Are you considering Coleman Lantern LT 17B upgrades that will make your bunkhouse travel trailer even more comfortable and functional?
The 17B is an affordable, family-friendly camper that’s great for those just taking the leap into the RV lifestyle. If you’re already a 17B owner, it’s natural to start wondering how you might upgrade your RV’s living space.
Must-Have Coleman Lantern LT 17B Upgrades
The desire to upgrade comes to all RVers eventually. Even if things don’t break, an upgrade can dramatically improve your RV. So here are our favorite upgrades for your Coleman Lantern LT 17B:
Technician Tip: All of these RV upgrades can be professionally installed by a certified RV technician at your local Camping World Service Center. Find a location near you.
New Mattress
Sure, the mattress that comes with your camper is much better than sleeping on an inflatable pad in a tent. But the first thing that many RVers do when they purchase a new or used unit is upgrade the mattress.
Many standard RV mattresses are thin and don’t provide much comfort. We recommend upgrading to the Brooklyn Bedding Medium 10.25″ Dreamfoam Hybrid Mattress, which does an excellent job of maintaining body temperature and providing support/comfort. If you would also like to upgrade the bunk mattresses, check out the Cozyway RV Bunk Mattress.
Technician Tip: In the 17B, the main bedroom mattress is a short queen, which measures 60” wide x 75” long. The bunk mattresses measure 29” wide x 72” long.
Shop Camping World’s complete selection of RV mattresses.
Backup Camera
Also known as “the marriage saver,” a backup camera is a must-have upgrade for your camper. These cameras will help you back into a campsite or parking space, and they also provide improved visibility while out on the road.
The running light circuit powers them, so whenever you have these lights on, the camera will also be on. We highly recommend the Trailer Life Pathway 5″ Wireless Backup Camera System. The system is wireless, so there are no wires to run to and from the camera. Simply plug and play.
Read our review of the Trailer Life Pathway backup camera before you explore our full selection of RV backup cameras.
Technician Tip: To install a backup camera on an RV that is prepped for a camera installation, remove the rear cover plate on the camper held in place with four screws. Once these screws are gone, attach the camera to the pre-wired plug and secure the camera using the same holes as before. Plug the monitor in, and that’s it!
Solar Kit
When camping off-grid, you’ll need a way to replenish your battery. This can be done with a portable generator, of course, but supplementing your RV’s battery capacity with a solar kit is an essential upgrade if you plan to avoid crowded campgrounds.
Solar is also great because it’s self-sustaining, and there’s no fuel to add or noise to deal with like when using a generator. The Coleman Lantern LT 17B is prepped for solar panels, making for a plug-and-play install.
Calculate how much solar you need for your RV.
We recommend the Go Power! 200-watt Portable Solar Kit for this camping trailer. It’s a complete kit and has everything you need. It’s also portable, so it’s easy to set up and take down when done.
Browse our full collection of RV solar kits.
Portable Generator
A portable generator is a must-have upgrade for any camper that doesn’t come with a built-in generator, which is honestly most towable RVs. A generator provides freedom so you aren’t always limited to a campground power pedestal.
As generator technology improves, the smaller and quieter they get. The Honda EU3200iAC 50-State Inverter Generator comes highly recommended with enough power for your entire camper. It’s durable and has exceptional fuel efficiency. Don’t forget the Camco PowerGrip Generator Adapter so you can use your existing power cord.
Learn how to choose the right portable generator for your RV or take a look at some other options.
Power Vent Fans
The Coleman Lantern has two vents, one in the living area and one above the shower. If you want to bring more fresh air into the camper for cooling purposes or to remove cooking odors, you can replace the manual vent in the living area with a powered vent.
We recommend the Dometic Fan-Tastic Roof Vent with Fan. This unit has a thermostat so you can set your desired temperature, multiple fan speed settings, and it’s very quiet. If you want to be able to use the vent fan in the rain, you’ll also need a cover like the Dometic Black Ultra Breeze Vent Cover, or the Dometic Ultra Breeze Vent Cover.
Technician Tip: A powered vent fan should not be used above the shower due to the chance of humidity coming into contact with the circuit board. Trailer roof vents are installed into a standard-size opening of either 14” x 14” or 14-1/4” x 14-1/4”. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about cutting into the roof. That said, you will need to use some new sealant on the vent flange atop the roof once finished to prevent leaks. We have a kit that makes this easy, the Dicor Seal-Tite Rooftop Accessory Installation Kit. You’ll also have to run a power wire to the battery for the fan motor.
