Are you paying extra for RV-safe toilet paper? Photo via Reddit
Do You Really Need RV-Safe Toilet Paper?
When it comes to the toilet paper you use in your rig, do you go for the septic-safe TP advertised for RVs and boats, or do you just buy the same regular rolls that you use back at home?
Some say this rapid-dissolving TP will help keep your waste tank from getting clogged, but others argue that these pricier rolls are just a waste of money.
The benefits of RV toilet paper
Septic-safe toilet paper is specifically designed for use in RVs and boats. It breaks down faster than regular bath tissue and in turn, prevents your waste tank and sewer hose from messy clogs.
Yes, it costs more than regular rolls, but the extra dollar or two could be worth it to prevent clogs and potential headaches. iRV2 member RV_Road_Trip advises referring to your RV manual to decide what type of toilet paper is best for your rig. “You have to ask yourself if your investment in your RV is worthy of you doing what is best for it and doing what the manufacturer of your RV recommends.”
Regular toilet paper can also build up and cause your tank sensors to constantly read as full. To resolve this, try using a wand to spray the sides of your tank to loosen up the paper, or a holding tank treatment to dissolve stuck TP and get rid of bad odors.
Is RV toilet paper a waste of money?
Some RVers say they’ve been on the road for years and have never had an issue with any TP. As long as you keep plenty of liquids in the tank and regularly clean your tanks, you should not have any issues no matter what type of toilet paper you’re using. iRV2 member DJBSDB says,
“RV toilet paper is nothing but cheap one ply at marked up prices. We have full timed for several years never had a stopped up black tank or sewer hose. We use a good one ply Charmin, found at Walmart.
Always leave black tank valve closed until ready to dump, keeping plenty of liquids in tank, flush tank after dumping. After dumped and closed black water valve, put a couple toilet bowls of water down the toilet to ensure always liquids in bottom of black water tank. Always fill bowl with water when paper and or poop flushed. Plenty of liquids is the key to keeping tanks and hoses open. “
The main takeaway
Septic-safe TP may help prevent clogs since it can dissolve faster, but it’s also not always necessary. Keeping your tanks regularly cleaned will ultimately prevent clogging more than your choice of TP at the store. However, take a look over your RV manual and shop around to decide which type and brands work best for you.
You can also try a simple shake test to see if a particular TP will dissolve well in your tanks. To do this, take a piece of the toilet paper, put it in a glass jar with some water, tighten the lid, and shake it around. If the paper breaks down into thousands of dissolved pieces, it’s good to use in your RV; if it wads up, you may want to find another brand.
What type of toilet paper do you use in your RV? Share your thoughts and preferred brands with us in the comments below.
See also: How To Prevent RV Sewer Hose Explosion
The million year old debate. Here is a little info that I have never seen brought into the decision making process of which type of TP should be used.
-the shake test, I think is a reliable test if you are constantly on the road. The test should duplicate the RV’s situation. If you are parked at a campsite, you are obviously not shaking around.
So here is something to think about, what type of black tank chemicals are you using and how fast does the chemical break down the toilet paper of your choice. Because if your rig is parked that is all there is to help break down all solids in your black water holding tank.
For those of you that don’t use chemicals in your black tank, trust me when I say, we (everyone at the camp grounds on the same leg of sewer pipe). Smell you when you dump. Alot of residents in camp grounds leave their gray water tank open, so when you dump your untreated black tank the smell / fumes make there way into their RV’s and I am sure they appreciate your consideration.
Do to these inconsiderate types I have started keeping both gray and black closed and ONLY opening them when I need to.
I use chemical in my black tank and I use 2 ply that I get from camping world and without moving my RV I have never had any issues related to dumping my tanks.
Only 2 times the park trees roots tore up the sewer pipe. They finally cut down the tree.
Anyway, my point is, it is not just the toilet paper that is the issue but also the way you treat your holding tank.
Yes, RV living is cheaper living than a sticks and bricks home, however there are still some common expenses that must be spent.
Safe and happy travels
We use the $1 for 4 rolls septic safe packs from the Dollar Store and they work just fine…had no problems.
If you have a macerator system then ant toilet paper will work just fine. Why waste money? I have never used anything but regular toilet paper. The one ply should be labeled “Finger Poke Tissue.
