The bunks are one of the biggest reasons the Coleman Lantern 17B works so well for families and small-group camping. The current official 17B floorplan is the single-bunk layout and sleeps up to five, while the current 17R is the rear-bath layout that sleeps three, so this page is really for 17B owners who want to get more comfort, storage, and function out of the bunk area.

If you use the bunks often, a few simple upgrades can make a big difference. Better sleeping comfort, smarter storage, easier top-bunk access, and a more useful lower bunk setup can all make the trailer feel more organized and easier to live in.

If you are already working on other upgrades, this page also pairs well with Must-Have Coleman 17B / 17R Upgrades, Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R, Curtains and Blinds for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R, Installing a Backup Camera in a Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R, Keyless Entry for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17,  and How to Install an Electric Jack on Your Coleman Lantern 17B / 17.

Upgrade the bunk mattress for better comfort

If the bunks are being used regularly, this is the first place I would spend money. Factory bunk mattresses usually work, but they are rarely the most comfortable part of the trailer. For kids, guests, or longer trips, a little more cushioning goes a long way.

Amazon pick for bunk comfort:

FoamRush 4" x 29" x 72" Gel Memory Foam RV Mattress Replacement on Amazon

This is a strong fit for the Coleman 17B because it is sold in the same 29 x 72 size that Camping World lists for the bunks. Amazon’s product page describes it as a gel memory foam RV mattress replacement made for camper and trailer use, and it was actively listed when I checked. 

If you want the simplest upgrade with the biggest comfort payoff, this is where I would start.

Give each bunk a place for small essentials

One of the biggest reasons bunks get messy fast is that there is never a good place for little stuff. Phones, chargers, books, headphones, snacks, glasses, flashlights, and toys all end up floating around on the mattress unless you give them a home.

Amazon pick for bunk-side storage:

Loghot Bedside Caddy on Amazon

This is a really practical bunk upgrade because it hangs right where the sleeper actually needs things. Amazon currently shows it as Amazon’s Choice, with strong review volume, recent purchases, and in-stock availability from Amazon Fulfillment. 

For a small trailer, this kind of storage works better than adding more random bins because it keeps the bunk area useful without making it feel cluttered.

Use the space under the lower bunk better

The lower bunk area is one of the most useful storage zones in the 17B if you keep it organized. It is a great place for extra bedding, soft bags, off-season clothes, shoes, games, or kid gear, but only if you can get to it easily.

Amazon pick for under-bunk storage:

Under Bed Storage with Wheels on Amazon

This style works well because it slides out easily and keeps gear contained instead of turning the lower bunk area into a pile. Amazon’s product page highlights smooth wheels, easy-grip handles, and a foldable design, which makes it a good match for a small camper storage zone.

If you are also trying to improve organization throughout the trailer, make sure to check out our Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R page.

Make the top bunk easier and safer to access

This is one of the most important parts of bunk-bed optimization, especially if the top bunk is used often. If getting into the top bunk feels awkward, unstable, or annoying, the whole bunk setup becomes less useful than it should be.

Amazon pick for top-bunk access:

SROODTUO Telescoping RV Bunk Ladder on Amazon

This is a strong option for a camper bunk area because it is specifically sold as an RV bunk ladder, uses an aluminum frame, and supports up to 330 pounds according to the current Amazon listing. It was actively listed when I checked. 

A better ladder is one of those upgrades that helps every single night. It makes the top bunk feel more practical, safer, and easier to use without changing the trailer itself.

Add better bunk lighting

Good bunk lighting should feel useful, not harsh. A small clip-on reading light usually works much better than trying to rely only on the trailer’s overhead lights, especially if one person wants to read or wind down without lighting up the whole camper.

Amazon pick for bunk lighting:

CUHIOY Rechargeable Clip-On Reading Light on Amazon

Amazon’s current listing says this light uses a rechargeable battery, clips onto bed headboards, and includes adjustable color and brightness settings. That makes it a good fit for a bunk where you want more control over light at night. 

This is a small upgrade, but it makes the bunks feel a lot more finished and usable.

Improve airflow on warm nights

Bunks can get stuffy fast, especially in warm weather or when the trailer is full. A small fan is one of the easiest ways to make the bunk area more comfortable without installing anything permanent.

Amazon pick for bunk airflow:

Gaiatop Portable Clip-On Fan on Amazon

Amazon’s current product page describes it as a rechargeable clip-on fan with three speeds, low noise, and battery life that ranges by speed setting. For bunk use, that is exactly the kind of simple comfort upgrade that makes sense. 

If you camp a lot in warmer weather, I would put this much higher on the list.

Make the bunk area safer

If the bunks are being used by kids or by anyone climbing in and out in the dark, traction matters. A little more grip in the right place can make nighttime access much easier and safer.

Amazon pick for better grip:

LifeGrip Anti-Slip Traction Treads on Amazon

Amazon’s listing describes these as high-traction anti-slip treads for steps and smooth surfaces. They are a smart add-on for a bunk ladder, bunk step point, or another slick surface around the bunk area.

This is not the flashiest upgrade, but it is one of the most practical.

Removing the bottom bunk entirely

This is one of the more flexible ideas for the Coleman 17B, and it is worth keeping in the conversation because not everyone uses both bunks the same way. If you do not need the lower bunk as a sleeping space, removing it can open up a surprisingly useful part of the trailer.

That space can become a gear zone, pet area, kid storage zone, clothing station, or a more open area that makes the trailer feel less crowded. For some owners, that change makes the 17B work much better for the way they actually camp.

If you go this route, I would keep all removed parts and hardware together so the bunk can be put back later if your needs change. I would also be smart about what goes there. The current 17B specs list a 1,229 lb carrying capacity, so even though opening up the lower bunk creates more usable room, it is still important to keep weight sensible and distributed properly.

Amazon pick for a repurposed lower-bunk area:

Amazon Basics Collapsible Fabric Storage Cubes on Amazon

This is a simple option if you remove the lower bunk and want the space to stay neat instead of becoming a catch-all. Amazon’s current listing describes these as 10.5 x 10.5 x 11-inch collapsible cubes with handles, sold in a 6-pack, and the page showed them as a strong-selling in-stock option when I checked. 

That kind of setup works especially well if you want the lower bunk area to feel intentional instead of temporary.

Final thoughts

The bunks are one of the best features in the Coleman Lantern 17B, but they work a lot better when they are set up intentionally. Better comfort, smarter storage, easier top-bunk access, and a more useful lower bunk can make the trailer feel easier to camp in every single trip.

You do not need a full remodel to get there. A few smart changes can make the bunks more comfortable, more organized, and much more useful for the way you actually camp.