The Coleman Lantern LT 17R is the perfect first trailer for couples. It’s lightweight, affordable, and spacious inside. It also features simple systems that make it easier to learn to RV if you’re new to it. Naturally, all RV owners think about upgrades over time, so here are 11 options to help you enjoy a more comfortable camping experience in your Coleman Lantern LT 17R travel trailer.
With the right tools, you can make these upgrades yourself. However, if you don’t feel comfortable, reach out to one of our local service centers to have them installed by a certified RV technician.
Mattress
The biggest complaint I always have while camping is sleep. I never seem to get a good night’s rest at the campground, usually due to the mattress. The mattress that comes in the Lantern is manageable, but you’ll likely be missing the support and comfort of the one back home in no time.
When you’re ready to improve your sleeping situation, we recommend upgrading to the Brooklyn Bedding Medium 10.25″ Dreamfoam Hybrid Mattress. With an advanced cooling panel typically only found in luxury mattresses and a ¾” soft quilted top, it’ll keep you cool throughout the night and provide the support you need for better rest.
Please note that the main bedroom mattress is a short queen that measures 60” wide x 75” long.
Other RV Mattresses to Consider
Toilet
The bathroom is another area you can easily improve with a few small changes, especially the toilet. The small seats can be uncomfortable and, unlike the toilets in your house, most have a plastic bowl that tends to hold odors and stains more easily.
If you share these complaints, switch it out for something better. The Dometic 320 Series Gravity RV Toilet is our favorite toilet upgrade. It has a standard seat height for easy up and down, an elongated bowl for comfort, and a ceramic base that won’t stain or hold smells. You’ll hardly notice a difference between the Dometic 320 and the one back home.
Please note that the Dometic 320 Series requires a rough-in (distance from the wall to the center of the toilet flange) of 11” or more.
Other RV Toilets to Consider
Backup Camera
Often referred to as “the marriage saver,” a backup camera is a must-have upgrade for your camper. These cameras help you see what’s behind you when backing into a campsite or parking space, as well as on the road. They are powered by the running light circuit, so they work whenever you have these lights turned on.
We highly recommend the Trailer Life Pathway 5″ Wireless Backup Camera System. The system is wireless and easy to install. Simply plug and play with the 17R’s backup camera prep. The 5” color monitor allows you to see clearly, and the built-in camera lights help with improved low-light visibility.
Technician Tip: To install, remove the rear cover plate on the camper’s backup camera prep, 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, sync the camera to the display, and that’s it!
Other RV Backup Cameras to Consider
Trailer Tongue Jack
Like most campers, the Lantern comes with a manual crank tongue jack. Raising and lowering the trailer takes more time and effort than a powered tongue jack. This straining and time-consuming task is virtually eliminated with an electric trailer tongue jack, and the Lippert Electric Tongue Jack is a great reliable option. It operates with a simple switch and has a built-in light for night-time use.
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 must run a power wire to the battery. It’s an easy task that most can do themselves, but feel free to contact our service team if you’re uncomfortable with electrical wiring.
Other Trailer Jacks to Consider
Stabilization
The Lantern comes with two scissor jacks in the rear. However, you may want more stability, especially if you’re camping with kids or furry companions. To fully stabilize this Coleman trailer and minimize rocking from side to side, add another set of stabilizing jacks to the front.
We recommend a pair of scissor jacks. They mount to the bottom of the frame with self-tapping screws. The frame rails, which run parallel to one another, front to back, have a flat bottom. You can simply attach the front stabilizer jacks to the bottom of the frame, a few feet back from the front cross-member that links both sides together.
If you don’t feel comfortable installing the jacks yourself, you can take your trailer to any Camping World Service Center to have the work performed for you.
Other RV Stabilizer Jacks to Consider
Entry Steps
The Lantern LT 17R has a single entry step, which some may want to upgrade. Plus, entering the camper may require a considerably high step, depending on how high it rests once leveled and stabilized.
Many RV owners switch their steps out, and the Lippert SolidStep RV Steps are one of the most popular options for this. Unlike the factory pull-out step, the SolidStep directly contacts the ground. This improves stability and gets rid of all bouncing and wobbling. They also swing up inside the trailer for storage and provide a nice wide-step base for your foot.
