RV preview: The forthcoming Ember RV E-Series 21RKE is well done

Today’s RV preview is of the forthcoming Ember RV E-Series 21RKE travel trailer. This is another new offering from the folks at Ember RV. It shows examples of why I like this brand and why it matters that an RV company’s decision-makers actually go RVing. Did you know that most RV decision-makers don’t? Yes, it is weird. No, it’s not uncommon. 

Ember E-Series

Something that has been a theme this year has been “decontenting.” Many of the RVs that sold well previously are selling less well, so you’ll see companies taking out more and more of the features that they deem unnecessary or that make a big difference in the price of the rigs that they figure you didn’t want anyway. 

I keep picking on that Jayco 25RB as a prime example of this, but it’s such an easy mark. 

Ember’s E-Series is labeled as the “Essential 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. 

These have no solar as standard, but that makes sense to me. You either want solar or you don’t. Those that do will find a nice solar package available. 

Honestly, much of what it takes to create the E-Series is no different than some other RVs. There are some really thoughtful touches in this trailer. 

There are still Goodyear Endurance tires, but the tire pressure monitoring system is an option. Get it. Seriously. This offering still has a good number of upscale features. However, the suspension isn’t one of them, being a very basic leaf spring design. This’ll work fine for you who don’t tow much. But if you plan to, upgrade with something like a MORryde CRE 3,000 shackle system.

Ember RV E-Series 21RKE - 2025

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More to like

Even though this is labeled the “Essential” series, which means it’s the entry-level in the Ember world, it’s by no means devoid of good features. For example, the overhead ceiling vent fans (note that that’s plural!) are of the high-performance variety. 

But something else I really like is that this features a turn signal system where the upper marker lights flash with the blinkers. This used to be a great feature in the Jayco that they took away. But perhaps it just changed addresses, because Ember’s got it even on their E-Series. So, you see, you can make a more affordable RV and still not ignore a great safety feature. 

My absolute favorite feature in here might be that this is the first RV with the Furrion Chill Cube air conditioner as standard equipment. Essentially, this is the first truly modern RV air conditioner, besides the Truma Aventa, that I have come across. Oh, and Ember’s Overland and Touring Editions come with the Truma Aventa. 

The Furrion Chill Cube essentially has heat pump technology and is so quiet you can barely hear it operate. It provides 18,000 BTU of cooling performance. This is the A/C unit we RVers have been waiting for. It is efficient, quiet, and has some great features. 

Another nice feature on these rigs is the Lippert Quick Drop stabilizer jacks. These are a dramatic improvement over the typical stabilizers in that they provide more stability plus they are approved to be used with a power drill. 

Something I always encourage people to do is look at how an RV is actually built. A common thing in the RV industry is called insert molding. That is a cheap-as-can-be plastic molding that covers the screws where the sidewalls are attached to one another. It doesn’t take long before this insert molding fails and people ask what it is and where to get it. 

But the E-Series doesn’t have it in the first place. Ember RV has pioneered a number of construction processes (some of which have already been ripped off by other companies), and this one doesn’t require the use of insert molding. So that’s just one more thing you won’t have to be concerned about. 

What’s inside the Ember E-Series 21RKE?

This is a floor plan that started over at Grand Design, which is a brand that does initiate great floor plans but then uses cheap components. What you have here is a very long countertop along almost the entire camp-side wall. If counter and drawer space are something that’s important to you, this might be the rig for you. 

Opposite that are theater seats in this floor plan. 

The front of the trailer features a permanent queen-sized bed that’s actually a queen-sized bed. There is hanging storage on either side, along with a drawer. The nifty thing about the way Ember RV has implemented this is that there are shelves in the hanging storage that you can just lift out. I have seen more campers ask for ways to store things in these bedside closets, but I suspect only a few actually hang clothes. 

I mean, come on, you’re camping? T-shirts and shorts or you’re not doing it right. 

Behind the closets is a space with power outlets for either things like a CPAP or to hide the gadgets you shouldn’t be looking at right before bed. Don’t worry, I do it, too. 

One of the seemingly minor details Ember RV has gotten right in here is that the overhead cabinet doors actually have struts. That means they’re not dropping down on your head while you’re trying to just get your underwear out. 

In fact, those little details are all over here. There are amber night lights in the main living space as well as in the bathroom. There are both USB A and USB C ports wherever you’re likely to just sit. 

The kitchen in the Ember RV E-Series 21RKE

This might be the one place where some folks aren’t happy. Like many Ember RV products, this features a two-burner propane stovetop and a convection microwave oven. Honestly, I don’t remember ever using all three burners on the stove in my RV, but I’ve heard more than a few people kvetch that there are only two burners here. 

I’m not complaining. And, if an RV company is going to preclude ovens, a convection microwave is a fine alternative for me. Give me a real oven or give me this—but do not put a 17” oven in an RV. 

While you’re looking at the kitchen, note all those drawers and cabinets—storage is not going to be an issue, nor is counter space. 

While some RV companies who build this floor plan put an electric fireplace in here, Ember RV has chosen to put more cabinets. They then include a couple of bar-height chairs so you can use the counter as a dining space or even a desk. 

Boondocking and travel access

With the slide in or out, this whole RV is fully accessible, which begs the question: Would it make sense to have a version of this that did not have a slide room at all?

Speaking of which, I was told that one of the advantages of the Norco Accu-Slide mechanism used in this trailer is that you can occupy the slide room with it in. In most cases, you shouldn’t occupy the slide of a towable RV unless it’s fully extended.

As mentioned, solar isn’t included in this model, but there are solar options with up to 400 watts of solar panels and a 2,000-watt inverter. As efficient as that Furrion Chill Cube is, I wonder if a 2,000-watt inverter could run it?

Conclusions

If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m really a fan of how companies like Ember RV, Brinkley, and Alliance RV, as well as Northwoods Manufacturing and Outdoors RV, are doing things. These independent RV companies both have to listen to customers but also do. They also have the common trait that their decision-makers all actually use the products they build. (What a concept, eh? 🤔)

Yes. There are also good products coming from Forest River and Thor, despite what people in some online forums say. But there are some lousy ones, too, and that’s where doing your research pays off. 

Overall, this is another really well-thought-through product from Ember RV that doesn’t break the mold but does offer details that really stand out in a floor plan that makes a lot of sense. 

My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this article. 

More Ember RV reviews:

• Ember RV Overland Series 221MSL – Updated, so let’s look again
• Ember RV E-Series 25RUD travel trailer – Affordable but not ‘cheap’
• 2024 Ember RV Touring Edition 26MRB – What did they do to the bedroom?

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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