Absolutely worthless!
rv toilet paper? place 3 or 4 sheets in a quart jar filled with water shake for 5 seconds , if it breakes up it is good for a rv.
We use whatever toilet paper does the cleanest job. But we don’t put it in the toilet…it goes in the trash can…problem solved. Empty the trash can into the campfire or trash barrels.
Yuck, and I have a pretty strong stomach. I do not think I want to be smelling your campfire smoke
After watching a “friend” of mine I learned a trick… after I’m done using the potty I leave my drawers down and just scoot across the carpet. My friend, Rover ,seems to think it works well and he doesn’t have to buy TP…… Of course he doesn’t have to clean the carpet either!!!
I’m thinking of finding a new friend that might teach me a better trick or two. Anybody know anything about goldfish?
Excellent answer! I’ve got a parrot and he just drops it off and walks away! Wuz up with that? So don’t get a parrot if you want to learn how to POOP correctly!
I am a full time RVer for almost 2 yrs and I follow the standard of the more water the better. I am camped in a full time park and use standard 2 ply with chemicals and lots of water. I may dump more often than my neighbors but I haven’t had a clog yet!
I do have a curious question? I live in beautiful Oregon and it gets very cold here into the teens…. How do you deal with “Frozen Poop” ? Yes you read that right. I have had to make sure my tanks don’t get to full so I can add fresh water to top it off and wait a bit then it will release but it gets tricky to keep an eye on your tank but so far so good!
Keep on moving * You never know whats around the corner *
I haven’t had a freezing issue here in southern CALIFORNIA, however I guess you would put some RV winterizing antifreeze in the tank after every clean out. (Wouldn’t hurt I imagine). I would guess and say treat all waist holding tanks (gray & black) the same.
😂 😂 😂
I put the same heat pad they make for waterbeds under my holding tanks. They are 110vAC but so is the pipe heat tape I have on all my water pipes. I just set the thermostat down to the lowest setting. I leave my tank valves open but then I don’t have an RV toilet. I put a low gpf residential toilet in my rv. I’m stationary for now. I have a marine macerator on my grey tank. I turm on the macerator after a good long shower and empty the grey tank. My washing machine bypasses holding tanks and flushes my sewer hose clean. I use a section of vinyl “C” shaped gutter to support the sewer hose and cover it to protect from sun and snow/ice. I learned that every inch of the sewer hose needed to be supported so there are no low spots to hold anything that could freeze.
Guess I will not be cooking over the fire ever again.
That’s disgusting…Throw in the campfire??? Yikes. Now you have ruined every campfire from here on out for me just thinking your poop paper might have been dumped in my campfire ring.
Use regular paper. When you’re leaving the campsite, empty your back tank, rinse the hoses by next emptying your gray tank. To remove the worry of paper playing havoc with sensors or clogging the tank simply add a bag or two of ice down the toilet to an empty black tank just before you pull out. The ice acts like a macerator inside the tank while being bounced/sloshed while underway. At your next stop or at a legal dump area along your route simply dump the melted ice and remember to put a little fresh water back in the tank to preserve the dump seals.
The ice in the tank has been disproven many times. It doesn’t work!!
I beg to differ. My black tank had been dumped but still showed full. I filled the said tank with ice cubes. Drove 75 miles to the next dump station. The ice melted and sloshed and crashed against the inside of the tank. The liquid now ran brown but with no solids at the next dump. Running water thru the tank now was clear. The sensor showed empty for the first time in a long while.
Ah yes, the giod old geo method + plus add a bag ir two of ice – and of course RV toilet paper and the closely associated shake test.
May as well get done with all the RV urban legends in one fell swoop.
All arrant nonesense.
We find just leaving the tank filled with clean water, it sloshes around enough to clean the sensors. Ice melts pretty quickly sloshing around.