Other RV Entry Steps to Consider
Power Roof Vent Fan
The 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 better, you can replace the manual vent in the living area with a powered vent like the MaxxAir Vent Fan. If you want to be able to use the vent fan in the rain, you’ll also need a cover like the MaxxAir FanMate Vent Cover.
Technician Tip: A powered vent fan should not be used above the shower due to the chance of humidity encountering 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. To prevent leaks, you must use some new sealant on the vent flange atop the roof once finished. 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.
Other RV Vent Fans to Consider
Solar
Supplementing your RV’s battery charging system with a solar kit is essential if you plan to avoid crowded campgrounds. Solar energy is great because it’s self-sustaining; there’s no fuel to add or noise to deal with like when using a generator. The Lantern 17R is prepped with a port at the front of the unit on the frame rail. That port is wired directly to the battery, allowing you to plug in a portable solar panel up to 200 watts and set it on the ground.
I recommend the Go Power! 200-Watt Portable Solar Kit. 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.
Other RV Solar Panels to Consider
Generator
A portable generator is a must-have upgrade for any camper. It provides freedom, so you aren’t limited to campgrounds and can enjoy your trailer’s full function when boondocking. They’ll power most of your essentials if sized correctly, keeping you cool and protecting your food from spoiling.
The Honda EU3200iAC 50-State Inverter Generator comes highly recommended. It’s durable, has exceptional fuel efficiency, and can easily power the Lantern’s air conditioning unit. We recently reviewed this generator in depth if you want to learn more. You’ll also need the Camco PowerGrip Generator Adapter to use your existing 30-amp power cord.
Other Portable RV Generators to Consider
Surge Protector
Your Lantern is filled with delicate 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 electrical problems you could encounter at the park. These problems could create surges that send excess voltage to your camper and your appliances. You could be left with a very expensive electrical repair if not protected.
This is why I recommend using a surge protector anytime you’re hooked up to park power. The Hughes Autoformer 30-Amp Power Watchdog comes highly recommended and gives you the peace of mind you deserve while camping.
Other RV Surge Protectors to Consider
Bike Rack
If you enjoy riding bikes, transporting them is one of the biggest issues you’ll face while traveling. Bikes are big and bulky. They’ll take up too much space in the bed of your truck, and you don’t want to transport them inside your trailer.
So, I have two great storage options for you: the Lippert Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System and the Stromberg Carlson Platform-Mount Two-Bike Rack. These racks both allow you to carry up to two bikes. The Lippert rack mounts to the tongue of the trailer’s frame, and the Stromberg Carlson rack mounts to the rear bumper.
Technician Tip: Exceeding the rear bumper’s capacity or misusing can result in serious injury and or loss of warranty.
Other RV Bike Racks to Consider
Please note, by no means do you need to upgrade every facet of your camper. This list has some common Coleman Lantern LT 17R upgrades others have found worthwhile and worth the cost of upgrading. That said, not everyone is the same, so some of these you may feel are warranted, and others are not. That’s totally okay, the most important thing is that you can enjoy the weekend with your partner. The Coleman Lantern LT 17R is a great camper you’ll enjoy every trip.
Which of these Coleman Lantern 17R upgrades appeal most to you? Let us know in the comments below!
Hello! How is this trailer for full time living? I’m young (21) and wanting to get out of my parents place, but can’t afford to rent a $200-$300 apartment. Renting something like this for $100 a month is much more feasible currently. What are some steps I could take to prepare this camper for full time living? Any winterization tips?
I like the idea of having the tanks as a backup, and I know that a city water connection is possible, but would a sewage connection be possible?
Lastly, you only mention the solar as an option for charging: But what about full time power? Would I be able to hook up a solar generator in its place, or should I consider having more batteries?
I can’t think of anything else right now, but this seems like an attractive option to me since I’m tired of sleeping on a couch (There wasn’t really space for me when I moved back in after college)
I have this camper. Was stung by Wasps found chicken wire without insulation above the AC which lets everything in and also was given a Mini antenna on top no longer manufacturing for yrs by Camping World on 2024 Camper. Robertsdale AL. Beware.
