If there’s one thing RV life has taught us, it’s that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Campgrounds are unpredictable, and no matter how carefully you plan, something will inevitably go sideways. RV Spots get taken, hookups are in the wrong place, or a water main breaks right when you need clean socks.
But here’s the thing: it’s all part of the lifestyle—and life itself, really. Things happen. Nothing’s ever perfect, and there’s no point in getting worked up about it. Sometimes you find help, like a great camp host who sorts out the mess. Other times, you just roll with it and discover an unexpected silver lining, like a better site or even new friends.
Over the years, we’ve had plenty of these moments. Some were frustrating, others turned into funny stories, and a few ended up being the highlight of our trip. Here are six examples of times when our site wasn’t quite what we signed up for—and how we made it work.
1. The Class A Squatter – Pismo Beach
We arrived at Pismo Beach after a long drive, hungry and with a restless dog in tow, only to find our reserved spot taken. A massive Class A had decided our site was better for their rig and tried to convince us to take their smaller, worse spot instead.
We called the office—no answer. So we tracked down the camp host, but in the meantime, we had to back into an open site just to get out of the road. Of course, as soon as we parked there temporarily, the people who had booked that spot showed up. They had to wait in a driveway while we waited for the Class A squatter to move. It was a mess.
The camp host was fantastic, but even she had to convince the man that he wasn’t supposed to be there. Eventually, we got into our site, but not before the Class A guy made it clear he wasn’t happy about the situation. Let’s just say he wasn’t the friendliest neighbor for the rest of the week.
2. Musical Chairs – Knife Island
At Knife Island in Esko, we reserved a pull-through spot, but when we arrived, someone else was already parked there. The staff moved us to a back-in site instead, which actually turned out to be a better spot—more private, surrounded by trees, and with a great firepit.
We were happy with the change and settled in for the night, enjoying a fire and a well-earned drink. But then the campground owner came by and asked us to move again because a larger Airstream needed the spot. My husband flat-out refused. We’d already set up, unpacked, and started to relax. Even if they’d offered us two free nights, it wasn’t worth packing everything back up and moving again.
They eventually let it go, and the rest of the stay was great—but the experience left us wondering if they were playing campground Tetris with the reservations.
3. The Laundry Letdown – New Orleans KOA
After nearly two weeks without laundry, we booked a night at the New Orleans KOA specifically to catch up on washing clothes. Our plan was to spend a quiet Saturday relaxing at the campground—doing laundry, reading, and taking it easy before heading to our next site in the French Quarter.
But when we arrived, they casually mentioned that their water main had broken the night before, and the laundry room was out of service. It wasn’t their fault—these things happen—but it completely upended our plans. Instead of a low-key laundry day, we had to adjust and squeeze laundry into our schedule at the next stop.
4. A Better Connection – Lake Linden Village Village
At Lake Linden, our original spot was taken thanks to a Watercross race the weekend before. Funny enough, it was my cousin’s brother-in-law in our site. We had an option to wait it out (but we knew he wasn’t coming back for awhile) or move. So, we moved to a larger back-in spot, which turned out to be a great fit.
Even better, we hit it off with our neighbors. We shared dinners, stories, and laughs throughout the week and still keep in touch with them today. Sometimes, these mix-ups lead to connections and experiences that make the trip even better.
5. Backward Hookups – Lake Fanny Hooe
At Lake Fanny Hooe, our site was a back-in, but for some reason, the hookups were at the front, and on the wrong side. Thankfully, our smaller trailer gave us enough room to pull in forward and still park the truck nearby. When it was time to leave, we had just enough space to turn around through another site.
While the setup was unconventional, it wasn’t a big deal. The firepit was near the road, which gave us the chance to meet other campers who stopped to chat. It wasn’t the most private site, but the conversations made it memorable.
6. Too Long to Reach – Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort
At Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort in Scotts Valley, we booked a long pull-in site that sounded perfect—until we realized our hoses weren’t long enough to reach the hookups unless we parked all the way at the back of the site. This meant there was a tree in the way, and we couldn’t fully open the awning.
We adjusted by moving the trailer back a few feet and being careful not to open the awning too far. The weather was perfect, so we didn’t really need it. It wasn’t a huge problem—just one of those moments that makes you shake your head and laugh.
RV life has a way of keeping you on your toes. One day, your perfectly planned site turns into a chaotic mess, and the next, a mix-up hands you an upgrade you didn’t even know you needed. It’s unpredictable, messy, and sometimes downright frustrating—but it’s also where the best stories come from.
The key? Stay flexible. Laugh when you can, roll with the surprises, and remember: the journey is what makes it all worthwhile, not the perfection of every stop along the way.
Looking for travel, RV, or camping recommendations? Check out other travel gift lists, RV essentials lists, and even RV dog recommendations in my storefront.
