Camping Toilet Paper

[202Acadia]

I was a non-believer in the need for camper specific toilet paper.......until last week. We were camping beside my family's cabin for the past 2 weeks, using the camper as we normally would. At the end of week 1 I drained my 2/3 full black water tank using my 35 gallon sewer tote, and emptied the contents in the cabin septic tank. There was not a lot of content, but didn't think too much about it, the black tank monitor showed that it was empty. Half way through week 2, the black tank was full. I tried to drain into the sewer tote, but nothing drained out of the camper. I decided to add water to the black tank, filled it, and tried to dump but still nothing would drain from the black tank. My guess is that with the first tote fill I drained out liquid only, with the solids and TP left in the tank. Another week of use added more TP and solids to those from week 1, without adding enough water to keep the contents flowing. (sorry if it is too graphic )

Looking down the toilet I could see the hill of paper, etc that was not moving. I tried connecting the garden hose to the the sewer flush connection to get things flowing, but the only thing that did was fill my black tank until it was 100% full and coming up the neck of the toilet.

My solution was to sacrifice an extra garden hose, snake it up into the black tank and jam it back and forth until thinks started moving. Took a lot longer than I expected and was not pleasant to do. Eventually was able to drain the black tank into the tote.

I expect this issue could have been avoided by:
- towing the camper to the dump station. Would move things around in the black tank enough to allow it to drain fine.
- use more water when flushing (I would have to empty black tank more frequently)
- use less TP (I am outnumbered 4 girls to 1 boy so a lot of TP is used)
- use camper specific TP.

I will spend the extra $$ on some camping TP and hope the issue does not replicate itself

[Diesel Donnie]

We have used Angel Soft septic safe TP for more years than I can remember- We have never had an issue with this product- Any TP marked on the container as being "septic safe" should do as well- We happen to like the texture and price [much cheaper than that sold by rv dealers] of Angel Soft- Your first 3 solutions are certainly right on- JMHO- DD

[mcfarmall]

Take 3 squares of your household TP and put it in a quart mason jar half full of water. Shake well and observe. If the TP is all broken up into little pieces or a slurry then it's ok to use in your RV. If not, try another brand.

[rwilley]

We have used both kinds of TP with the same out come. You have to use enough water to flush and be sparing on the TP. And it helps if your TT doesn't stay in the same spot to long.

[tinlizzie23]

We have used so-called RV paper and single ply Scot Rapid Dissolving, with the same results - no problems. And the Scott is available for a lot less $$ at places like Walmart. In our humble opinions, why waste money if you can get the same results for less ?

[Rob_Fla]

We have also been using Angel Soft for quite sometime and have not had any problems.

[Jaycoshane]

I have used Scott single-ply for years with good results. Secondly, I have never used a tote for anything but gray water. I think it would be hard to adequately clean out the "black" water.

[202Acadia]

The Kirkland TP we used from Costco does say Septic Safe. I tried the dissolve in a sink method and thought it would be fine, but might compare the RV paper vs Costco TP dissolve test to see if there is much difference. I do think it was a lack of water that caused the issue, but if we are relying on the water in the fresh water tank lasting the length of the trip I dont want to flush with too much either (in this case we were hooked up to the cabin water).
This is my first year with the tote, and so far it is working well. The tote does have the connection for a water hose to rinse out the tank, although when emptying it does not seem to get every last drop out of the tank as I can still swish a little bit (very little bit I think) around in the tank. Thanks for the replies!

[RVhiker]

We've uses Scott single ply with zero issues over a dozen years. It's important to make sure your black tank is full or almost full before you dump. Also to add a gallon or two of water after your dump so some water sloshes around as you are driving and breaks up any incipient hills.

[fidalgo66]

I put the new Kirkland tp through the dissolve test, and it easily passed. We will no longer be buying the more expensive RV type, and are now using Kirkland.

[Denise]

We use Costco Kirkland tp (three years now). We do flush extra water down after each use and empty after 2/3 full. When traveling, our tank is "empty" with a few gallons of water, some ice (about every third or fourth trip), and a slight squeeze of dishwash liquid.

[Seann45]

2X on the Kirkland brand.. I have been using that for 6 years now.. and as long as it is in the tank for 2 days it is dissolved...

[Durasam]

Only put #2 paper in the toilet. Put #1 paper in the waste basket and empty daily. Problem solved.

[clutch]

Angel Soft and use lots of water. We spend 6 months in the same spot every year with no problems. After emptying the tank we always add about 5 gal of water.

[202Acadia]

Volume of water was my issue. Last trip out, wanting to conserve my fresh water, I dumped 5 gallons of water from the campground hydrant in the toilet and the black tank drained like a charm.

[clutch]

Yup, it is impossible to use too much water.

[CampRock]

We had the same issue....we tried every brand of RV specific TP to all the single ply brands on the market...stiill, same issues, we also noticed that the solids did not break down as they should...so, we made a new rule, and that is...no tp down the toilet! I put a small waste basket in the bathroom with plastic bags in it, everytime you "go" you put all the TP in the bag and then when you are done, you tie it up with a knot at the top and put it in the big garbage outside. This makes for the best dump experience because the chemicals are WORKING and specifically I mean on the solids...so now when we dump it is free flowing, all liquids.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

Take 3 squares of your household TP and put it in a quart mason jar half full of water. Shake well and observe. If the TP is all broken up into little pieces or a slurry then it's ok to use in your RV. If not, try another brand.

For the biggest shock in your life do the same with RV TP. It is some of worst breaking up stuff I have ever seen. I have been using the Kirkland (Costco) brand in my RV for years now with no problems ... even when I had a Gal pal staying in the RV for a week and she used 3 rolls in the one week... it was all still dissolved.

[norty1]

I don't want to camp if I had to go thru that routine. Nothing personal but the problem is not the paper.

[exjay1]

We just buy a lot of the camping TP when its on sale/special at CW or walmart RV isle. I rather enjoy my camping experience rather than risk having to deal with a clogged/backed up BW tank. just my opinion..