Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Toilet Paper - We All Need It, But What Kind Is OK For Your RV?

    OK, it's time to have a serious talk about TP. Toilet paper. RV sanitation is always a touchy subject. Heck, if you watch many RV scenes in movies you'll notice they usually show the disastrous results of your sewage system. Don't believe me? Watch Robin Williams in the film "RV." Yes, it's funny if it's in a movie, not so much if it's real. Don't be afraid of your RV toilet. Use it! If you follow some simple rules and be kind to it, it will give you years of trouble-free service. So, what can you do to make sure everything, umm, comes out OK? Well, a good start would be keeping your RV Black Water tank clean. This is a very important part of getting the full measure of enjoyment from your home on wheels. What you put INTO the black tank is critical to its survival. With the exception of what comes out of you....you should only put TP into that tank. Trouble is....what kind? And Why?


Typica "RV" Toilet Paper
There are quite a few schools of thought on this subject, but they all agree on one point. TP needs to dissolve easily and quickly. OK, TWO points... The quicker and more completely it will break down the easier it will be to get out when you dump the tank. There are many commercially available toilet papers out there and many of them work just fine. How to choose? Well. Let's begin by talking about ply. Single or Double? Well, RV paper comes in both styles from the major manufacturers so that's a start. Personally, I dislike single ply. It's fine if you double it up, but that defeats the idea of single ply! Double ply can be OK as long as it will break down quickly. This gets confusing.

FAIL!!
How to figure it all out? Easy. Do your own tests. Get a piece of the paper in question and drop it into a container of water for a few minutes. Pick up the container and swirl it (maybe a little bit of a shake too!). If the paper is completely broken down to the point it will flow out of the tank through your hose -- Bingo! You are good to go. If, on the other hand, you are left with a semi-solid mass...I wouldn't recommend putting it in your black tank. It will likely clog the tank, collect on the bottom and probably get stuck on your tank sensors giving you false readings.


I tested quite a few brands, both RV and regular store bought. I was VERY surprised at the results. Be Careful! Sometimes a manufacturer will change their paper and what worked in the past might NOT work in the future. Be safe, test each time you buy a new batch. Always use a good amount of water with each flush. I know conservation is important, but a solid mass of dried matter at the bottom of your tank will be very difficult to clean out! With prices of RV toilet paper (and the fact they are not all that comfortable to use!) so high per roll, why not experiment a bit and find one that you'll like using. After all.....it's your bottom, treat it nicely!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

##RVT796

Posted by at

35 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 3, 2017 at 4:45 AM

    Soooo...did you find any non-rv paper that YOU would use?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:13 AM

      Unknown,
      Basically any major brand multi-ply home paper is out. Takes way too long to break down.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. MargaretJune 3, 2017 at 5:54 PM

      Scott 1000 sheets per roll - single ply; breaks down quickly.

      Delete
  2. ChasJune 3, 2017 at 4:50 AM

    We use Northern Quilted 2 Ply TP just like at home. It doesn't dissolve too fast, and certainly Toilet use just before Dumping doesn't dissolve, but with the Black Tank Flusher, we haven't had any problems in 10 years of RVing and the Black Tank Gauges still function partially. Works for us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:14 AM

      Chas,
      Much of your success can be attributed to the flushing you do. I look into my black tank after it's flushed to confirm no solids are left in there. if I see any...I flush again! Or use a wand sprayer.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  3. UnknownJune 3, 2017 at 6:27 AM

    We use the our favorite TP, which is cheaper,thicker,better than any RV TP, we just Don't flush it down our toilet! We have a small covered trash can with the now banned grocery store bags,and we put the TP in there & empty it dally. A can of Lysol under the sink. This works great for us. If you have pets or kids, this shouldn't be gross.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:15 AM

      Unknown,
      Umm... gross. And likely not too sanitary depending on how long it lives in that trash receptacle.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJune 3, 2017 at 7:34 AM

    We installed a bidet seat in our coach and therefore never have a need for toilet paper. Nice warm water rinse, warm air blow dryer, and heated seat. Doesn't get much better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:21 AM

      Anonymous,
      Not much for "roughing it" are you? :)

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  5. PeppercattJune 3, 2017 at 8:07 AM

    Quick dissolve may be fine for you men but I do not appreciate having the TP 'disappear' in my hand as I try to clean up when I pee. If I have to fold it 3 times just to be sure I can wipe, then it is no good to me. Yes I need to be sure the black tank can be cleaned but if I dread using the toilet in the RV because of instant dissolving TP, then why am I in the RV?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:17 AM

      Peppercatt,
      That's why testing is key. I am sure you can find a happy balance between quick dissolving in your tank, but not in your hand!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. RoyJune 4, 2017 at 4:19 PM

      Now you're making sense.

