How important is it to use RV-specific toilet paper?

[charliebravo]

DH and I are debating the necessity of RV-specific TP vs the regular (not-so-plush) kind.

What do you think, is it worth the money? Will using regular TP doom our black tank?

[North of 49°]

We've always used regular TP without any issues -- except one. Early in our RVing career, we accidentally used triple ply. It didn't break down as well as regular two ply, and came out in clumps during dumping. The tank still drained, but it wasn't very pleasant.

You could try the "shake test" with your chosen toilet paper. Put a couple of squares in a jar with some water and shake it. If the TP dissolves into almost nothing, then it should be good for RV use. "They" recommend RV specific TP so it breaks down faster and doesn't stick to the sensors in the black tank. We never had that problem in the ten years we owned our old hybrid.

[oldmanAZ]

Here's a link for testing TP to be RV safe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDLXXRVe2pc

Can the poll be changed to account for those using 'tested' but not RV specific TP?

[charliebravo]

I can't figure out how to update the polling answers. Help!

[RVhiker]

Scott single ply. No issues for 15 years.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

Scott single ply. No issues for 15 years.

Cool! No tissue issues!

[Rotocleaner1]

Scotts 1000. Never a problem.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Cool! No tissue issues!

Yup!

Murff

[edatlanta]

Northern quilted 2-ply here. Full time for 5 years no issues. I do use plenty of water however and follow each flush with another flush of nothing but water.

Works for me.

[Camper_bob]

Quilted Northern Ultra Soft here.

https://youtu.be/-twQoVcZTaw

We find it at Home Depot. We used the RV specific TP that they gave us when we bought the unit, and DW said we would not replace it. So I was tasked with finding something else. We've been using this stuff for a few months, and no problems so far.

You know what they say about a happy wife!

Edit: I accidentally voted wrong in the poll. I said "would use regular in a pinch" I thought it said "would use RV TP in a pinch". So I guess I'm a regular TP user all the time now...

[Snake Plissken]

Originally Posted by charliebravo

I can't figure out how to update the polling answers. Help!

I added it for you

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Snake Plissken

I added it for you

Thanks! I voted!

[Seann45]

Kirkland (Costco) TP is septic safe so it is also good for RV use.. been using it for over 10 years now
Never ever will I ever use RV specific sand paper again..

[wags999]

The test with shaking the paper, only works IF you are moving daily. If you are stationary at a campground for a few days, you get no agitation, and, the paper will not dissolve as the test indicates. Working in campgrounds I can attest to blocked lines, valves etc. Also be sure to use your black tank spray system if you have one. We use RV paper all the time, and I have seen on my own tank, which we empty when full, have paper flushed out whole, several minutes after the tank appeared to be "empty". I start the flush system when I open the black value and leave it on until it runs "clean", then I close the value and allow water to accumulate.. after several minutes I again open the valve and release the "clean" water...only to have whole paper globs come out with the "clean water". Better safe than sorry. An RV is not the same as a septic tank, in which the paper has time in order to break down. JMHO

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by wags999

The test with shaking the paper, only works IF you are moving daily. If you are stationary at a campground for a few days, you get no agitation, and, the paper will not dissolve as the test indicates. Working in campgrounds I can attest to blocked lines, valves etc. Also be sure to use your black tank spray system if you have one. We use RV paper all the time, and I have seen on my own tank, which we empty when full, have paper flushed out whole, several minutes after the tank appeared to be "empty". I start the flush system when I open the black value and leave it on until it runs "clean", then I close the value and allow water to accumulate.. after several minutes I again open the valve and release the "clean" water...only to have whole paper globs come out with the "clean water". Better safe than sorry. An RV is not the same as a septic tank, in which the paper has time in order to break down. JMHO

+1 to most all of this.

As far as agitation goes for testing purposes, you definitely need to be careful with how you test it. When I test paper, I fold it up (like I do when I'm using it) and drop it in the jar. I give it one gentle shake to simulate the paper dropping into the tank. Then I let it sit for 6-12 hours and give the jar one or two more shakes (not too violent, more of a "whooshing") to simulate the tank being filled and then drained, and then being hit with my tank sprayer and the tank filled and drained again. I follow the same process wags does for my tank dump and flush.

I think the test can be misleading if you're standing there shaking the jar; that's not what happens in a typical weekend in your tank unless you're driving around all the time. But I think there is a lot of agitation in the tank when I'm going through my dump and flush procedure, certainly enough to break up all but the most stout TP.

I tested the stuff I use at home (I'm on septic, so it's Septic safe store brand, soft and strong) and it will not be making it into the RV; it hardly broke down at all and took significant agitation after 12 hrs to break up at all.

[GrayHawk51]

Originally Posted by charliebravo

dh and i are debating the necessity of rv-specific tp vs the regular (not-so-plush) kind.

What do you think, is it worth the money? Will using regular tp doom our black tank?

--------------------------------------

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmlkQ8fonMA

[ALJO]

Used regular TP for over 40 years in RV's, never had any problems. Keep always enough liquid in the black tank. Never had problems with the black tank period!

[UPCamper]

The thing about TP in the RV is that you will not have problems until one day you do. It's one of those thing that's slowly creates paper mâché sculptures in your black tank until one day when it's just too much. It's not like you will have trouble dumping on a regular basis. In any case to each their own. We don't use the toilet to the "full" capacity. Only número uno. And if any tissue is used we just throw it away. So we use whatever the DW wants. It may seem wierd to some but I will never have issues and I don't require chemicals. If it were me though, I'd recommend RV compliant TP.

UPC

[Kykids]

I'm with UPC, I just throw the toilet paper away and don't flush it. So I use any kind and don't worry about having issues.

[SouthCo]

We use the same Angel Soft in the camper that we use in the house.... No issues...