What a Bunch of Lies. NO! RV toilet paper is NOT any better than a quality Brand of T.P. . Here is what the crooks at RV super centers and RV Brands want you to believe: ” If you don’t use our product, you will have you’re Black Water Tank, get plugged up, and the sensors will be messed up.” If that were the case, then why do the very same RV Super Centers and RV Branded Products that sell RV Toilet Paper also recommend using and sell RV Black tank Cleaners, Sensor Cleaners, and Wands to spin clean the tank? I will tell you why PROFITS! They are just trying to separate you from your hard earned CASH. CROOKS! If some National RV store or Brand (Sold @ Walmart), tells you these lies. Then AVOID them, and tell the RV store, or the Brand sold at WalMart, you are NO LONGER doing business with them. Then see how fast all of the LIES stop. Folks, you do NOT need Camco Septic T.P. for you’re RV. Any National Brand that says Septic Safe is OK to use. I have had my Motor-home for 11 years, and no problems using Scott’s 1000 sheet T.P. .
Yes and no. If you are using a gravity fed 3 inch hose for your black tank disposal, you’re right. Bit if your system uses a macerator,, toilet paper that clumps rather than dissolves can potentially jam a macerator impeller. .
I’m a full time rv’er and I use a Flojet macerator pump. I have been using regular charmin ultra with this style pump for over ten years. I have never had a toilet paper related macerator problem.
women’s Products in the toilet???
those big plastic objects also have the potential to jam up macerated blade with no problem.
Just put up sign that says “out of order” – no worry about kind of t p to use!
Do you also use an additive to your black tank?
We buy the Scotts brand 1000 sheet tp also. Been using it for 15 years now without a clog. Never a problem.
Scott paper is best for septic tanks and holding tanks – both RV & boats
Ditto. Cheap and effective.
No woman with any brains would do that.
Don’t flush the toilet paper. Only human waste in the holding tank. Keep a small trash can with lid next to the toilet and empty the trash often.
Go to your local grocery store and pick up each brand of toilet paper and read the labels. See how many you can find that do NOT say “Septic safe” on them. If one brand take s30 seconds longer to break down than another, so what! Are you going to pull up your pants and run outside to dump your tank?
Hang a grocery bag on your cabinet handle , fill with used tp, tie it off and throw away if (when) you notice any odor… use any kind of tp you like….
Yuck. You breathe that mess every time you open the bag. We use the comfortable stuff you don’t poke your fingers through, plenty of water, and a good deodorant and septic tank enzyme between dumps. Never had a problem as long as you take the time to flush the tank out thoroughly when you dump it.
Gross
*Disgusting*
The best solution is not to put toilet paper in the black water tank. With 23 years on the road, I have a lot of experience here. My little trash can (with lid) sits next to the toilet. Recycle grocery bags as the liner. Drop in toilet paper, close lid. Empty it when necessary by opening the lid, removing the plastic bag, tying off and dumping it when you dump the kitchen garbage. No smell ever. The big plus is being able to use SOFT toilet tissue. My body appreciates that as will yours.
In cool weather, I use unscented laundry detergent in the tank to handle the odor, in hot weather, Happy Camper.
We use “Pom” brand TP. It certainly isn’t Charmin, but the price is right. Also, we use drop-in septic tablets. Use more water when you go “number 2”.. Let your tank get almost full. You should notice a different sound as the tank fills. Experience and observation teaches us all a lot about our RV. Always put about 2-3 gallons of water down the black tank and the tablet(s) after dumping the tanks. You may want to put more chemicals in if you are in hot weather. The suggestion to put a bag of ice cubes in is good. Just do it when you are leaving for your next adventure. And don’t drive too fast!
Enjoyed everyone’s comments regarding TP / Black Tanks and such. We have used the RV TP in our Coachman for the past 15 months, full timing, without any issues. We do however, use the “Happy Camper” Black tank additive and would highly recommend it. Friends (who have full timed for a long time) recommended it to us and we would certainly pass along this recommendation. Happy Camper not only helps with the black tank breakdown of product but also with ODOR reduction. Even when the tank is nearing the dump levels . . . ODOR is not an issue at all.
I was looking into this and found a web site that told how to test your tp against the RV stuff. Basically get some different containers and put a sheet or tow in each container and after a given amount of time see which ones were well on their way to being dissolved. Charmin came out the winner.
We use Scott 1000 that’s ‘Septic Safe.’ Used to use the Scott RV brand but the other is easier to find and cheaper.