      Delete
  6. UnknownJune 3, 2017 at 8:50 AM

    Due to the rather cramped space around my toilet it is difficult to get clean. I installed a bidet (I have them at home and really like them). Problem solved and no TP used at all. Doesn't take a lot of water either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:18 AM

      Unknown,
      Most American toilet users aren't comfortable with the concept of a bidet. And, even though it doesn't use a lot of water, it does use some. Glad it works for you!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  7. rvgrandmaJune 3, 2017 at 9:36 AM

    We use regular TP but have always only put the TP with feces on it in the toilet (I know people who don't even put that in the tank but in the garbage). The rest all go into the garbage can. This eliminates a lot of the TP issue. I know more RVers that do this than that put all of it in the holding tank.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:19 AM

      rvgrandma,
      Myself, i wouldn't want that in my trash at all. Too many sanitary concerns for my liking. Finding a good paper that breaks down isn't that difficult and makes the process painless.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  8. T'SiriJune 3, 2017 at 11:01 AM

    I put the paper from No. 1 in a twist tied trash bag that also holds my cat's used litter. No 2 paper gets flushed. With TSP treatment, I've never had a paper clog. I use the store brand, Sure Fine. I also use Scotts 1000.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 11:20 AM

      T'Siri,
      Depending on just how much paper is being used, you likely would be OK just flushing both.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  9. impavidJune 3, 2017 at 12:33 PM

    In 42 years of RVing I have never used RV TP. I have never had a problem and the last few trailers had a black tank flush system. I also have not used any chemicals in the last 20 years and the enzymes in the tank seem to be doing a good job as I have no odor. I think having enclosed tanks helps with this. I agree, sanitation requirements are not being met by "storing" your used TP. If you're going to do that why not just let the dog lick the plates and put them back in the cupboard?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM

      impavid,
      I think I might prefer dog licked plates to dirty toilet paper in a bag any day!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  10. Gene and JeanJune 3, 2017 at 2:29 PM

    We use Members Mark TP from Sam's Club both at home and in the RV. It breaks down quickly in water and we have not had any problems with it. BTW, our MH has a macerator pump.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 3:00 PM

      Gene and Jean,
      Macerator pumps have really improved the utility and ease of use for RV sanitation systems!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  11. JASJune 3, 2017 at 3:09 PM

    Sorry wanderman but agree with rvgrandma. Tests were done and Scott's 1000 and angle soft passed the test.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 3, 2017 at 7:22 PM

      JAS,
      You "store" your used toilet paper in the garbage?? If they passed some tests, and I see them dissolve then they are probably OK to use.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 4, 2017 at 8:39 AM

      WE use composting toilet. Love it. Toilet paper goes in Litter Locker. Two Compartments in Locker. Never smell anything and easy to put in garbage.

      Delete
  12. John ConnaughtonJune 4, 2017 at 2:27 PM

    We use Angel Soft and it does fine. I tested it in a jar of water and it seems to breakdown fairly quickly. One trick I do for both my black & grey tanks is fill them all the way (as close to that as I can) just before I dump. Even if I am staying in a park with a sewer hookup, I keep the dump valves shut and dump the tanks periodically, as needed and always as full as I can get them, to get a better flush.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 4, 2017 at 2:53 PM

      John,
      Filling the tanks and letting them dump from full is a GREAT idea. Leave them open at your peril.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  13. RoyJune 4, 2017 at 4:30 PM

    We use the big, soft multi ply from Costco. We haven't used chemical for many years. Why would I pay 4 times the price for something that I would have to fold 4 times just to be able to use?
    NEVER had a problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 4, 2017 at 4:41 PM

      Roy,
      Sounds like a vote for Costco TP!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  14. UnknownJune 4, 2017 at 5:21 PM

    We use Seventh Generation® Recycled Bathroom Tissue - 24 Rolls from Target for $11.99. It is RV save (has the logo) and works great! A lot less money that TP at CW or other camping stores. Now, is it Charmin? No, but it's not John Wayne either! It's actually pretty good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 4, 2017 at 6:25 PM

      Jef,
      What's wrong with a little John Wayne man up anyway?

      I'm with you...civilized comfort. That's why we RV!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  15. moxadoxJune 4, 2017 at 11:04 PM

    Having lived in countries where the sewer systems are described as "delicate," I've picked up the local custom of placing used TP in a specially designated garbage bin, rather than putting it down the toilet. This gets to be habit very quickly, and it saves your holding tank from filling up so quickly while assuring that nothing indigestible goes down there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 5, 2017 at 1:46 PM

      moxadox,
      Like I have said before, I am not too sold on the idea of driving around with a bin full of my used TP.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  16. Greg TregnalJune 5, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    Consumer Reports tests TP. Costco for the home septic system. Scott Extra Soft for the RV; or spend a lot more $ for 2 ply RV TP at Walmart vs the Extra Soft.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The WandermanJune 5, 2017 at 3:28 PM

      Greg,
      Thanks for the tip! I still prefer to do my own final testing. Both in water for break down speed and well, in other places for comfort!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete

Thank you for your comment. Our moderator checks each one to make sure we keep the Spammers away. So the comment will likely not appear immediately.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)