Ya a travel trailer isn't hard to manage solo. Once you master hookup and unhook and feel relaxed towing its a breeze. This camper is easy to fix if something goes wrong. Just keep up regular easy maintenance and check trailer brake wires once in awhile ( like all trailers! ) its a perfect solo camper. Seen one in person. It was built surprisingly very well quality.
If you can afford it, hold out and buy the 2025 model. It was listing at $15996.00, but Camping World will work with you. Items that changed for us was pretty simple. The size, is great along with it now comes with a gas fired furnace heater along with on demand water heater. The kitchen storage cabinets open out instead of up. Took ours home yesterday.
Man i just looked at one of these and while the price is right, the unit just feels "cheap" and frankly quality was not the first thing that came to mind
1 person, 2 cats looking to live in something while house being built and this looks perfect. Only concern is winter in southern NYS. It doesn't get THAT cold but 20's are possible. Would this keep it livable (mid-60's) inside? Looking at a 7 month (but could be a year) build. I could rent and apartment but this option gives me something at the end that I can keep and use or sell so does not feel like a waste of money over renting.
Thanks for reaching out and watching! I'd try and find something with a propane heater and some sort of insulation to your water tanks if you'll be below freezing at all!
It cost me roughly $30 a day to heat a camper... When it's around 20 or 30° outside.... ??? I had to run 220 volt to it, and use a 4-foot baseboard heater.... For the cheapest efficiency....
Nice overview although I like it when people talk about the inside first, as opposed to the outside first. Because the inside is the most important to me.
I bought mine October 1st 2024 it a 2024, I paid everything out the door $13,500 lots of people are paying $17,000 on up, dont know why. Its worth what i paid, does not come with spare tire and wheel,I paid $135 total for tire mounted on wheel on line, the queen size bed is to big for trailer cut mine down to ex large twin and made a big difference in room, the fridge works on battery and electric only, tested it, fridge worked on battery using fridge and lights only for 3-4 days, not bad, the air conditioner they claim is 12,000 BTU its only 5,000 and does NOT cool the trailer, its mounted high and air vents point only up to ceiling, you will need to replace it, the mattress that comes with the bed and with the booth is so bad its the same as sleeping on cement, i took out the booth it was uncomfortable and i put a coach in its place given me more floor space, the stove top is bad the highest flam is thr lowest on other gas stove top im not sure if its powerful enough to boil water, the knobs on top of stove seems like they will easly melt the pans are to close, strangly it does have an excellent antenna on the roof that does get lots of TV chanels, no sink in bathroom you will need to shave in kitchen, no oven they could have put a convection oven in it instead of just a microwave, the freezer in fridge so small not worth mentioning the table is wobbly and mine flew around the trailer when I first towed with it, again the air conditioner is really really bad I can't believe they didn't know this about it, you can't aim the vents down they hit the ceiling of the trailer, and they should give you a spare wheel and tire because it's a single axle
Closet and storage in bathroom is a horrible ideal.... Everything gets damp and mildews.... !!! The bunk bed model is better for the storage.... The water heater will scald you the electric fireplace won't warm below 50. The air conditioning will not cool the place... Cabinets will fall off the walls.... Don't move it much and sell it within 5 years.... !!! And a genius came up with a battery powered refrigerator... Turn it on and get it cold 2 days before you need to use it...
I actually got to check out a 2024 model bout 3 weeks ago. I been around campers for years. Honestly, i checked it out from top to bottom. The quality was on par with most all wood frame campers on the market. Simple setup yet easy to manage and maintain. Underbelly was of a good build to. And if something needed fixed it would be easy to do yourself. I noticed the 2024 model sidemount ac was set differently then before. Rear of ac was more to the drain side and seemed it would drain easy without obstacles like drain pan had a nice gap under it. Was a good built solid camper. Atleast the one I seen was. I would say for the price you cant go wrong. The wiring waz nice and clean even to the brakes. I'd like to have one. Super easy tow for a 1/2 ton truck all day. Even midsize truck or suv.
I'm hoping someone can answer my question. I noticed in the Lantern 17R & 17B that under the mattresses is particle board. Particle board is known to release high levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. In 2015 a few companies started making a formaldehyde free particle board. Does anyone know which particle board is used in the Dutchmen/Coleman campers?
I would say they probably used the cheapest materials and remember anything under 16,000 is cheap.They need to add solar and get rid of that stupid electric heater and put in a gas furnace,more cabinets,sink in that roomy bathroom.
Do you know how it works for towing capacity? The 5 person trailer has a weight of 3,000 lbs. GVWR (whatever that is) is 4,000 lbs. Does that mean a car that has a maximum pulling capacity of 5,000 lbs can pull this trailer? Does it also matter if you go uphill on a mountain or does that weight only apply if you go straight?
