TP: RV specific, or any will do?

snlsmith · 03-30-2020, 08:21 PM

This weekend we were just about out of TP, down to the last 1/4 of the last roll. Swung by WalMart, and of course they were all out of toilet paper, including the RV stuff. I remembered there was a Camping World nearby in Denton, TX. Checked the web site to see when they closed (8pm) so headed on up there. They were closed for a deep clean, but the manager hooked us up with 4 rolls. While waiting, I was speaking with an older gentleman who was there for a gas line. I mentioned why we were there and he said he just uses regular TP and has been for 15+ years of RVing with no issues.

Curiously, what say you fellow RVers?

DiverRick · 03-30-2020, 11:16 PM

Somewhere I was reminded that it doesn't matter what the label said, it was whether or not the TP "broke up" well. Better for the RV tank and also important for things like septic tanks as well.
With that in mind I learned of a demonstrarion where you put a square or two of TP into a small jar of water. Say a peanut butter sized container.

Then, leave it in there a few moments and then shake the jar somewhat vigorously. Within seconds, the piece of TP will disintegrate OR it will still be in there mostly intact.

Needless to say RV rated TP and septic tank friendly paper performed well. That is to say ir broke up well. However big brand names like Charman did NOT.

To my surprise and delight, Costco house brand (the cheapest I know of) did in fact break up and dissolve as well as, if not better than, the RV rolls at MUCH less the cost.
So, ever since then I avoid the special RV rolls and save lots using the Costco brand.

Experiment yourselves as paper types vary by area but I think doing this quick and easy test will dictate which TP to buy in your area!

**LJAZ** · 03-31-2020, 09:50 AM

I use regular TP. The house is on septic and I use plain old charmin from Costco with no problems. Just had the tank pumped after 10+ years and no issues so I see no need to get 'special' septic tank friendly TP.

I also empty the black tank after every trip so it's not in there very long. At any rate if it's in a campground holding tank or a septic tank they eventually get pumped out and the contents goes to the municipal wastewater treatment plant anyway.

Use whatever you're most comfortable with, but for me it's regular TP.

team dougherty · 04-02-2020, 05:45 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCdXandlLU

sherrb1158 · 04-05-2020, 05:30 PM

It was recommended to me by several seasoned campers that if you use the "Happy Camper Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment", an enzyme based powder, that you can use any toilet paper. I've been using it for five years now and I've never had any issues and I never get any odor from my black or grey tanks, even after not using for over a month. I much prefer the softer "non-RV" paper, it's obviously more readily available and it's really easy to use. Now I don't have the messy chore of using a funnel to refill the pre-measured bottles of the liquid stuff from the big refill bottle either.

runner421 · 04-26-2020, 07:28 AM

I've been camping with the same camper for 8 years now. Use Charmin Ultra Strong because it's way better that tissue paper that dissolves from the moisture in your hands (okay, a little exaggeration here.) But-I don't think it makes any difference as long as you follow good black tank maintenance. When you're hooked up to water and sewer, use plenty of water when flushing and don't keep the sewer drains open. Always open black water first, then the gray water to flush out your stinky slinky hose from those TP chunks. When dry camping, use your favorite tank treatment. After dry camping, on the way to empty tanks, add whatever whatever water you can to the black tank-let it slosh on the way and it should empty just fine. That has worked for me. My two cents on expensive chemicals is they're okay if you're dry camping a long time and let the treatment work and breakdown the solids. Otherwise a deodorizer works just as good. Let the debate begin.

sherrb1158 · 05-03-2020, 07:57 PM

I'm just going to clarify that "Happy Camper" enzyme is much less expensive than the liquid stuff, much easier to use ... and in the heat of Texas, well, it eliminates all odor that I didn't expect to have from the grey tank on a four day trip with the "blue/green" liquid stuff ... but DID happen. The stuff is awesome and the enzymes eat paper until you can't even detect it coming out of a "clear check" section of your waste dump pipe.

I only camp one or two weekends a month, but one of the big bins of "Happy Camper" lasts me almost a year .... and I don't have to worry when I can't camp ... like with this stupid "Covid-19" scare. I put it in my grey and black tanks three months ago and my camper smells clean and fresh without being used that whole time.

Just say'in .... my experience. Take care and happy camping! Barbara. ; -)))