(Because no plan survives first contact with the campsite.)

There are moments in RV life that live in glory—sunsets by the lake, coffee in hand, birds chirping.

And then there are the other moments.

Like standing in a gravel lot, trailer ready to roll, and realizing you forgot… the hitch pin.

Not “misplaced.”
Not “buried in a bin.”
Gone. Still sitting in the garage, 86 miles away, next to the gas can and your last shred of confidence.

This is a story of panic, sweat, MacGyvering… and the sacred power of a backup plan.

🧩 Act I: The Realization

You’ve got the checklist.
You’ve done the walkaround.
The chocks are pulled. Everything’s buttoned up.

You lower the tongue onto the ball, and reach for the pin like it’s second nature…

Except it’s not there.
Because you forgot it.
Because you were “so sure” you packed it.

The moment your brain registers what’s missing is the same moment your stomach drops into your boots.

😤 Act II: The Five Stages of Hitch Pin Grief

1. Denial
“It’s here somewhere. I probably put it in a different bin.”
(It’s not. You didn’t.)

2. Anger
“I always pack it! Who moved it? WHO?!”

3. Bargaining
“Maybe I can use this random screwdriver? This bent tent stake? A stick?”

4. Depression
“I don’t deserve this trip. I’m a camping failure. Just leave me in the gravel.”

5. Acceptance
“Okay. Let’s figure this out.”

And just like that—you pivot.

🧠 Act III: The Backup Plan Saves the Day

This is where Backup You steps in.

Past You may have failed on the pin, but Past You did throw in that multi-tool. And a zip tie. And some baling wire.

And now, Future You is lashing that coupler shut like a rogue farmhand on a time crunch.

Is it elegant? No.
Is it safe enough to roll half a mile to the store? Yep.
Does it make you feel like a wilderness genius? Absolutely.

🔁 The Real Lesson: Things Go Wrong. Be Ready Anyway.

Forget hitch pins. You could forget:

  • Leveling blocks

  • Sewer hose adapter

  • The actual keys to the trailer door

You don’t need a backup plan because you’re careless.
You need one because you’re human. And camping has a funny way of humbling even the most organized person alive.

Backups = breathing room.

That can mean:

  • A spare bin with doubles of the essentials

  • A local hardware store marked on your offline map

  • Knowing your rig well enough to improvise under pressure

  • Having a sense of humor and a roll of duct tape

💬 Final Thoughts

That time you forgot the hitch pin? It won’t be your last blunder.

You’ll forget other things. Drop things. Break things.
But with the right mindset and a solid backup stash, you’ll bounce back.

Camping isn’t about being flawless.
It’s about recovering like a champ—dirty, grinning, and slightly more clever than you were the day before.

So here’s to backup plans.
To the gear we forget.
And to every moment that starts with, “Okay… so here’s the problem.”

🐟 Want Fewer Surprises When You Arrive?

Use CampgroundViews to preview your site before you get there.

  • Spot slope, obstructions, and awkward approach angles

  • Check how close you’ll be to the hookup posts (or if they even exist)

  • Know before you go—so you can plan better, pack smarter, and recover faster

🔗 Planning your next adventure?
Check CampgroundViews first. Backup plans are great—but a little heads-up goes a long way.