Your first trip in a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R is exciting, but it can also feel like there are a hundred little things to remember before you pull out of the driveway. These are compact travel trailers, which is one of the reasons so many people love them, but that also means organization matters. Current model listings show the 17B at 20 feet 2 inches and the 17R at 20 feet 5 inches, with 21 gallon fresh water capacity and 34 gallon gray and waste tanks. In a trailer this size, the easiest way to enjoy your first weekend is to keep things simple and bring what you actually need.
Must-have hookup gear
Fresh water hose : Our Pick on Amazon
Bring a drinking-water-safe hose and keep it stored separately from any sewer gear. A small trailer is a lot easier to manage when your hookup gear is organized from the start.
Water pressure regulator : Our Pick on Amazon
This is one of the easiest ways to avoid water problems on your first trip. A regulator protects your trailer plumbing from higher campground pressure and makes your water hookup much less stressful.
Sewer hose kit : Our Amazon recommendation
If your campsite has sewer hookups, having a decent sewer hose kit from day one makes setup and teardown much easier. Even if your first trip is short, this is one of those things that is better to own before you need it.
Sewer hose support : Our Amazon Pick
A sewer hose support is not always the first thing people buy, but it helps keep flow moving downhill and keeps the hose more controlled on uneven ground. Camco’s current product page for its aluminum support says it is designed for standard 3-inch RV sewer hoses, folds down compactly, and is meant to help maintain smooth drainage.
Wheel chocks : Our Amazon Pick
Chocks should come out before you settle in, not after. That habit makes leveling and unhitching feel a lot more controlled. Current Amazon results still show Camco wheel chocks with rope as a common RV option.
Leveling blocks : Our Amazon Pick
A small single-axle trailer like the 17B or 17R is a lot easier to live in when it is level. Current Amazon results still show Camco FasTen leveling blocks as one of the common RV options in this category.
Power adapter for home use : Our Amazon Pick
A 30-amp to 15-amp adapter is one of those small items you end up using all the time. It makes it easier to plug into a regular household outlet while loading, cleaning, testing systems, or cooling the fridge before you leave.
Surge protector : Our Amazon Pick
If you are plugging into campground power, I would strongly consider a surge protector right from the beginning. It is one of the smartest first-trip purchases because it helps protect the trailer instead of just adding convenience.
Before you leave!
Before leaving home, I would do one full walk-around and one full systems check. Make sure the trailer is latched to the hitch properly, safety chains are connected, lights are working, stabilizers are up, the door is locked, loose items inside are secured, and your fridge is set the way you want it. Then check that your fresh water, sewer, and power gear are all packed in the same outside storage area so you are not digging through the trailer at the campground looking for one missing part.
If you are already thinking ahead to easier towing and setup, you should definitely check out our other pages on Installing a Backup Camera in a Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R, Keyless Entry for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R, How to Install an Electric Jack on Your Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R, and Solar and Power for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R.
All items linked in this list are available on Amazon with links attached, making it easy to browse product details, check current pricing, and find the right fit for your setup.
Hookup essentials - Easy Checklist
Interior essentials
Solar Generator Power Station (Great for phones)
Outdoor essentials
Pre-departure essentials
Hitch check
Light check
Tire check
Stabilizers up
Loose gear secured
Fridge set
Water and power gear packed together
The nice thing about a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R is that you do not need a mountain of stuff to have a great trip. You just need the right stuff. Once your hookups are easy, your setup is organized, and your essentials are packed in the same place every time, the rest of camping gets a whole lot more relaxing. That is when you can settle in, make supper, sit by the fire, and actually enjoy what you bought the trailer for in the first place.