If you are still getting comfortable with your trailer, it helps to start with the basics first. Before spending money on upgrades, I would make sure you have your setup routine sorted out with our First Trip Checklist for the Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R. Once that part feels easy, the right upgrades can make the Coleman 17B or 17R much more enjoyable without turning it into an expensive project.
That is one of the things I like most about these trailers. They are small enough that every upgrade actually matters. Current Camping World summaries still position the 17B as the compact bunkhouse option that sleeps up to five, while the 17R is the couples layout with more storage and sleeping for up to three. Both are in the compact, easy-to-tow category at about 21 feet 5 inches long, so you really feel the difference when an upgrade improves setup, storage, comfort, or off-grid convenience.
For me, the best upgrades are not the flashy ones. They are the ones that save time, reduce frustration, and make the trailer feel easier to live with every single trip. If I were upgrading a Coleman 17B or 17R in order, I would focus on leveling and stabilization first, electrical protection second, then storage, tank management, and optional extras like a backup camera or portable solar depending on how you camp.
Better leveling and stabilization
This is the first place I would spend money. Camping World’s own guidance points out that lightweight campers like the Coleman Lantern LT 17B and 17R may only have two stabilizing jacks, and that can make proper leveling and stabilization more difficult than many first-time owners expect. That is exactly why this category makes such a noticeable difference on small single-axle trailers. Check out our page on Best Electric Jacks for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R.
If you are tired of messing around with blocks and repeated repositioning, a tire leveler is a nice quality-of-life upgrade.
Our Amazon Recommendation:
BESTOOL Light Trailer RV Tire Leveler on Amazon
This style of leveler fits many 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch wheels and is designed for single-axle trailers, which makes it a practical match for small campers in this class. Amazon listed it as in stock when I checked.
Amazon Recommendation:
Camco RV Leveling Scissor Jack Socket Drill Adapter on Amazon
This is one of those tiny upgrades that does not look exciting until you start using it. Instead of hand-cranking your stabilizers every trip, you can use a drill and get set up much faster. Amazon describes it as fitting 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch drills and working with 3/4-inch hex drive jacks, and it was listed as in stock when I checked.
If you camp often, these two upgrades alone can make the first and last fifteen minutes of every trip feel a lot smoother.
Real power protection
This is one of the smartest upgrades you can buy because it protects the whole trailer instead of just adding convenience. Poor campground power is not something you notice until it causes a problem, and by then it is already too late. A surge protector with proper diagnostics is one of those items I would rather own before I need it.
Amazon Recommendation:
Power Watchdog Smart RV Portable Surge Protector 30 Amp on Amazon
Amazon’s current product page says this model offers 3,000 joules of surge protection, emergency shutoff in dangerous conditions, monitoring through a smartphone, and a replaceable surge module. It was also listed with active purchase options when I checked. For a Coleman 17B or 17R, that is a very practical upgrade because these trailers are simple enough that one bad campground pedestal is not worth the risk.
I would also keep a household power adapter in the trailer full time. It is incredibly useful for pre-cooling the fridge, loading for a trip, cleaning the trailer, and checking systems in the driveway before you leave.
Amazon Recommendation:
Camco Power Grip 30A to 15A Adapter on Amazon
Amazon currently lists this adapter on a dedicated product page for Amazon.com, and this is one of those small purchases that ends up getting used way more than you expect.
Smarter storage for a small trailer
Small trailers are great until everyday items start piling up everywhere. That is especially true in the 17B, where the floorplan is already working hard to fit bunks, a dinette, kitchen space, and a bathroom into a compact footprint. The 17R gives you more storage than the 17B, but even there, better organization makes a big difference. Camping World specifically notes that the 17R offers more interior floor space and roughly two to three times more storage than the 17B. Make sure to head over to our page Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R for more tips and tricks.
That does not mean the 17R does not need storage help. It just means both floorplans benefit from using vertical space better.
Amazon link:
Criusia Over the Door Organizer on Amazon
This is the kind of upgrade that works well for toiletries, kids’ items, flashlights, socks, chargers, or all the random little things that usually end up thrown on the bed or dinette. Amazon’s current listing says it is reinforced to hold up to 55 pounds, and it was actively listed when I checked.
For a small trailer, storage upgrades do not need to be fancy. They just need to keep surfaces clear so the trailer feels less cluttered and easier to move around in.
Better tank and bathroom management
Nobody really talks about this stuff when they first buy a trailer, but small trailers make bad tank habits very obvious. The bathroom is closer, the space is tighter, and anything unpleasant feels bigger than it really is. Because of that, simple tank-care upgrades are worth it.
Amazon link:
Camco TST MAX RV Toilet Treatment Drop-Ins on Amazon
Amazon’s listing says one drop-in treats tanks up to 40 gallons and is designed to control odors for up to seven days while helping break down waste and tissue. That is a good fit for trailers in this size range, and it was listed on Amazon.com when I checked.
This is not a glamorous upgrade, but on a 17B or 17R, it is one of the easiest ways to keep the trailer feeling cleaner and easier to live with.
A backup camera if you want less stress on travel day
The Coleman 17B and 17R are not huge trailers, but that does not mean backing into tighter campsites is always easy. Trees, posts, picnic tables, and uneven angles can still make small trailers annoying to place. Camping World’s recent Coleman roundup notes that current models are pre-wired to make backup camera installation easier, which is a nice reason to consider one if travel-day stress is part of your camping experience. We also have a full page dedicated to Best Backup Cameras for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R. This is a great upgrade to have.
Amazon Recommendation:
Furrion Vision S+ RV Backup Camera System with 7-Inch Monitor on Amazon
Amazon currently describes this as a plug-and-play wireless RV backup camera with a 7-inch monitor, night vision, and compatibility for Furrion-prewired RVs.
This is the kind of upgrade that may not change campsite life itself, but it can make arriving at camp feel a lot calmer.
Portable solar if you actually camp off-grid
I would not tell every 17B or 17R owner to rush out and buy solar immediately. But if you regularly camp without hookups, portable solar starts making a lot more sense. Camping World’s 17R upgrade guide specifically recommends a 200-watt portable solar setup for this trailer, which lines up with how a lot of owners use compact travel trailers for lighter off-grid trips.
Amazon link:
Renogy 200W Portable Solar Suitcase on Amazon
Amazon’s current product page says this is a plug-and-play kit with a 200-watt suitcase panel and a waterproof 20A charge controller. It was actively listed when I checked.
For me, this falls into the category of upgrade only if it matches how you actually camp. If most of your trips are serviced campgrounds, spend your money elsewhere first. If you love off-grid camping, this moves way higher up the list.
What I would upgrade first
If I had to pick the best order for most Coleman 17B and 17R owners, it would go like this:
First, leveling and stabilization.
Second, surge protection and the household adapter.
Third, storage improvements.
Fourth, tank treatment and bathroom basics.
Fifth, optional upgrades like a backup camera or portable solar depending on your style of camping.
That order makes the most sense to me because it improves the parts of trailer ownership you deal with every trip. You notice it when you arrive. You notice it while setting up. You notice it when you sleep, move around inside, and pack up to leave.
Looking for more Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R upgrade ideas? Keep going with our guides on keyless entry, backup camera installation, electric tongue jacks, mattress upgrades, storage solutions, and curtains and blinds for the Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R. These are the kinds of upgrades that can make a small travel trailer easier to tow, easier to set up, and much more comfortable to camp in.