TP and POOP are organic.. USE a good organic Enzyme product in your Black Tank and your problems will go away… I use Unique RV Digest, it comes in liquid, powder & tablets…It is good stuff…and YES keep your tank valves closed until you are ready to dump, unless you are parked for an extended time you will probably have to dump the gray tank’s…. PS you can use the same stuff in your gray tanks…..
We don’t put any paper in our RV tank. Just like at home we don’t put any paper in the toilet, keeps us from having to pump the septic tank. We put all TP in the trash and plastic bag it. It goes to the dump with the rest of the trash
properly working septic tank will eat toilet paper.. Never had mine pumped in 30 years, and I don’t use any additives at all.
We’ve used the Costco brand paper for years. Never had a problem. Septic safe, and cheaper than other brands.
Members Mark TP from Sam’s Club breaks down very quickly. Don’t waste your money on specialty RV TP.
One time of having to have RV technician remove a clog from our fifth wheel drain pipe cost far more than the small difference in paying for the RV toilet paper over a period of forty years of RVing! We try to use the campground restrooms for bowel movements and only use the RV toilet for urinating.
I agree thats what we use, no problems
We are newbies but are approaching one year as full timers. Our coach has 2 bathrooms. The larger of the bathrooms has a macerator toilet while the other is a standard RV toilet. We have only used Costco’s Kirkland brand 2 ply and septic safe. It has never been a problem. Our black tank has internal sprays so I try to use them after each dump until I see a clear stream. The coach also has a second macerator at the wet bay which I have never used.
I’m sure the toilet paper debate will go on and on and on…
We have been using Kirkland (Costco) brand toilet paper for a lot years in our RV ‘s that we have owned in black water tanks and never have had a problem. Use a bit more water when flushing is the secret as we found it helped when you open black water valve to drain. Use the internal sprayer if you have one or a wand to clean out your tank until the water is cleaner looking and no toilet paper coming out.
Have been camping for years and only had one issue. We developed a pile at the bottom of the black tank directly under the toilet. Our fault of not using enough water after cleaning and emptying tank. We do use dishwasher cleaning liquid between stops. This sloshs around and cleans any leftover solids and cleans the monitoring tips. We buy the cheapest dollar store variety and dump when we get to our next destination. Also great way to clean for before winter storage with a little for thought. Tried ice with no luck.
yes, it will, as people, especially new to RVing, continue to ‘hear’ stories, cliches, and ‘facts’ about ‘how to RV’…. bunk is what it is.
An RV’s holding tank could care less what ‘kind’ of toilet paper you use. It’s simply a ‘box’ that holds water and stuff until you dump it out. Most folks don’t sit for weeks or months at a time before dumping, therefore NONE of this talk really makes any reasonable sense.
-Use plenty of water, flush, dump when full, or sooner….simple.
And, you don’t any ‘chemicals’ either – any chemical would have little time to ‘help’ when you are dumping on a regular basis, anyway. It’s just another waste of money.
-Use plenty of water, flush, dump when full, or sooner….simple.
And, your tank doesn’t ‘care’ if you try to clean it or not, it gets ‘cleaned’ every time you dump!
-Use plenty of water, flush, dump when full, or sooner…simple.
I only speak from experience, rather than conjecture – 85,000 + miles in over 4 years and a LOT of water, flushing, and dumping – a never anything other than ‘normal’ multiply tp, and no chemicals, and no ‘flushing’ of the tank required.
Thanks, so you are one of the culprits that are selfish, only thinking of themselves and screw everyone else attitude.
Because, when you dump and have not used any chemicals you not only are neglecting to maintain your own tank, you are stinking up the park sewer system for anyone camping there.
Just fyi, the chemicals do 3 things; helps break down solid waist, deodorizers, and lubricates and treats all of the seals.
I get why you think all is good. You are always on the move. Therefore having continually slaushing around everything in the tank helping it to break down. However, now that you are in this bad habit, when you stop putting those miles on your rig and have to sit. You no longer have your driving to help you. Without chemicals you are going to be up a sh—y river without a paddle. Good luck with that.
Just a thought, would you like someone to take a dump on your entry stairs and walk away only for you to step in it one night on your way into your RV? I am just guessing your answer is NO, well that’s what you are doing to others as you dump right before you leave. Think about it, KARMA IS A BITCH.
