Coleman Lantern LT 17B vs Keystone Coleman 17B: What Changed in 2025
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If you are shopping for a Coleman 17B, you will see two names: the Coleman Lantern LT 17B, built by Dutchmen through the 2024 model year, and the Coleman 17B, built by Keystone starting in 2025. Same floorplan idea, different builder. We own a 2025 Keystone-built 17B with 11 trips and over 2,000 miles on it. We did not shop Lantern LTs when we bought ours, so those notes come from Dutchmen’s published specs and dealer listings.
In this post
- The quick answer
- Who makes Coleman campers?
- Lantern LT 17B vs Keystone Coleman 17B specs
- What changed when Keystone took over
- What stayed the same
- Used Lantern LT or newer Keystone?
- What to check on a used Coleman Lantern LT 17B
- Coleman Lantern LT vs Keystone Coleman 17B FAQs
The quick answer
The Coleman Lantern LT 17B (2024 and earlier) was built by Dutchmen. Starting with the 2025 model year, the Coleman 17B is built by Keystone. Both companies are owned by Thor Industries. The layout is the same idea: queen bed up front, dinette, kitchen, bunks and bathroom in the back.
- The Keystone Coleman 17B adds a 20,000 BTU furnace, a tankless water heater, full pass-through storage, and a taller interior. It is also about 15 inches shorter. In our opinion, Keystone really stepped up the quality from 2025 on and kept the price reasonable for a new camper.
- The Lantern LT 17B is the one you will find used, sometimes for $10,000 or less on Facebook Marketplace. It can be a great deal if it passes a water check.
Not set on a 17B yet? Our 5-question Coleman quiz compares it with the 13B, 13R, and 17R for your family and tow vehicle.
Watch our Keystone-built 17B
Aaron Goes Outdoors walks through a 2025 Keystone-built Coleman 17B, inside and out.
Who makes Coleman campers?
Through the 2024 model year, Coleman travel trailers were built by Dutchmen RV, which is where the “Coleman Lantern LT” name comes from. Starting with 2025 models, Keystone RV builds the Coleman line. Dutchmen and Keystone are both owned by Thor Industries, so this was a move inside the same parent company, not a sale to a new owner.
Keystone also split Coleman into tiers, according to Camping World’s 2025 launch writeup:
- Coleman: the entry-level, easy-to-tow line. This is where the 13B, 13R, 17B, and 17R live.
- Coleman Lantern: a step up, with residential fridges and bigger floorplans. Note that the new “Lantern” is not the same thing as the old Dutchmen “Lantern LT.”
- Coleman Legacy: the premium line, with fiberglass construction and solar.
- Coleman Homestead: destination trailers built to sit in one spot.
That naming trips a lot of people up. If you see a newer “Coleman Lantern,” it is a bigger camper, not the replacement for the Lantern LT 17B. The replacement for the Lantern LT 17B is the plain Coleman 17B.
Lantern LT 17B vs Keystone Coleman 17B specs
The Lantern LT numbers come from Dutchmen’s 2024 Lantern LT floorplan flyer where it lists them, and from dealer listings where it does not. The Keystone numbers come from Keystone’s Coleman 17B floorplan page. Used units vary by year and options, so always confirm on the unit’s own sticker and data plate.
| Spec | Lantern LT 17B (Dutchmen, 2024) | Coleman 17B (Keystone, 2025 on) |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | Dutchmen | Keystone |
| Length | 21’5“ | 20’2“ |
| Dry weight | 2,985 lbs | 3,071 lbs |
| GVWR | 3,990 lbs (dealer listings) | 4,300 lbs |
| Sleeps | 4 to 6 | 5 |
| Layout | Queen, dinette, bunks, rear bath | Queen, dinette, bunks, rear bath |
| Fresh / gray / black | 27 / 28 / 28 gal (dealer listing, 2022 unit) | 21 / 34 / 34 gal |
| Furnace | Check the unit | 20,000 BTU |
| Water heater | Check the unit | 42,000 BTU tankless |
| Fridge | Check the unit | 3 cu ft, 12V |
Two things jump out. The Keystone Coleman 17B is shorter but slightly heavier dry, and it has a higher GVWR, so it can carry more. It also trades some fresh water capacity for bigger gray and black tanks, which matters more than you would think on a long weekend with kids.
What changed when Keystone took over
Camping World’s 2025 writeup lists these updates on the Keystone Coleman 17B and 17R. Here is how they line up with what we have seen owning one:
- Taller interior, about 6’6“.
- 20,000 BTU furnace. We did a chilly trip and the furnace did an excellent job on less propane than we expected.
- Tankless water heater. Honestly a nice feature at this price. No waiting for a tank to heat up. It also changes how you winterize, since there is no tank to drain or bypass. Here is how we winterize our 2025 17B.
- Full pass-through storage. This is one of our favorite parts of the camper. All the outdoor gear stays outside, so you are not tracking mud through the inside. Grab some totes to keep it organized.
- Friction-hinge entry door.
- More storage overall.
Camping World also says the 2025 Colemans kept the same price and cut weight and length. Length is clearly down. The published dry weight on the 17B actually went up about 86 pounds, so do not count on it being lighter.
Keystone has kept tweaking it since, too. From what we have seen, the 2027 Colemans add an interior lip on the AC so it does not drip on you, which is a known issue on ours. They also dropped the rear bumper, which we really like having.