You're fine to tow this with a 5k cap, provided you have a brake control installed on your vehicle. If you're going up hilly areas frequently you'll feel it behind you. Always refer to your vehicle specs before someone on the internet though 👌
Look at what your vehicle’s max GVWR is. That will tell you what it’s rated for, trailer weight, plus all cargo (people included) so if your vehicle’s max gvwr is 5,000 lbs, and you have a 3,000lb trailer, with 300lbs of water, 700lbs of food, clothing, and gear, and 2 people who weigh 200lbs each, that would put you at 4,400lbs, which is within your rating. The terrain you’re pulling it in does not matter (as far as the manufacturer is concerned) however you will see decreased performance the closer you get to the max and the steeper the terrain you find yourself in.
My Chevy Tahoe usually gets about 18 mi to the gallon on the highway.... Pulling a empty 5 x 12 utility trailer I was down to 12 mi to a gallon on flat ground and 9 mi to a gallon on most hills... That's on the expressways....
I have 3 questions. 1) Can the opening to the bathroom door be widened to accommodate us big fat folks who don’t fit through 18 inch wide doors? 2) can a window be installed in the entry door without much trouble? 3 does it have a battery management system? For example, can you install a lithium iron battery? Do people still use the propane stove as a secondary form of heat? Back 60 years ago, you could get quite a bit of heat out of them to warm a camper on chilly mornings. Overall I like the Colman 17R camper. I really like that the a/c is not installed on the roof. One less hole to leak! Though not a fan of the drippy water issue if the trailer has a bit of camp side lean to it.
It will be crowded. Not a lot of seating besides the dining table. The seating is cheap and the Velcro falls apart soon as you remove the seating once. If you weren’t worried about the warranty you could remove the the crappy kitchen seating and put in a nice couch. Or get the model with the bunks and let the dogs sleep on those
Thanks for watching along! Qestions? Comments? Purchase agreements? Part of that RV lifestyle? Follow along for more!
I bought one, very happy with it!
❤❤❤ just right for one person
Ya a travel trailer isn't hard to manage solo. Once you master hookup and unhook and feel relaxed towing its a breeze. This camper is easy to fix if something goes wrong. Just keep up regular easy maintenance and check trailer brake wires once in awhile ( like all trailers! ) its a perfect solo camper. Seen one in person. It was built surprisingly very well quality.
Great looking little camper! I am single and retiring in a few months and this looks like just the ticket for me.
It's a good little starter rig that doesn't cost a small fortune to get into!
If you can afford it, hold out and buy the 2025 model. It was listing at $15996.00, but Camping World will work with you. Items that changed for us was pretty simple. The size, is great along with it now comes with a gas fired furnace heater along with on demand water heater. The kitchen storage cabinets open out instead of up. Took ours home yesterday.
Man i just looked at one of these and while the price is right, the unit just feels "cheap" and frankly quality was not the first thing that came to mind
1 person, 2 cats looking to live in something while house being built and this looks perfect. Only concern is winter in southern NYS. It doesn't get THAT cold but 20's are possible. Would this keep it livable (mid-60's) inside? Looking at a 7 month (but could be a year) build. I could rent and apartment but this option gives me something at the end that I can keep and use or sell so does not feel like a waste of money over renting.
Thanks for reaching out and watching! I'd try and find something with a propane heater and some sort of insulation to your water tanks if you'll be below freezing at all!
It cost me roughly $30 a day to heat a camper... When it's around 20 or 30° outside.... ??? I had to run 220 volt to it, and use a 4-foot baseboard heater.... For the cheapest efficiency....
I was all set to buy one…
The heater and 12 volt fridge was a dealbreaker.
Nice overview although I like it when people talk about the inside first, as opposed to the outside first. Because the inside is the most important to me.
I bought mine October 1st 2024 it a 2024, I paid everything out the door $13,500 lots of people are paying $17,000 on up, dont know why. Its worth what i paid, does not come with spare tire and wheel,I paid $135 total for tire mounted on wheel on line, the queen size bed is to big for trailer cut mine down to ex large twin and made a big difference in room, the fridge works on battery and electric only, tested it, fridge worked on battery using fridge and lights only for 3-4 days, not bad, the air conditioner they claim is 12,000 BTU its only 5,000 and does NOT cool the trailer, its mounted high and air vents point only up to ceiling, you will need to replace it, the mattress that comes with the bed and with the booth is so bad its the same as sleeping on cement, i took out the booth it was uncomfortable and i put a coach in its place given me more floor space, the stove top is bad the highest flam is thr lowest on other gas stove top im not sure if its powerful enough to boil water, the knobs on top of stove seems like they will easly melt the pans are to close, strangly it does have an excellent antenna on the roof that does get lots of TV chanels, no sink in bathroom you will need to shave in kitchen, no oven they could have put a convection oven in it instead of just a microwave, the freezer in fridge so small not worth mentioning the table is wobbly and mine flew around the trailer when I first towed with it, again the air conditioner is really really bad I can't believe they didn't know this about it, you can't aim the vents down they hit the ceiling of the trailer, and they should give you a spare wheel and tire because it's a single axle
I appreciate the feedback! They made some updates for the 2025 model if you haven't checked that out yet
Sounds like a great deal 😄.