I also used to leave my grey tank open (we both shower every night) and only closed it a day or so before leaving to get enough to flush out the hose good. But no more, some guy next to me didn’t use any deodorizer and the smell that came into the RV reminded me of poop burning detail in Nam. So now I have to keep it closed and empty it every 2 or 3 days.
I wasn’t in Nam, but I was in alot of 3rd world countries and the places I was stationed at still used the cut down petroleum cans and would do the burns twice a day. And YES, I can familiarize your statement. There are some things in life (smells, tastes, looks and sounds) that bring back experiences we have been thru. Some good and some bad and alot of stuff from the sidelines.
Instead of chewing out strangers, why don’t you keep your valves closed like any normal person? A sewer is a sewer – leaving your entire coach open to the sewer fumes coming from dozens of strangers is not very wise, regardless of who uses chemicals You won’t get the entire world to convert to your way of thinking. Ever.
Get over it Greg. Your grey water system has water traps specifically to stop grey tank stink which is often worse than black tank smells, from getting into your living space.
If my dumping waste stinks you out, then you have a problem with your rig.
I’ve been camping for 40 yrs, had 7 motorhomes
and use same toilet paper I use in my house and never use any thing in toilet. The smell when you dump smells the same whether you use anything or not. You would have to put 5 gallons of deodorant to change smell. My motorhomes never smell from holding tk, there is a water seal in toilet same as in my house. Don’t throw money away !!!.
We use Sams toilet paper but I test it by getting a mason jar or any jar put about 1 cup of water and 4 sheets of toilet paper let it sit in jar for a few minutes and just shake the jar paper should start to dissolve.
i used wipes and throw them in the trash
You aren’t embarrassed to have someone use your bathroom and see and smell your used dirty wipes? Wow, not to sanitary.
In 10 years, nobody else has used our bathroom.
But if you ever intend to expand your horizons to the rest of the world, you might have to get used to a big trash can with no lid sitting in the corner , overflowing with heavily used toilet paper. Standard system in many countries
The black tank in our fifth wheel was directly under the toilet with a short, straight pipe leading to it. We used any kind of toilet paper we wanted with no problems and usually chose Charmin. We now have a motorhome, and the black tank position requires an elbow in the pipe leading from the toilet. When using any brand of toilet paper that becomes heavy when wet, e.g. Charmin, MD, Kirkland, it will sit in that elbow and cause a clog. So the problem isn’t the black tank, it’s the plumbing. We use Scott’s 1000.
If you use a good black tank chemical, they can break down clogs. This is one of the reasons to use chemicals.
Have been pulling our Laredo fifth for 13 years and never had a problem with TP. Used the high price stuff the first year, then did a dissolving test with Sam’s Club Member’s Mark TP.. Surprise; the Sam’s TP dissolves better and faster than the high price wipe. No clog problems either!!
I always use Scott’s for RVs. It breaks up nicely to help prevent clogs. With that said any TP that breaks down easily will be ok. I have heard Charmin Ultra breaks down very well also and many people use it. My advice is don’t worry if the TP claims to be RV safe just make sure it breaks down easily.
Those of you whining about smells from others who don’t use chemicals should just close your valves until you are ready to dump – problem solved and no need to grouse about others who have different methods. Why is the ‘my way or the highway’ attitude ok? Who put you in charge?
I don’t park, hook up and open valves. Therefore I never smell anyone else’s waste. Wouldn’t have thought that was a novel idea……
i have owned and lived part-time, full-time and no time in motorhomes most of my life.. as far as toilet paper goes i use what ever brand they happen to have at whatever store i happen to stop at.. i dont buy any rv specific toilet paper or chemicals to use in my tanks.. i will pour a little pine-sol into the tanks if i dont plan on using them for a long period.. if greg or anyone else comes up and craps on my steps… or even starts spouting off about how i have to buy and use certain prouducts to live in his world ……then we will have a PROBLEM thats for sure
GOOD of you, you must be a VET— When people tell us we must do things their way I can get VERY IRATE… Myself…just saying…..
As I read this, one big question comes to mind. Are there RV’s so low that they don’t have traps on each drain or is it just a matter of folks wanting to complain about odor coming into the RV from the drain lines? If you get odors when somebody else flushes, you need to get a little water back in the trap and avoid using any fires until you do! I sense a bunch of long winded whiners!!
