Do You Need RV Toilet Paper? Let Common Sense Prevail
We give a lot of love and care to our RV’s. We wash and wax them to keep them new and shiny. Shouldn’t we do the same when it comes to caring for our RV sewage tanks?
They are just as delicate, if not more, than our backsides. If that’s the case then, we should be asking ourselves one very important question when it comes to handling RV sewage tanks: What’s the real difference with RV toilet paper?
What is RV Toilet Paper?
RV toilet paper is made from biodegradable material that breaks down quickly. This allows easy entry into the sewage system from the RV toilet, and an easy exit out of the sewage system when draining the black tank.
Benefits of Using RV-Specific Toilet Paper
The biggest benefit of using RV toilet paper is to ensure that your black tank doesn’t clog and back up. RV toilet paper is made to disintegrate preventing possible clogging.
Using the appropriate toilet paper also plays a part in keeping your monitors accurate, so you know how full your black tank actually is. Playing a guessing game is not fun when it comes to your black tank.
RV Toilet Paper vs Household Toilet Paper
Is there really a difference with RV toilet paper compared to household toilet paper? Aren’t they all made to disintegrate?
Ok, yes, toilet paper is made to break down in the toilet. That’s the purpose of flushing only toilet paper down a toilet and not all of your trash and recyclables.
But toilet paper is made a bit differently, some meant to disintegrate faster and easier than others, such as RV toilet paper.
While there are some household toilet papers that you could technically flush down an RV toilet, and all will be good in the hood (or the tank), you have to decide if the risk is worth taking.
After all, there are definitely bigger risks in life than possibly clogging up your black tank. Are there, really? Definitely cleaner ones!
What Happens If You Use Household TP in Your RV?
Is it really necessary to use specialized toilet paper? Why not just use an everyday household toilet paper?
I get it. Specialized anything generally comes with an increased cost, and RV toilet paper is no exception.
Ultimately, you get to be the one who decides what goes into your RV sewage system.
If you use an RV composting toilet, these basic principals still apply.
How about a quick science experiment to test out some household TP?
You’ll need a small clear jar or cup with a lid.
Place about 5 ounces of water in the cup along with two or three sheets of clean toilet paper. Cover the jar and shake vigorously two times.
Keep the jar on a level surface.
Wait for about 30 seconds.
If after about a minute, you still see large pieces of toilet paper floating in the water…Beware!
This household TP is not good enough for your delicate RV sewage system. Try again with another brand if you so desire, you may find a brand that works for you and your RV toilet.
So what does happen if you decide to use household TP instead of RV toilet paper?
If you handled the experiment properly and are confident in your TP choices, then probably nothing.
Keep in mind, though, while there are no guarantees of never having a plugged-up black tank if you only use RV toilet paper.
It does decrease your chances of becoming a YouTube star for exploding black tanks.
Where to Buy RV Toilet Paper?
RV toilet paper can be found in most chain camping stores and most large chains such as Walmart. Like shopping online, instead? Amazon and many other online stores will have a variety of options for RV toilet paper.
PRO TIP: Here’s the current price of RV Toilet Paper.
Let Common Sense Prevail
Common sense dictates you won’t want to use a quadruple-ply toilet paper. However, after running our simple experiment, you may quickly realize household TP isn’t all that bad.
Nobody wants to deal with a clogged toilet, in an RV or otherwise.
The real difference with RV toilet paper disintegrates down to, well…how do you want to breakdown?
If we’re talking TP, then quickly, please.
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I would have liked to see you compare with septic tank safe TP. Septic safe TP has similar requirements of RV but costs a lot less than TV TP.
I see your point but if you really want to avoid black tank problems use baby wipes abd dispose of them in the trash can. Keep a dryer towel in the bottom of the can and take the trash out daily. I have been a full-time for 4 years and it only took one time having a clogged toilet to change my mind. The other plus is baby wipes leave you feeling fresher and you can make your own .
We use regular one ply Scott, the one labeled Safe for Septic systems. Did the water in a glass test to be sure. The Scott became one with the water practically instantly. We’ve also had the experience of having to empty our black water into a bucket to haul to a privy when dry camping at a federal campground. Disgusting color, of course, and gross odor but absolutely no remnants of TP. I worry more about grease not breaking down in the gray water.
On the other hand, some folks new to RV-ing are so clueless they need to be told not to use quilted multiple ply ordinary household TP. I also know plumbing can be more complicated on newer RVs (our current travel trailer is so old it’s eligible to run for President) so it does pay to be careful.
We have been full timing for 15 years and don’t put the paper down the toilet just bag it in a Ziploc and put it in the trash . If you use a mascerator it will be way less app to clog.
We’ve lived in our 5th wheel RV for more than 10 years and only once had a problem—our black tank valve stuck solid and had to be replaced. We had always used Scot one ply until that happened. And coincidentally, the valve stuck after we had been gone from the RV for a week (on a vacation). So, we began bagging our TP daily and throwing in the trash and have continued to do this for 3 years.
We have used 1 ply toilet paper from Walgreens @ $2 a pk of 4 for years in 5 different rvs. No problem at all. We spray the bowl with 409 cleaner..use a few squares and flush…
Sounds wonderful
We’ve been bagging our toilet paper for almost 20 years, the first 18 living on a sailboat, and the past 2 in our RV. We’ve never had a clog problem because it gets bagged! Our house rule is simple: if you didn’t eat it, it doesn’t go in the toilet. Works every time. 🙂
I prefer to just toss our TP into the garbage can. Only pee and poop go down in the “Black Tank” for me.
Use a bigger, portable or installed. Use 1/4 section of paper towel to dry. Can save (only water) or depose in waste basket..save a clog & a tree.
We have trained friends and family to the three sheets rule. We drive the rv places and I always dump immediately after driving home. if the tank isn’t full before travelling home, I always add 3-5 gallons of water.
It is well stirred and dumps easily. Even one time when I saw the dreaded mountain of TP from above…
The only time we had a problem is when the black tank froze, lol…