Closet and storage in bathroom is a horrible ideal.... Everything gets damp and mildews.... !!! The bunk bed model is better for the storage.... The water heater will scald you the electric fireplace won't warm below 50. The air conditioning will not cool the place... Cabinets will fall off the walls.... Don't move it much and sell it within 5 years.... !!! And a genius came up with a battery powered refrigerator... Turn it on and get it cold 2 days before you need to use it...
I’m so excited to purchase one of these does anyone know of the fridge can run while being on the road?
Congrats on the purchase!
Yes it does , when plugged into the tow vehicle it will run between campsites , we love ours !
How many gallons of water does it hold and where can I get a manual for this camper?
Does anyone know if the heater can be replaced with an oven (even if just a small one)?
There is no sink in the bathroom. That's interesting.
Would you say this is the best 17 model on the market for the money now?
I actually got to check out a 2024 model bout 3 weeks ago. I been around campers for years. Honestly, i checked it out from top to bottom. The quality was on par with most all wood frame campers on the market. Simple setup yet easy to manage and maintain. Underbelly was of a good build to. And if something needed fixed it would be easy to do yourself. I noticed the 2024 model sidemount ac was set differently then before. Rear of ac was more to the drain side and seemed it would drain easy without obstacles like drain pan had a nice gap under it. Was a good built solid camper. Atleast the one I seen was. I would say for the price you cant go wrong. The wiring waz nice and clean even to the brakes. I'd like to have one. Super easy tow for a 1/2 ton truck all day. Even midsize truck or suv.
Can't say I've seen every re-creation on the market but I think they're a great little starter rig!
I'm hoping someone can answer my question. I noticed in the Lantern 17R & 17B that under the mattresses is particle board. Particle board is known to release high levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. In 2015 a few companies started making a formaldehyde free particle board. Does anyone know which particle board is used in the Dutchmen/Coleman campers?
I would say they probably used the cheapest materials and remember anything under 16,000 is cheap.They need to add solar and get rid of that stupid electric heater and put in a gas furnace,more cabinets,sink in that roomy bathroom.
Does this camper have or need trailer brakes?
Camper is equipped with trailer brakes so a brake controller is needed!
Do you know how it works for towing capacity? The 5 person trailer has a weight of 3,000 lbs. GVWR (whatever that is) is 4,000 lbs. Does that mean a car that has a maximum pulling capacity of 5,000 lbs can pull this trailer? Does it also matter if you go uphill on a mountain or does that weight only apply if you go straight?
You're fine to tow this with a 5k cap, provided you have a brake control installed on your vehicle. If you're going up hilly areas frequently you'll feel it behind you. Always refer to your vehicle specs before someone on the internet though 👌
Look at what your vehicle’s max GVWR is. That will tell you what it’s rated for, trailer weight, plus all cargo (people included) so if your vehicle’s max gvwr is 5,000 lbs, and you have a 3,000lb trailer, with 300lbs of water, 700lbs of food, clothing, and gear, and 2 people who weigh 200lbs each, that would put you at 4,400lbs, which is within your rating. The terrain you’re pulling it in does not matter (as far as the manufacturer is concerned) however you will see decreased performance the closer you get to the max and the steeper the terrain you find yourself in.
You will usually lose 50% of your fuel mileage...
My Chevy Tahoe usually gets about 18 mi to the gallon on the highway.... Pulling a empty 5 x 12 utility trailer I was down to 12 mi to a gallon on flat ground and 9 mi to a gallon on most hills... That's on the expressways....
What is the realistic lifespan for a unit like this?
Really dependant on personal maintenance. I've seen brand new ones trashed and 10 year old gems before.
I have 3 questions. 1) Can the opening to the bathroom door be widened to accommodate us big fat folks who don’t fit through 18 inch wide doors? 2) can a window be installed in the entry door without much trouble? 3 does it have a battery management system? For example, can you install a lithium iron battery?
Do people still use the propane stove as a secondary form of heat? Back 60 years ago, you could get quite a bit of heat out of them to warm a camper on chilly mornings.
Overall I like the Colman 17R camper. I really like that the a/c is not installed on the roof. One less hole to leak! Though not a fan of the drippy water issue if the trailer has a bit of camp side lean to it.
can it fit a king bed?
Won't fit a king without modifying the frame
So it doesn't have a furnace???
No just the electric fireplace. Probably plenty of heat for 17 ft camper
Would you recommend this for a couple with 2 dogs to live in full time?
I think it may get a bit tight with the pups! Check out my couples camper channel for a few more 👌
It will be crowded. Not a lot of seating besides the dining table. The seating is cheap and the Velcro falls apart soon as you remove the seating once. If you weren’t worried about the warranty you could remove the the crappy kitchen seating and put in a nice couch. Or get the model with the bunks and let the dogs sleep on those
These comments are looking for luxury with a very low price. People, you get what you pay for!!
Price?
we just bought one in Gulf Breeze, Fl. $14,000 for a 2024
Listings are fluctuating but mid teen range
Price
Teens depending where you are
Needs a bathroom sink
Price?
Should be listed in the low-mid teens depending where you are