Top 10 Things We Bought for Our Coleman 17B in the First Year (And Would Buy Again)
We have had our 2025 Coleman 17B for about a year now, with 11 trips and a little over 2,000 miles on it. Along the way we bought a lot of stuff for it. Some of it was a waste. These 10 were not. Every item here is something we bought with our own money, installed or used, and would buy again.
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Watch the upgrades in action
Most of these show up in our one-year review video. Each item below has a link that jumps straight to the moment I talk about it.
Aaron Goes Outdoors walks the 2025 Coleman 17B after a year of camping, including every upgrade on this list.
The quick list
- Flush 2-burner cooktop
- Keyless entry lock
- Wireless backup camera
- Bathroom storage cabinet
- Screen door pull bar
- Shelf organizer bins
- Swivel TV mount
- Spare tire, carrier, and cover
- Roof lap sealant
- Water pressure regulator
Plus a few more that almost made it, and our FAQs.
Here is why each one made the cut.
1. A flush 2-burner cooktop
The factory Suburban cooktop did not work for us. I melted the handles on it, and when I priced out replacement parts, swapping to a flush cooktop turned out to be the cheaper long-term move. The CONTOURE recessed 2-burner RV cooktop sits flush with the counter, and the glass cover doubles as prep space when you are not cooking. In a kitchen this small, that extra counter is a big deal. It also just looks better.
▶ See the cooktop swap in the video
2. A keyless entry lock
This is one of our favorites. The RVLock compact keyless door lock gives you a keypad code, a key fob, and physical keys as a backup. We rent the camper out on off weekends, so being able to set a fresh code for each guest made the whole handoff easier. The install is beginner-friendly, but the fob programming took some trial and error. Full walkthrough in our keyless RV lock install guide.
▶ See why it is our favorite upgrade in the video
3. A wireless backup camera
The 17B comes pre-wired for a Furrion-style backup camera, so this wireless RV backup camera plugs right in and connects to the screen. No running wires down the length of the trailer. It makes lining up and backing into a site far easier, and it is handy on the highway too.
▶ See the backup camera in the video
4. A bathroom storage cabinet
The 17B bathroom has almost no storage, and it is a lot of white. We added this narrow bathroom cabinet with a toilet paper rod. It is a close match to the factory cabinets, gives us real storage and a spot for toilet paper, and makes the bathroom feel more finished and less clinical.
▶ See the bathroom cabinet in the video
5. A screen door pull bar
A small, cheap add that we use every single trip. The RVGUARD screen door cross bar gives you something to grab so you can pull the door shut without wrestling the big door. It adjusts to fit, and it takes a few minutes to put on.
▶ See the pull bar in the video
6. Shelf organizer bins
We found these in a Coleman Facebook group, and they fit the factory shelves really well. The Homsorout fabric shelf bins come in a 6-pack and keep the overhead shelves organized instead of everything sliding around every time you take a corner. They collapse flat when you do not need them.
▶ See the shelves in the video
7. A swivel TV mount
One of the first upgrades I wanted was a real TV, not a tablet on the wall. The Perlegear lockable RV TV mount holds our 32-inch TV, swivels so you can watch from anywhere in the trailer, and locks in place for travel. Here is the full Coleman 17B TV mount install.
▶ See the TV installed in the video
8. A spare tire, carrier, and cover
Ours did not come with a spare we wanted to count on, so we set one up. We went with a 14-inch trailer tire on a 5-lug rim, an elevated spare tire carrier mount, and a spare tire cover to keep the sun off it. Hopefully you never need it. If you do, you will be glad it is there. Double check your own tire size and bolt pattern before you order.
▶ See the spare tire setup in the video
9. Roof lap sealant
This one is not exciting, but it matters. We had a small skylight leak that came down to the sealant on the roof, and I resealed it myself. We also used Dicor on a small leak at the shower seam early on. Neither is a hard job if you catch it early. Keep a tube of Dicor self-leveling lap sealant for flat roof seams and a tube of Dicor non-leveling lap sealant for vertical edges and trim. Check around every skylight and roof light early, because you may not notice a leak right away. We also picked up a moisture meter to check for hidden water damage, and that is getting its own post.
▶ See the skylight leak in the video
10. A water pressure regulator
Campground water pressure is all over the place. A Camco brass water pressure regulator screws on between the spigot and your hose and keeps the pressure in a safe range for your camper’s plumbing. It is cheap insurance against a burst fitting.
A few more that almost made it
Not every good buy needs its own section. These are small, but still worth it:
- Furnace bug screens. Little screens on the outside of the furnace vent to keep pests out.
- Stronger bumper end caps. The factory ones were loose, which is a problem when your sewer hose lives in the bumper.
- A fridge travel strap. Holds the fridge door shut while you drive.
- A fuse kit and a first aid kit. Neither is fun to buy. Both live in the camper.
▶ See the caps and bug catchers in the video
Coleman 17B upgrade FAQs
What is the best first upgrade for a Coleman 17B?
For us, the backup camera. The 17B is pre-wired for it, so it plugs right in, and it makes backing into a site much easier from day one.
Is the Coleman 17B pre-wired for a backup camera?
Ours was. It is pre-wired for a Furrion-style camera, so a compatible wireless camera connects without running new wires.
Can you replace the stove in a Coleman 17B?
Yes. We swapped the factory cooktop for a flush 2-burner propane cooktop. It gave us more counter space and was cheaper long term than replacing parts on the original.
How do you add storage to a Coleman 17B?
The easiest wins for us were a narrow bathroom cabinet and fabric bins on the overhead shelves. Both were cheap and made a real difference.
Are these upgrades worth it on a small camper?
The ones on this list were. We left out anything we bought and stopped using. Everything here gets used on every trip.
Final thoughts
None of these are flashy, and most of them are cheap. That is kind of the point. A year in, these are the things that made our 2025 Coleman 17B easier to cook in, easier to back up, easier to keep organized, and easier to rent out. If you are just picking up a 17B, start with the backup camera and the pull bar, then work your way down the list.
Want to see them in person before you buy? You can rent our Coleman 17B here in Cedar Falls, all of these upgrades included. For the long-term take on the camper itself, read our one-year Coleman 17B review and the six-month owner review. Everything above is in our Coleman 17B gear and upgrade list.
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