If you own a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R, upgrades are one of the best ways to make the trailer feel more practical, more comfortable, and easier to use every trip. You do not need to do a full remodel to see a big difference either. A few smart changes can make setup faster, improve comfort inside, add useful storage, and take a lot of stress out of towing and campsite arrival.
The best Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R upgrades are usually the ones that improve the parts of camping you deal with all the time. That means sleeping comfort, leveling and hookup gear, storage, safety, entry convenience, and power. Some owners want simple modifications that make weekends easier. Others want more serious customizations for off-grid camping, longer stays, or family use. Either way, this page covers the most popular upgrades worth looking at first.
If you are brand new to the trailer, it also helps to keep our First Trip Checklist for the Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R, and Coleman 17B / 17R Owner Resources, bookmarked so you can plan upgrades around how you actually camp.
Electric tongue jack upgrade
One of the most popular upgrades for the Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R is an electric tongue jack. This is the kind of change you notice right away because it makes hitching, unhitching, and small height adjustments so much easier. Instead of cranking by hand every time, you can raise and lower the trailer with the push of a button. For a smaller travel trailer, that is a big convenience upgrade.
If you camp often, an electric jack is one of the first mods worth doing. It is not flashy, but it makes every single departure and arrival smoother.
Recommended product on Amazon:
Husky HB4500 Brute Power Jack
Related Lantern17 page:
Best Electric Tongue Jacks for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R + How to Install One
Backup camera upgrade
A backup camera is one of the best safety and convenience upgrades you can add to a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R. These trailers are compact, but backing into campsites can still be awkward, especially in tighter provincial park and campground spots. A good camera setup helps with confidence, visibility, and stress.
For most owners, this is one of the most useful towing-related modifications because it helps on every trip, not just once in a while. If you tow solo a lot, it becomes even more worthwhile.
Recommended product on Amazon:
FODKH 7 Inch Wireless RV Backup Camera
Related Lantern17 page:
Best Backup Cameras for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R + How to Install One
Keyless entry lock
Keyless entry is one of those upgrades that makes the trailer feel better to use every day. No digging for keys. No fumbling at the door in the dark. No hassle going in and out while unloading or setting up camp. It is a convenience upgrade, but a really good one.
For owners who use their trailer often, this is one of the easiest ways to modernize the feel of the camper without changing the layout or doing a complicated install.
Recommended product on Amazon:
CARMTEK 10 Digits V2.0 RV Keyless Entry Lock
Related Lantern17 page:
Keyless Entry for Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Mattress upgrade
If you want the upgrade that probably changes comfort the most, it is the mattress. A better mattress can make the trailer feel like a completely different place to sleep. For a lot of owners, this ends up being one of the most worthwhile Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R upgrades because better sleep makes every trip better.
This is especially true if you camp for more than quick overnighters. When you are sleeping well, everything else about the trip feels easier.
Recommended Product on Amazon:
Zinus 8 Inch RV Memory Foam Mattress, Short Queen 60x74
Related Lantern17 page:
Best Mattresses for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Surge protector and power protection
A good surge protector is one of the smartest upgrades you can buy because it protects the trailer instead of just adding convenience. Campground power can be unpredictable, and this is one of the easiest ways to protect your electrical system.
This may not be the most exciting mod on the list, but it is one of the most practical. If you stay at hookup sites often, this should be near the top of the priority list.
Recommended product on Amazon:
Power Watchdog Smart RV Portable Surge Protector 30 Amp
Related Lantern17 page:
Solar and Power for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Portable power station
For owners who want more flexibility, a portable power station is a great upgrade. It gives you extra charging capacity for phones, lights, small electronics, and backup power needs without permanently modifying the trailer. This is especially handy for off-grid camping, loading up before a trip, or keeping a few essentials powered outside the RV system.
If you camp without hookups often, this is one of the more useful power-related upgrades you can add.
Recommended product on Amazon:
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station
Related Lantern17 page:
Solar and Power for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Solar and battery upgrades
Solar and battery upgrades are some of the best modifications for Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R owners who like camping off-grid. Even a simple setup can make a big difference in how flexible the trailer feels. Portable solar, better battery capacity, and a more intentional power setup all help reduce stress when you are not plugged in.
