Every RV manual shows neat diagrams of hookups positioned exactly where your connections will reach, but real campgrounds are messier. Hookup locations can vary by 10-15 feet in any direction from where your rig naturally parks, depending on how the site was originally graded, where trees are located, or how previous campers have worn down the parking area.
The water spigot might be behind your rig when you expected it on the side. The electrical pedestal could be just out of reach of your standard cord. The sewer connection might require you to park farther forward or back than feels natural for leveling. This is why experienced RVers carry longer hoses and extension cords than whatever came with their rig originally.
What helps most is doing a walk-around survey before you unhitch or level. Look at all three hookups first, then decide where to position your RV rather than parking where it looks level and hoping everything reaches. Sometimes the best parking spot for hookups isn’t the most level spot, and it’s easier to adjust your leveling blocks than to move everything once you’re set up.
A practical starter kit includes a 25-foot fresh water hose, a 30-foot electrical extension cord rated for your RV’s amperage, and a 20-foot sewer hose setup. These lengths handle most site variations without forcing you to repark. The extra cost upfront saves time and frustration later, especially when you arrive at a site in the dark or during bad weather.