Explore our full lineup of RV roof vent fans.
Toilet
If you’re like most people, one of the first things you look to replace in your camper is the toilet. The small seats are often very uncomfortable and, unlike the toilets in your house, most have a plastic bowl that holds smell and stains easily.
In some cases, RVs are made with low-profile toilets that make it hard to get up and down. If you share these complaints, switch it out for one like the Dometic 320 Series Gravity RV Toilet. This is our favorite RV toilet upgrade because it has a standard seat height, an elongated bowl, and a ceramic base that won’t stain or hold smells.
Technician Tip: The Dometic 320 Series requires a rough-in (distance from the wall to the center of the toilet flange) of 11” or more.
Shop for other RV toilet upgrades at Camping World.
Electric Tongue Jack
The Coleman Lantern LT 17B has a manual crank trailer tongue jack as the standard option. Manual tongue jacks take longer to raise and lower than an electric model, not to mention the sometimes unwanted workout required.
For some, manually operating a tongue jack is the last thing you want to do after a long day of driving to the campsite or enjoying your favorite camping activities. The strain and time-consuming task of raising and lowering your trailer is virtually eliminated with an electric trailer tongue jack.
The Lippert 3,500-pound electric tongue jack is a great option that won’t break the bank. It operates with the flick of a switch and has a built-in light for use at night. If you carry an electric drill with you, which we highly recommend, you can save some money with the Trailer Valet JX5-C Manual Center-Mount Trailer Jack. This jack uses a drill adapter for power operation, as well as still having a manual crank handle. There’s no wiring to worry about either, so installation will be much easier.
Technician Tip: Trailer tongue jacks all use an industry-standard mounting pattern, so you don’t have to worry about drilling new holes. They are bolt-on swaps. However, when upgrading to electric, you will need to run a power wire to the battery, but as the battery is on the tongue, it’s an easy task that most can do themselves.
Find our full selection of electric tongue jack RV upgrades at Camping World.
Stabilizing Jacks
The Coleman Lantern LT 17B has two scissor jacks on the rear. The tires and tongue jack serve as the remaining points for stabilization. If you find that this trailer moves more than you’d like when you’re walking around inside, consider adding a set of stabilizing jacks to the front.
This pair of 24″ Lippert Scissor Jacks is a great option because they mount directly to the bottom of the frame with self-tapping screws. They’re an easy addition to your 17B, and they come with a crank handle in case you’ve misplaced yours.
See our full selection of trailer stabilizing jacks.
Wheel Chocks
You’ll need a good set of wheel chocks to stop the trailer from rolling. Some experienced RVers employ wooden blocks or logs as wheel chocks, but we highly recommend using a product that’s specifically designed for this purpose.
Plus, most wheel chocks are lighter to carry in your storage compartment than wooden blocks or logs. The Camco RV Double Super Wheel Chock With Rope is great as it has a rope to keep both sides together. You can simply use one set on either side or both for added security.
Explore other options for wheel chocks for your camper.
Entry Steps
The Coleman Lantern LT 17B is built with a single manual entry step. Depending on your camping location, this may result in stepping quite high to enter your trailer. Sure, you could supplement with an adjustable step stool, but an entry step upgrade is also a great choice.
The Lippert SolidStep 26” RV Double Step is one of the most popular options. Unlike the factory pull-out steps, the SolidStep makes direct contact with the ground, improving stability and removing the bouncing and wobbling. They also swing inside the trailer for storage and provide a nice wide step for your foot.
Explore all the options for your RV entry step upgrade.
Surge Protector
Your Lantern camping trailer is filled with delicate electronics. Electronics you don’t want to replace if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, problems at the RV park power pedestal are not uncommon.
Open neutral, open ground, and reverse polarity are just some common problems you could run into at the park. These problems could create surges that send excess voltage through your camper and to your appliances. If not protected, you could be left with a very expensive mess.
This is why we recommend using some sort of surge protector anytime you’re hooked up to park power. The Hughes Autoformer Power Watchdog Surge Protector comes highly recommended and gives you the peace of mind you deserve while camping.
See our full selection of surge protectors.
Bike Rack
If you enjoy riding bikes, one of the biggest issues you’ll face is transporting them. Bikes are big and bulky, so there are very few places they’ll actually fit in most RVs. That’s why you’ll either need a hitch-mount, bumper-mount, or tongue-mount bike rack to carry them.
