along with a 2,000-watt inverter that powers all the outlets.
This also features the ShowerMiser water-saving system, where the water is redirected into the system at the shower while you’re waiting for it to get hot.
Considerations
Typically this is called “What I would change”, but I’m not so sure I would change these things. They’re just thinker-abouters.
First of all, this has a radius shower with a glass shower door. Those are super common, but this brings up the fact that I don’t like them. I don’t like big pieces of glass in an RV (other than windows) and would prefer a shower curtain. In fact, that’s what I did in my own trailer, which had the same shower setup.
This also has a cable slide and these have proven to be pretty reliable. However, there are those who are saying these aren’t so great. I don’t know—no complaints from anyone I know except some whiners on YouTube. There are lots of those.
What I would change, though, is that I would like a curtain across the bed area. My wife and I are on very, very different sleep schedules. I get up early to write reviews for you while she’s still dreaming. So, I draw the curtain in our own camper but, well, there isn’t one here. Bummer.
Starlink
In my own trailer, I’ve drilled holes in the pass-through door and up into the bedroom to accommodate my Starlink, so I can bring you-all RV reviews from the road. Well, Ember was thinking and provides accommodation for a cable from the outside to the inside. This could be a Starlink cable now—or who knows what’s next.
The point is, it’s an easy thing to pull the cable through the wet bay and into the trailer, and you don’t have to modify the trailer or the Starlink cable or any of that. This is what happens when real RVers actually use the product.
Conclusions
If it sounds like I’m really enthusiastic about the way Ember’s decision-makers are making decisions, then I’ve come across honestly. I do like the way they do things and I think these Touring Edition models are a very good option.
Of course, there’s no such thing as the perfect RV. But some are clearly so much better executed than others, and they truly stand out. That’s the Ember Touring Edition.
My thanks to Josh at Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this article
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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How’s the plumbing Tony? You know what an issue that is in the RV industry. I’d be really interested to know if Ember plumbs these better than the rest of the industry. Thanks.
Good question. Water damaged floors seems to be growing. Tony brought up that they incorporate Adzel in the flooring. The Adzel manufacturer describes it as a sidewall component with insulating qualities. How does the floor stand up to flooding?
Good question Ray.
Good review, Tony. I really like the stuff they’ve included in this trailer. Stuff that we’ve added over the years on our 2012 TT. Ours is 30′ so downsizing to this would be um, troublesome. We’re queen-size bed fans, especially since they allow more room on the sides to get out of bed. We went to their website to find they installed a 12v fridge. Looks like the drain pipe is high enough to allow boondocking in most cases too. I guess my only complaint is that I like more windows. Hopefully, the stargazer window (which I also like) proves to be watertight.
I see the pantry next to the fridge has no door. What canned and/or boxed dry goods are going to stay put on open shelving? At least when you stop for a picnic lunch you can just reach inside the door and pick something from the floor. 😉 This is a trend I’m seeing more and more, starting last year with cost cutting, that manufacturers are too cheap to put doors on storage.
Also, Tony, we’ll agree to disagree on those big skylights. Just another potential leak point on a roof, condensation dripper, and thermal weak point.
Good review of a generally nice trailer though. 🙂
I try to block every bit of light in my bedroom, so I agree, no thanks to the skylight there.
Ember has an issue with roof leaks. Insist on having your potential Ember doused with water and subsequent leaks sealed and then retested before towing it off the lot. Have the water system tested with full tank. Ours had multiple leaky connections. Check the entry door, does it latch and unlatch easily?
My “hardly” earned money.?? Pretty sure I worked worked hard for whatever money I earned…🤔
Hi, Bill. I think Tony was being his usual facetious self.🙄😅 Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane
Hmmm..ok. 😆
I try to be funny with how I string words together with the understanding that a lot of people have worked very, very hard for what they have. The phrase comes from years ago when someone was working for me and saw me at the computer writing something and said something like “boy you hardly have to work for your money.” Yeah, well, that stuck.
I put in a lot of hours and try to be funny too. Sometimes too many hours translates into unfunny stuff.
Once Diane pointed it out to me, I caught on to the humor. And FYI, I didn’t take any offense whatsoever to the statement. And I really love your reviews and column too!
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Well, you certainly craft a persuasive argument. 🙂 I’ll let Dan decide if he can find an affordable used one, or negotiate a price he can afford, or just pass on this with regrets. Meanwhile, thanks and safe travels! 🙂
I’m looking at this and the Outdoors RV 24RKS and wanted to ask if you know if they are good for full time RVers. I have been FT in my 21 foot Forest River TT and its been good but not great mostly because I outgrew it. Thanks
I have an ember 24msl touring side marker lights do not work with turn signal called ember they said they do not do that. Where did you get that information from?