(Spoiler: You probably didn’t. But it’s okay.)
You’re 37 miles from the last gas station.
The dog’s looking at you like “It’s walk time.”
You reach for the leash and… nope. Still hanging on the wall at home.
Welcome to RV life—aka the Olympics of Forgetting Stuff.
Because no matter how many checklists you make, reminders you set, or times you double-check the drawer…
You will forget something.
Possibly something important.
Probably something weird.
Here’s a tribute to all the things we meant to pack, prep, or do—and the mental gymnastics of RV memory.
🧠 The Ongoing Loop of Doubt
Did I turn off the water pump?
Did I close the roof vent?
Did I plug in the surge protector before the AC kicked on?
Did I lock the fridge? Wait… did I even shut the fridge?
RV life is basically one long brain quiz with random pop tests at 70 mph.
🔁 The “I Swear I Brought That” Classics
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The coffee filters (but you brought the French press!)
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The black tank hose (but not the attachment)
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The dog food scoop (you’re using a solo cup now)
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The adapter that fits this pedestal but not the one at the last 4 stops
And the award for “Most Forgotten Item” goes to: toothbrushes.
Followed closely by trash bags, paper towels, and that one spatula you actually like.
🛒 The “We’ll Grab It Later” Lies
“We’ll just stop at Walmart on the way.”
“There’s probably a grocery store near the park.”
“I’m sure the campground has a few things.”
Translation:
Prepare to drive 45 minutes and pay $8 for bug spray.
📋 The Checklists You Write… Then Ignore
Checklists are essential.
But somehow, they’re also decorative.
You’ll write one. Print it. Tape it inside a cabinet.
And then… totally wing it anyway.
That’s the spirit of RV life: organized chaos—with laminated tabs.
🧘 The Secret Is Acceptance
Forget something?
You’re not a bad RVer.
You’re just… human. In motion. In 200 square feet of decision-making.
If you're lucky, you'll laugh.
If you're unlucky, you'll invent a new use for duct tape and a shower squeegee.
Either way—you’ll survive. Probably with a story.
💬 Final Thoughts
RV life isn’t about perfect memory.
It’s about creative recovery, parking lot fixes, and realizing you don’t need 85% of what you thought you did anyway.
So when you forget something (and you will), just shrug, smile, and say:
“I remembered the important stuff—like snacks and leveling blocks.”
🐟 Want to remember which site actually has the hookups you need?
Use Campground Views to preview your site before you arrive—so at least one thing on your trip goes exactly as planned.