How To Upgrade Your Camper Entryway | Coleman Lantern LT 17B

In this week's project we tackle the entryway of our Coleman Lantern 17B. We added a new double step, a window to the door, and a keyless entry lock. These three projects only took an afternoon and were well worth the effort.
As I have in past videos, I always make a cardboard template to cut holes and mock things up with and this was no exception. Cutting a hole in anything, let alone a very expensive door, can be intimidating, but hopefully this video will help with the anxiety of doing that. I used the box that the window came in to make the template, as the picture on the box was the exact size of the window. I just had to subtract the overhang of the window flange from the picture so it fit perfectly. I placed the opening of the cut 3 inches below the trim around the door and centered it from side to side. I used a multi-tool cutter with a 2" wide straight blade to cut through then fiberglass skin on the outside of the door and also through the plastic skin on the inside of the door. The door is foam filled so it was no problem to cut through either.
As far as the steps are concerned, they were a direct replacement for the factory single step. There wasn't any new hardware with this step so you will have to keep the original hardware to install it. I made the mistake of using the exact holes where the original was located but I should have used the next set lower on the existing factory bracket. I also had to loosen the front bolts on the bracket to take up some of the gap between that bracket and the new step. It uses the same size socket so no need to search for another one. This step is so much nicer and safer than the old step. We would typically set out a small, foldable step stool that was kind of sketchy depending on the ground conditions.
The digital key pad was even easier than the steps. It was literally 4 screws and a new mounting strike plate on the door. It only took a few minutes to install and also only a few minutes to program the key pad and I didn't even have to change the strike plate on the jamb.
These projects were just another step towards getting the camper a little more functional for our needs and are in no way necessary for the functionality of the camper, just personal preference.
We are set to leave very soon on our first camping trip of 2021 and can't wait to be done getting this camper ready for some more adventures. Don't forget to follow us along as we take you around the US and explore this great country of ours.
REMEMBER TO DREAM BIG AND DREAM OFTEN
GOD BLESS AND SAFE TRAVELS
Tools:
Multi-tool cutter with a 2" blade for wood and plastic, to cut through the door
Some cardboard for a template, some tape, a tape measure, and a pencil for the window install
9/16 socket and ratchet for the steps (I used my impact driver and a socket adaptor to speed things up)
Impact driver with a phillips bit for the install of the new latch
Products:
Window Kit:
www.amazon.com...
Double Entry Step:
www.amazon.com...
Keyless RV Entry Door Latch:
www.amazon.com...
Camera Gear:
GoPro Hero 7:
www.amazon.com...
Camera Stand and Microphone:
www.amazon.com...