We are sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues with your Coleman Lantern LT 17R. Can you please email these details and your contact information to marcusvip@campingworld.com so that our team can look into this and help?
Hi Faith,
Much of comfortable full-time RV living comes down to your location. I’ve spent winters in the Sierras in a motorhome, and things were mostly smooth, with a few dicey moments. But we also took the steps of skirting/insulating the entire area underneath the RV, adding insulation to windows and roof vents, getting a heated water hose, and running a space heater to supplement our RV’s furnace. It also required getting on the roof every time we got more than 6 inches of snow to clear it.
That said, the 2023-2024 Coleman Lanterns were only built with an electric fireplace, which wouldn’t be enough to keep the interior warm on cold spring or fall nights, much less in the heart of winter. They also aren’t the most insulated RVs out there. However, the story is a bit different with the 2025 Colemans, as they’ve added a gas furnace for heat. Still, you’d likely need to add insulation and take many of the other steps I mentioned above to stay comfortable in one of these campers in the winter, depending on your location of course.
Here’s an article about winter RV skirting you might find useful: https://blog.campingworld.com/gear-and-accessories/winter-rv-skirting-best-practices/
And another about solar: https://blog.campingworld.com/gear-and-accessories/go-power-solar-options-to-extend-your-off-grid-trips/
Hope that’s helpful!
Thank you for the insightful reply!! Its very helpful, actually.
Admittedly, the lack of insulation isn’t as important to me– not only can I pile on more blankets in the winter, I also have a plug and use electric heater I can put at the foot of the bed if needed that I used while I was in college.
I live in the great plains, so winters aren’t too terrible– its more the summers I’d be worried about honestly. RV Skirting and insulation underneath the RV sounds like a good idea to keep the pipes from freezing, though.
How does this camper do in the winter with below freezing temperatures with an electric fireplace without a furnace? Is the fireplace alone able to heat the entire trailer?
Hey Torrie,
The fireplace won’t cut it in the dead of winter. The camper is not four-season rated, which takes into consideration heat, insulation, etc. Although still not four-season rated, the 2025 model comes with a furnace in place of the fireplace, so if camping in the colder months is your thing, you will definitely want to snag a 2025 model. If you want to be comfortable camping during the middle of winter, you would be wise to consider other models in all honesty.
Can you upgrade your ac unit to 8000 btu in a 2024 colman lantern 17r.
Hello Robert,
It’s certainly possible, but there are a few things to remember. For starters, you’ll want to measure the cutout size to be sure the new unit will fit. Furthermore, you’ll need to consider the increased power requirements. This may entail larger wires and or a new appropriately rated breaker. A better option might be to consider a portable air conditioner to supplement your existing.
I want to know how thick the framing is in walls
I want to install a wall mount for my tv
Hi Donald!
In addition to Conner’s suggestions, I’ll let you know we’ll soon be publishing an article on the steps for mounting a TV in an RV that’s prepped. It is scheduled to publish on Friday if you want to come back and catch that tutorial when it goes live!
Hello Donald,
If you wish to install a TV in your camper, I first recommend you look for a backer plate sticker, which indicates that additional backing material has been installed inside the walls to aid installation. If you don’t have this sticker indicating backing, you’d simply need to use a stud finder so you can find a stud to use for the TV mount. Then, you can use some self-tapping screws or lag bolts to attach the TV mount. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with the mount. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specs on the framing, but so long as you mark the studs and use the appropriate fasteners, you should not have an issue. If you don’t feel comfortable installing the mount yourself, you can always reach out to one of our service centers. I hope this helps!
Doesn’t come with a spare tire!
Hi There!
I’d recommend using a tire carrier like this (https://www.campingworld.com/rv-tire-carrier—universal-78792.html) to mount a spare to the rear bumper on this unit if you decide to go that route!
What a blessing to find your suggested upgrades. I am a first time RV newbie. What a great contribution you made in writing this article!
So glad you like them Rose!