Today’s RV review is of the new Ember RV E-Series Spark 18RBE travel trailer. I know what’s going to happen here. There are going to be a good number of readers here who poo poo this trailer without learning more. Let’s get into why that is.
But first, there’s a little reward for anyone who keeps reading, as there is a big surprise in this little trailer.
What you won’t like
Having written this RV review column for several years now, we’ve communicated enough that I bet I can use my internal ESP to know how the comments are going to go. Does that make me A.I.? Hmmm.
But the first thing is going to be a single axle. Lots and lots of people have told me they don’t like single-axle trailers. That’s unfortunate—I dragged a single-axle trailer all over the Western U.S. for six years without a single issue, and I have zero qualms about single-axle trailers.
Know that this employs Goodyear Endurance tires and is prepped for a tire pressure monitor system, although I do wish it came with one.
But this is the E-Series Spark, Ember’s most affordable line of trailers, with E-Series being the essentials. In other words, nothing extravagant, but equipped with the things many RVers want.
Another thing you won’t like is the east-west bed, although this one has a true queen bed, so there’s that.
Lastly, there is one thing I will totally agree with you all on in the negative side of the equation, and that’s the lack of camp-side windows. Yeah, I’ll give you that one for sure.
What I like in the Ember RV E-Series Spark 18RBE
Have we lost a bunch of readers? Oh, it’s just you and me here. Let’s talk because I have to admit I really like this trailer.
At the road, I had mentioned the Goodyear Endurance tires, but this also uses Lippert’s Quick-Drop stabilizers, which are my current favorite.
Moving up, this uses a BAL Exact-Slide® system, which has the benefit of being the only slide system that is certified for being usable even when the slide is in on a travel trailer. You motorhome folk have a different world, but we travel trailer folk know that you usually shouldn’t occupy a slide when it’s in. That’s not true here.
I also like that this is configured for a wireless side/rear observation camera installation. Yes, get them.
The E-Series Spark is built with a wall lamination that uses Azdel on the exterior and luan on the interior of the wall lamination. Ember also builds the corners of these using EternaBond tape, which is much better than the putty that’s common in the industry.
I also like that Ember features true PEX plumbing and features a shut-off valve at each fixture. Lousy plumbing is so common in the RV space, and I love seeing this, especially in a budget-priced trailer.
Up on the roof is the fantastic Furrion Chill Cube air conditioner. This, to me, is the best air conditioner in the RV space right now, with nobody even coming close. Nope, not even them.
Inside the Ember RV E-Series Spark 18RBE
The interior of this trailer belies the smaller size, but part of that is due to the higher ceiling height at 6’10”—four inches more than is typical.
Yeah, yeah, there’s an east-west bed. But that could be good if you and your significant other see the crawling over one another as a precursor to things that might require you to buy a bunkhouse trailer down the road. But this could also be a great solo traveler rig, too.
There is decent space around the bed for storage, including a larger cubby under the bed that’s the ideal spot for totes.
The kitchen features a decent-size 10.7-cubic-foot 12-volt fridge. There’s a small counter with a two-burner in-line propane stove—pretty typical of what you’ll find in an Ember RV.
There’s also a convection microwave and more storage, including a couple of drawers. There’s also a sort of coffee station at the back of the main living space. And more storage.
In the slide is either a jackknife sofa or theater seats, with the theater seats having little tables that drop into the cup holders.
Surprisingly, the bathroom is decently spacious with a ceramic foot-flush toilet. There’s even a high-performance vent fan in here.
The big surprise
If you scrolled directly here, cheater cheater pants on fire. Or something like that.
But what you’ll find in this smaller trailer is something typically only in larger fifth wheels— washer-dryer prep. Yep, in the rear cargo hold is plumbing and wiring for a combo washer-dryer.
But if you choose not to use this space for that, you get a cargo bay with access both outside and in. Above that is another space that’s accessible both inside the main living space and also inside the bathroom.
This nifty spot has two flip-up shelves so you could use it for hanging storage or for stuff. Or optimize the space based on the trip you’re going on.
My thoughts on the Ember RV E-Series Spark 18RBE
There is so much to like about this trailer, especially for those who want something smaller but not with a cheap feel.
I think Ember has nailed their idea of E-Series—all the essentials without any of the extra stuff you don’t necessarily want to pay for. Oh, and speaking of paying for this, the MSRP hasn’t been announced yet.
So, now that you’ve seen how differently this trailer is configured and how flexible the design is, have you had a change of heart?
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the video and photos in this article.
MORE EMBER RV REVIEWS:
- Ember RV E-Series SPARK 19ETS—fabulously flexible
- Ember RV E-Series SPARK 18FBE—a big deal in a small trailer
- 2025 Ember RV Touring Edition 28MSL—problem solver
- Ember RV Overland 221MSL—Significant boondocking updates
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. 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 lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars.
You can also check out Tony and Peggy’s RV podcast.
RVT1214
Ember seems to be producing a quality trailer, and the price tag reflects it. I hope they don’t eventually “cave” and go the cheap route to get volume sales.
This is Ember’s least expensive series thus far and they still seem to have the core quality features for the most part.
Hey, So you’d have to do the laundry from outside? Windows are expensive. Kind of cave like I’d imagine. No side window in the slide. And what about the cable slide? What’s your take on that?
Cheers!
Speaking of small trailers with dual axles… my observation is in many cases all the extra weight over my single (and fully capable) axle is the weight of the extra axle. And other than less ‘drift’ when backing up a dual axle trailer, I don’t seem to gain anything from that additional axle. The cargo capacity isn’t all that much different. And tires tend to wear faster on dual axles due to tire shear.
I’d love to see an article on the pros & cons of single vs dual axles on small (>22′) TTs.
I would love to do a long-term evaluation of this. I am a fan of single-axle trailers for a lot of reasons.
The ideal situation would be to test trailers as similar as possible in weight and size and across a variety of towing conditions as well. But I’m not sure I have the resources to do this. Thought it would be a great test.
Being an early Ember owner, there were a few things I mentioned directly to Ember that could be improved: split closet shelf, quieter AC, and multi-function microwave…
This would definitely be a one person bed, since it’s partially hidden beside the fridge and it appears to be set up for that area to be the foot.
I do wish there were more windows though.
Otherwise I like this trailer.
Thank you for the review, Tony! I like the relative sizes of the water tanks. Given that gray and black tanks are the same size, is there a single tank dump, or two? Have a great day and safe travels!