You do not need to go overboard to benefit from this either. Even a small improvement in your power setup can make weekend trips easier and keep the trailer more usable between campground stays.
Recommended Product on Amazon:
Renogy 200W Portable Solar Suitcase
Related Lantern17 page:
Solar and Power for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Storage upgrades and organization mods
Storage is one of the biggest opportunities for improvement in a small trailer. Smart storage upgrades can make the Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R feel bigger, cleaner, and more livable without changing much structurally. Better bins, hanging organizers, bunk-area storage, under-bed organization, and food storage systems all make a real difference.
For the 17B especially, bunk-related storage and family organization mods can be huge. For the 17R, under-bed and cabinet organization tends to matter more. This is one of the easiest categories to customize because you can improve it slowly over time based on how you use the trailer.
Related Lantern17 pages:
Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Food Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Bunk Bed Optimization for Coleman Lantern 17B
Curtains, blinds, and privacy upgrades
Window coverings are not always the first upgrade owners think about, but they can make a big difference in comfort and privacy. Better curtains or blinds can help with light control, privacy at campgrounds, and overall interior feel. This is one of those simple customizations that can make the trailer feel more finished and more personal.
Related Lantern17 page:
Curtains and Blinds for Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Dehumidifiers and moisture control
Moisture control is one of the more underrated upgrades for any smaller camper. A compact dehumidifier or moisture-control setup can help keep the trailer feeling fresher and reduce dampness during humid weather, rainy trips, or shoulder-season camping.
This is not the kind of upgrade people brag about, but it is one of the practical ones that helps the trailer stay more comfortable over time.
Related Lantern17 page:
Best Dehumidifiers for Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Entry and everyday convenience upgrades
Some of the best Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R upgrades are the ones that improve everyday use without becoming a major project. Keyless entry, better storage, easier bunk access, improved lighting, and cleaner power management all fit into that category. These kinds of mods do not change the trailer itself in a dramatic way, but they change how it feels to own and use it.
If you are trying to decide where to start, focus on the upgrades you will notice every trip first. For most owners, that means the electric jack, backup camera, keyless lock, mattress, surge protector, and storage improvements.
Which upgrades should you do first?
If you are starting from scratch, this is the order I would look at first:
- Electric tongue jack
- Backup camera
- Mattress upgrade
- Surge protector
- Keyless entry
- Storage and organization upgrades
- Power station or solar setup
That gives you a strong balance of convenience, safety, comfort, and long-term usability. After that, you can keep customizing the trailer based on how you camp most often.
More helpful Lantern17 pages
If you are planning upgrades for your trailer, these pages also help:
First Trip Checklist for the Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R
Coleman 17B / 17R Owner Resources
Best Backup Cameras for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R + How to Install One
Best Electric Tongue Jacks for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R + How to Install One
Keyless Entry for Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Best Mattresses for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Solar and Power for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Food Storage for the Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Bunk Bed Optimization for Coleman Lantern 17B
Best Dehumidifiers for Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
Maintenance Guide for Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R
FAQ
What are the best upgrades for a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R?
The best upgrades for most owners are an electric tongue jack, backup camera, better mattress, surge protector, keyless entry lock, and smarter storage solutions.
Are Coleman Lantern 17B and 17R upgrades worth it?
Yes. A few smart upgrades can make the trailer easier to tow, easier to set up, more comfortable to sleep in, and more enjoyable to use every trip.
What is the best first upgrade for a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R?
For many owners, the best first upgrade is an electric tongue jack or a backup camera because both improve convenience right away. A mattress upgrade is also one of the best comfort improvements.
Are solar upgrades worth it for a Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R?
Solar upgrades are worth it if you camp off-grid or spend time away from hookups. If you mainly stay at serviced sites, an electric jack, surge protector, and comfort upgrades usually come first.
Final Thoughts
The best Coleman Lantern 17B / 17R upgrades are the ones that fit your style of camping. Whether you are looking for comfort upgrades, storage upgrades, towing upgrades, or power upgrades, a few smart changes can make your Coleman Lantern 17B or 17R easier to use and more enjoyable on every trip. From popular mods like electric tongue jacks and backup cameras to simple customizations like better storage and window coverings, these upgrades help turn a basic trailer into a setup that works better for you.