Some of the comments are funny, some rather scary. Putting used toilet paper in a bag hanging on the door knob is…argh! We use Kirkland in our trailer. Use lots of water. I can’t imagine bellyaching about everybody else’s sewage stinking. We all have heard the old saying, ” He/she thinks his/her #$%@ doesn’t stink, but his/her 6789s give them away”.
Someone suggested to take your 3inch hose and position so that it forms a trap itself. That would prevent gasses coming in and one to leave the grey water open until you wanted to chase the black water. Seems to make sense?
I use a low gpm residential toilet in my RV. I also use Either Member’s Mark TP or Cottonelle TP. I have a holding tank that I close only when not hooked up to a sewer pipe. When on a sewer pipe, I leave my tank open. I live fulltime in an RV park and I don’t move much. Since junking the lousy RV toilet over 5 years ago, I haven’t had a clogged line or any other problems with the black tank. I even shown a flashlight in the tank when I removed the toilet to tile up under it. At that point it had been used 24/7 for over 3 years. The tank (Valterra ABS Tank with BAFFLES) was completely clean. No “towers of doom”, no clumps of TP. So I don’t think the problem is the TP. The problem is the lousy RV toilets that do not include enough water in usage.
I agree with you. For good measure, I occasionally dump a full water bucket while flushing. Also add a second chemical treatment if hot weather or long emptying happens. I don’t endorse leaving black or gray tanks open.
TP purchased at Sam’s works just fine for me.
case of POM costs approx.20.00.
Secret as previously stated: keep plenty of water in the black water tank.
An employee at SCOTT recently told me regular Scott TP and RV/Septic Tank TP are the same thing. Save money by using the regular stuff. Just don’t use 6-9 feet of it every time.
I’ve sold paper goods for years. I challenge anyone to find a TP in a store that doesn’t say “septic safe” which simply means it WILL DISSOLVE. Some may dissolve quicker than other but will dissolve. One big difference is if the user is a folder or a wadder. Folders use less paper while waders always more. Be a folder, that will help. 👍
We have been using Scotts one-ply for years and have never had a problem;full time friends who attended a huge RV event years ago told us about the recommendation to use Scott one-ply;inexpensive and it works.
Anything single ply will do. Very cheap. $ stores. Buy brand X. Save your money. If it dissolves in your hand while you’re using it, you know for sure it will dissolve in the tank.
We use charmin basic haven’t had a problem yet but I do fill the black water full before dumping.
We have used Pom for several years. Works great. Do put 2-3 gallons water with your choice of chemicals before using. Use more water before and after #2. Be generous with water first few flushes. And yeah, about using no chemicals… we know who you are. Bad, bad.
it’s a shitty deal no matter how you smell it. Do what you think is best for you. Whether it’s Charmin, Scott’s or some other brand just remember to wipe, flush and wash hands. Enjoy your few moments on the throne of peace and tranquility. Happy camping and watch what you eat.
AYou should honor the traditional method of cleaning up. The two-finger method. Saves money, saves space and it’s great for the environment.
You take 2 fingers, reach around and down, then wipe. Afterwords, you soap and water to clean your fingers.
Enjoy the way our early ancestors cleaned up after pooping.
👍
My advice is don’t prove to yourself that you need rv toilet paper. With three women in my family I can pass that on.
We use AngelSoft, we watch Eric, Nomadic Fanatic on youtube and he uses it and has never had an issue. It does actually say Septic Safe on package. It doesn’t feel cheap and actually works well.
So far no clogs. Like they say make sure you have plenty of liquid in the BT. I also add extra water and flush toilet a few times before heading to dump station, or if hooked up just before emptying tanks. I also leave both tanks closed even if we have sewer hookups so I have plenty of grey water to flush my hose when I dump and of course always black first.
Walgreens Drugs brand TP in the 1,000 sheets single ply roll at 50 cents each if you buy multiple rolls actually says on its label “RV Safe”. Have yet to try it as only a weekend warrior and did not use my TT this past year due to some minor health issues so still have some Thetford brand RV TP bought at Camping World to go through as CW gave me some discount coupons from being a Good Sam member. The Thetford TP is not that strong or good so the Walgreens TP very likely no worse and much much cheaper.