Coleman 17R vs 17B: Honest Comparison From a 17B Owner

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On paper, the Coleman 17R and 17B are almost twins. They are about the same length, about the same weight, and start at the same MSRP. The big difference is what is in the back of the camper: the 17B has bunk beds, and the 17R does not. We own a 2025 Coleman 17B with 11 trips and over 2,000 miles on it. We have not camped in a 17R, so the 17B notes come from owning one, and the 17R notes come from the published specs and dealer listings.

The short version

The Coleman 17R and 17B are both about 20 feet long, about 3,070 pounds, and start at the same price. The 17B has bunk beds in the back and sleeps five. The 17R swaps the bunks for a wardrobe closet and sleeps three.

The 17R is built for couples, or a couple with one small kid. You give up the bunks and get more storage and a less cramped back end.
The 17B is built for families. The bunks give the kids their own spot to sleep, and the camper sleeps more people overall.

Same size, same tow, same price. Pick based on who is sleeping in it. Still torn? Take our 5-question Coleman quiz, which also weighs in the smaller 13B and 13R. If it is just the two of you and your tow vehicle is on the light side, the all-electric 13R (2,483 pounds dry, sleeps 2) is worth a look.

Watch a Coleman 17B walkthrough

Aaron Goes Outdoors walks through a 2025 Coleman 17B, including the bunk area that the 17R replaces.

▶ Jump to the 17B interior and bunks in the video

Coleman 17R vs 17B specs

These are the current specs from Keystone’s own Coleman 17R and Coleman 17B floorplan pages, with MSRP from RV Guide. Dealer listings vary a little by model year and how they measure, so confirm the numbers on the exact unit you are looking at.

Spec	Coleman 17R	Coleman 17B
Length	20’5“	20’2“
Dry (shipping) weight	3,061 lbs	3,071 lbs
Cargo capacity	1,239 lbs	1,229 lbs
GVWR	4,300 lbs	4,300 lbs
Hitch weight	368 lbs	398 lbs
Bunk beds	No	Yes
Wardrobe closet	Yes	No
Sleeps	3	5
Front bed	Queen	Queen
Dinette	Booth, converts to a bed	Booth, converts to a bed
Stove	2-burner gas	2-burner gas
Fridge	3 cu ft, 12V	3 cu ft, 12V
Furnace / water heater	20,000 BTU / 42,000 BTU tankless	20,000 BTU / 42,000 BTU tankless
Bathroom	Rear	Rear
Fresh / gray / black	21 / 34 / 34 gal	21 / 34 / 34 gal
Starting MSRP	$16,488	$16,488

The real difference: bunks vs no bunks

Both campers have a queen bed up front, a booth dinette and kitchen in the middle, and the bathroom in the rear. What changes is the back corner.

In the 17B, that space is a set of bunk beds, right across from the bathroom. That is what makes it a true family camper: the kids get their own beds, and the adults keep the queen.

In the 17R, there are no bunks. Keystone lists a full wardrobe closet instead, so you trade sleeping spots for real hanging storage and a more open back end. With the dinette converted, it sleeps three.

The booth dinette and bunk beds in the Coleman 17B

What is the same on both

Because they share so much, most of what we have learned owning a 17B applies to the 17R too:

Towing: They weigh within about 10 pounds of each other dry and share the same 4,300 lb GVWR. If your vehicle can tow one, it can tow the other. Check yours with our towing calculator. Ours tows easily, including a roughly 500 mile haul each way to Mackinac Island.
The queen bed up front. Ours is comfortable, and it is the spot where a mattress topper and good sheets make a real difference.
The kitchen: two burners, a microwave, and a compact fridge. We swapped our factory burners for a flush cooktop for more counter space, and the same idea would work in a 17R.
Water: the same tank sizes, and the same need to watch your angle so the AC does not drip inside.

The queen bed at the front of our Coleman 17B

Our honest take on the bunks

We have used the bunks, and here is the honest truth: they are meant for kids. If you are on the tall side, they are a bit short. They work for a grown-up in a pinch, but nobody over about average height is going to want them for a full weekend.

That is really the whole decision. If the people sleeping in the back are kids, the bunks are great: they get their own spot, and the adults keep the queen. If the extra sleepers are usually adults, the bunks are not doing you many favors, and the 17R’s storage and open back end start to look better.

For our family, the bunks earn their keep, and they are a big reason the 17B works as a rental for families too. If there is a real chance you will be camping with kids in the next few years, the 17B is the safer bet.

Which one should you buy?

Pick the Coleman 17R if:

It is usually just the two of you, or your extra sleepers are adults.
You want real hanging storage instead of beds you will not use.
You want a back end that feels more open.

Pick the Coleman 17B if:

You camp with kids, or plan to soon.
You want to sleep five when family or friends come along.
You might rent it out, since families are a big part of that market.

Since the size, weight, and price are basically the same, there is no wrong answer on towing or budget. It comes down to beds versus storage.

Upgrades that work on both

Nearly every upgrade we have made to our 17B would fit a 17R the same way:

Leveling blocks and a water pressure regulator for every setup.
A keyless entry lock for the standard RV entry door. Here is our keyless lock install.
A swivel TV mount. Here is how we mounted a 32-inch TV in our Coleman.
Roof sealant and a moisture meter to stay ahead of leaks. Here is how we check for water leaks.
Shelf bins and a fridge travel strap to keep things from sliding around on the road.

The full list is in our Coleman camper must-haves. Comparing the smaller Coleman too? See our Coleman 13B vs 17B comparison.

Coleman 17R vs 17B FAQs

What is the difference between the Coleman 17R and 17B?

The 17B has bunk beds in the back, and the 17R does not. The 17R uses that space for storage, including a wardrobe closet. Otherwise they are nearly the same size, weight, and price.

Does the Coleman 17R have bunk beds?

No. The 17R has a queen bed up front and a booth dinette that converts to a bed. If you need bunks, look at the 17B.

How many people does the Coleman 17R sleep?

Three, per Keystone: two on the queen bed and one on the converted dinette. The 17B sleeps five because of its bunk beds.

Is the Coleman Lantern LT 17R the same as the Keystone Coleman 17R?

They are the same floorplan idea from different years. Older Coleman campers like the Lantern LT 17R and 17B were built by Dutchmen, and the current Coleman 17R and 17B are built by Keystone. Specs and features changed a bit along the way, so check the model year on any used unit.

Is the Coleman 17R heavier than the 17B?

No. Their published dry weights are within about 10 pounds of each other, and both have a 4,300 lb GVWR. Anything that can tow one can tow the other.

Which is better for a couple, the 17R or 17B?

The 17R. Same size and price, but you trade bunks you would not use for storage and a more open back end.

Are the Coleman 17B bunks big enough for adults?

They are really sized for kids. We have used ours, and if you are on the tall side, they are a bit short. Fine for a grown-up in a pinch, but not where you want to spend a whole weekend.

Final thoughts

The Coleman 17R and 17B are the same camper with a different back end. If it is mostly the two of you, the 17R gives you storage and space instead of empty bunks. If you camp with kids, the 17B earns its keep. Either way, you are getting one of the easiest-towing, best-value small campers out there.

Want to try one before you buy? You can rent our Coleman 17B here in Cedar Falls and see how the layout feels. For the long-term take, read our one-year Coleman 17B review, and for more Coleman content, subscribe to Aaron Goes Outdoors on YouTube.