For the Lantern LT 17B, two of your best bike rack options are the Lippert Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System (tongue-mount) and the Stromberg Carlson Platform-Mount Two-Bike Rack (bumper-mount). These options both allow you to carry up to two bikes.
Discover our full selection of RV bike racks.
Technician Tip: Exceeding the rear bumper’s capacity or the acceptable tongue weight for your tow vehicle can result in serious injury or loss of warranty. Consult a service center if you’re unsure which rack is best for your trailer.
By no means do you need to upgrade every facet of your camper. This list has some common upgrades that others have found worth the cost of upgrading. The most important thing is that you can enjoy the weekend with your family. The Coleman Lantern LT 17B is a great camper you’ll enjoy each and every trip.
What other areas of your travel trailer are you interested in upgrading? Let us know in the comments below.
Anyone else have a water leak from the roof side seals? I do, with only 6 camping trips! My mechanic is saying I’ll have to scratch off sealant every year and reapply? Thinking this isn’t built as well as so was hoping for!
Hello Jentry,
This is not an issue I have heard of before. I recommend reaching out to the manufacturer or a local service center to see if your unit is still under warranty.
What is the spare tire and wheel I would need for my Coleman Lantern 17B? Where do I purchase this?
Hello Clayton,
The Coleman Lantern LT 17B comes with ST215/75R14D tires, so that is what you would need for a spare. “ST” indicates the tires are for special trailer use. “R” indicates the tires are of a radial ply, and “D” indicates the tire’s load rating. You can contact your local dealer for help finding a spare wheel and tire for your trailer. I hope this helps!
On a 17B does the two batteries recharge while I am driving.? Or do I need to plug the 30 AMP cord into an RV park outlet? Also is there a way to charge the batteries while I am parked at home? I do not have a 30 AMP plug in at home.
Hello Clayton,
Yes, the trailer batteries will be charged while hooked up to your tow vehicle assuming the circuit is functioning properly on the vehicle. That said, it’s a very slow trickle charge, so it won’t be able to completely recharge a depleted bank. In order to charge your trailer batteries while at the house, you can either hook a battery charger directly to the trailer’s batteries or you can use an adapter to plug your trailer into a standard outlet.
Has anyone ever tried to install a 50 gallon fresh water tank. All three tanks are 28 which doesn’t make sense. I was hoping to swap the fresh water tank for a 50 gallon tank. I figure that I use 20 gallons in the black and close to 30 in the grey.
Hey Vince,
I can’t say I have heard of anyone doing this before. That said, I’m sure it’s possible. I will admit that the freshwater tank is on the smaller side; however, you should be aware of a few things. For starters, it’s not uncommon for RV manufacturers to have a gray and black capacity that exceeds the freshwater tank. The reason for this is so you don’t overload any one tank. Regarding upgrading the freshwater tank, you should know that as this is a compact, lightweight trailer, space and weight are at a premium. Therefore, adding a significantly greater amount of freshwater could add substantial weight to the camper as well as possibly affect its balance and towability. I hope you found this helpful. Let us know if you have further questions.
Can the 17B be used as a 4 season trailer?
Hi Jackie!
The 17B is designed as a three-season travel trailer. This unit doesn’t have features like an enclosed underbelly or heated holding tanks that would make it more capable of handling extended season camping.
Is it possible to get a mattress for dining area to be permanently? What size and where could you find that?
Hi!
The dinette bed measures approximately 73″ x 39.5″ according to the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
You can explore our selection of RV mattresses to see if you can find a suitable replacement for the dinette cushions to turn it into a permanent bed: https://www.campingworld.com/inside-rv/bedroom/mattresses
Another option would be to convert it to a bed using the dinette cushions and then install a mattress pad or topper: https://www.campingworld.com/inside-rv/bedroom/mattress-pads-toppers
Hope that helps!
How exactly do the front stabilizer jacks ” mount directly to the bottom of the frame with self-tapping screws. “? There is only a thin vertical piece of steel.
Hi Ron,
Here’s the reply from the author:
“The frame rails, which run parallel to one another, front to back, have a flat bottom. You’re simply attaching the front stabilizer jacks to the bottom of the frame, a few feet back from the front crossmember which links both sides together. If you don’t feel comfortable installing the jacks yourself, you can take your trailer into any Camping World Service Center to have the work performed for you.”
Here’s a link to help you locate your nearest service center: https://rv.campingworld.com/rv-service-maintenance#js-anchor-locations