What stayed the same
The bones are the same camper idea. Both have a queen bed up front, a booth dinette that converts to a bed, a compact kitchen, bunks in the back for the kids, and a rear bathroom with a shower. Both are light enough for a lot of mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks. Check your own vehicle’s tow rating and payload either way.
Most of the upgrades we made to our 17B would carry over to a Lantern LT too: leveling blocks, a water pressure regulator, a keyless entry lock, a swivel TV mount, and mattress toppers for the bunks. The full list is in our Coleman camper must-haves.
Used Lantern LT or newer Keystone?
Prices on both vary a lot depending on the year, the dealer, and what add-ons come with it. Used Lantern LT 17Bs show up on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000 or less, while dealers often ask more. For reference, we paid $13,499 out the door for our new 2025 Keystone Coleman 17B. The weight distribution hitch was a separate purchase after that.
Our honest take: Keystone really stepped up the quality on the Coleman from 2025 on and kept the price reasonable for a new camper. That is a big part of why we went new. The other part, honestly? We wanted one nobody else had pooped in. But a clean used Lantern LT at a private-sale price is a lot of camper for the money, as long as it passes a water check. Get a quote on a new or leftover Keystone Coleman 17B either way, so you know what the gap really is.
A used Lantern LT makes sense if:
- The price is well under a new Keystone Coleman 17B, which is often true on private sales.
- It passes a moisture check (more on that below).
- You mostly camp with hookups and do not care about the newer furnace and water heater.
A newer Keystone Coleman 17B makes sense if:
- The price gap is small.
- You want the pass-through storage and taller interior.
- You want a warranty and to know the camper’s whole history.
What to check on a used Coleman Lantern LT 17B
These are the same checks we would run on any small travel trailer, plus the spots that gave us trouble on our own 17B in the first year. For the full list you can check off on your phone at the showing, use our used camper checklist.
- Water damage, first and always. Bring a pinless moisture meter and scan around every skylight, roof vent, window corner, and the front and rear caps. Our skylight and bathroom both leaked in year one. Here is how we check for water leaks.
- Soft spots in the floor and walls. Press on the floor near the door, under the sink, and around the bathroom. Soft means water got in a while ago.
- Roof sealant. Get up on the roof or use a ladder. Cracked or pulling sealant is an easy fix if it is caught early, and a big one if it is not.
- The AC drain. Run the AC and watch for drips inside. Our AC dripping fix covers what to look for.
- Tires. Check the date code on the sidewall, not just the tread. Trailer tires age out before they wear out.
- Every appliance. Run the furnace, water heater, fridge, AC, and stove before you hand over money.
- The VIN and model year. Make sure the listing matches the data plate, especially since Dutchmen and Keystone units can get listed under either name.
If you are new to this, pay for an RV inspection. It costs far less than a rebuilt wall.
Coleman Lantern LT vs Keystone Coleman 17B FAQs
Who makes Coleman campers?
Through the 2024 model year, Coleman campers were built by Dutchmen RV. Starting with 2025 models, they are built by Keystone RV. Both companies are owned by Thor Industries.
Is the Coleman Lantern LT 17B the same as the Keystone Coleman 17B?
They share the same basic floorplan: queen bed up front, dinette, bunks, and a rear bathroom. But they are built by different companies. The Keystone Coleman 17B is shorter, has a higher GVWR, and adds a 20,000 BTU furnace, a tankless water heater, and full pass-through storage.
How long is the Coleman Lantern LT 17B?
Dutchmen lists the 2024 Lantern LT 17B at 21 feet 5 inches. The Keystone Coleman 17B is 20 feet 2 inches.
How much does a Coleman Lantern LT 17B weigh?
Dutchmen lists the 2024 Lantern LT 17B at about 2,985 pounds dry. The Keystone Coleman 17B is listed at 3,071 pounds dry with a 4,300 pound GVWR.
How many people does a Coleman Lantern LT 17B sleep?
Dutchmen lists it as sleeping 4 to 6. Keystone rates the current 17B to sleep 5. In both, the bunks are really sized for kids.
What problems should I look for on a used Coleman Lantern LT 17B?
Water first. Check around the skylights, roof vents, windows, and front and rear caps with a moisture meter, and press for soft spots in the floor. Then check the roof sealant, tire date codes, and run every appliance before you buy.
Is a used Coleman Lantern LT a good deal?
It can be. Used Lantern LT 17Bs show up on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000 or less, though prices vary a lot with year, condition, and add-ons. Compare it to a new Keystone Coleman 17B before you buy. We paid $13,499 out the door for a new 2025, and we think Keystone stepped up the quality while keeping the price reasonable.
Final thoughts
The Coleman Lantern LT 17B and the Keystone Coleman 17B are the same camper idea from two different builders. Keystone made real improvements for 2025: a better furnace, tankless hot water, pass-through storage, more headroom, and in our opinion better quality overall, without pushing the price out of reach. A used Lantern LT can still be a great family camper if the price is right and it passes a water check.
Comparing other small Colemans too? See our Coleman 13B vs 17B and Coleman 17R vs 17B comparisons. For the long-term take on the Keystone Coleman 17B, read our one-year Coleman 17B review. Want to try one before you buy? You can rent our Coleman 17B here in Cedar Falls.