Living in an RV requires a few changes to the standard ways of doing things most of us have grown accustomed. One of those is using the toilet.
Septic systems in RVs are more delicate than those in traditional homes; Pipes are more easily clogged, black tanks get backed up, and no one wants to deal with that kind of problem. In order to keep toilet issues at bay, RVs require a specialty bathroom item: Quick dissolving toilet paper.
Here we’ll give you low down on RV waste systems, and why quick dissolving toilet paper is a must-have for RVers.
Why Quick Dissolving TP is Necessary for RVs
RV sewage systems are different from traditional home toilets, so a little extra care is needed to keep the system functioning optimally, and that extends to the kind of toilet paper used.
RVs need to use quick dissolving toilet paper, so as it moves through your RV’s septic system, the paper doesn’t cause blockages in the pipes.
Unfortunately, quick dissolving toilet paper does come at a higher price point than traditional TP. However, good maintenance now- and shelling out a few extra dollars- can end up saving you headaches and repair costs later down the road.
Understanding Your RV’s Tank Systems Onboard
Your RV plumbing system is made up of three tanks:
- Freshwater Tank
- Grey Tank
- Black Tank
Freshwater Tank
Freshwater tanks contain clean water on board your RV; Providing water for drinking, showering, and cleaning dishes.
To fill this tank, you’ll need to connect your hose to city water connection, refill at a dump station, or borrow a hose from friends or family members.
Grey Tank
When fresh water goes down the sink or shower drain, it empties into a grey tank. This is dirtied water, stored until the tank gets filled, and then need to be emptied at a proper dump station.
The grey tank will have a mixture of food particles, soap, shampoo and other bits, but nothing that should cause any blockages. Just make sure to remove anything that might cause a blockage, like large pieces of food left on a plate, before sending it down the drain.
Black Tank
Each time you flush your RV toilet, the waste empties into the black tank. Tanks are typically between 20 to 40 gallons, and depending on how frequently you use the bathroom and the size of the tank, expect to visit the dump station at least once a month.
Although most standard RVs come with flush toilets, they use much less water than traditional toilets. This is one reason why quick dissolving toilet paper is vital to a healthy septic system: Regular toilet paper will stick to and block pipes, impeding more waste from reaching the black tank, and making dumping difficult.
What Happens If You Use Regular Toilet Paper
RV sewage systems can’t entirely deal with regular toilet paper. The main issue being its inability to dissolve quickly. This is why most RV-safe toilet paper is one-ply. Two-layers in traditional toilet paper take longer to disintegrate in water. Traditional TP can easily clog up the pipes and sewage tank.
If you insist on trying regular toilet paper in you RV toilet, there’s a simple test you can try to ensure it won’t cause blockages:
1. Fill a clear glass with water
2. Drop in a few sheets of toilet paper
3. Cover the glass and shake vigorously twice
4. Open the container and look at the toilet paper particles
If you find large toilet paper pieces, you probably want to use that in your RV’s toilet. Don’t shake the glass more than twice as the excessive force will cause almost any toilet paper to dissolve, altering the test’s results.
What Happens If You Use Too Much Toilet Paper?
Using too much toilet paper is never a good idea for your RV’s sewage system. The more TP you use, the longer it will take to dissolve. If you’re using regular toilet paper, you might want to put on the brakes: Regular toilet paper significantly increases your risk of clogging your toilet.
However, even with RV-safe toilet paper, too much could still result in a clogged black tank. Clearing up the pipes to get things flowing again is not a pretty process. So, avoid using too much TP at one time- regardless if it’s RV or regular toilet paper.
Popular RV Toilet Paper Choices
With so many choices on the market, choosing the right one could be a hassle. Here are a few top RV toilet paper brands you could consider:
Camco RV and Boat Toilet Paper
Suitable for RVs, boats, buses, and portable toilets, Camco TP is clog resistant.
Pros
- Low Cost
- Clog Resistant
- Versatile
Con
Small size pack only
Thetford Aqua-Soft Marine/RV Toilet Paper
Thetford Marine and RV-safe toilet paper is super-absorbent two-ply, and clog-free. Its fast-dissolving, easy flushing feature makes it an excellent choice for RVs.
Pros
- Two-ply
- Absorbent
- Versatile
Con
- More expensive than regular toilet paper
SECRET WEAPON: Portable Bidet
If you’re thinking of skipping toilet paper altogether, then a portable bidet might be the solution for you. A portable bidet is an easy-to-use device that doesn’t require installation.
Here are some of the best reasons to use a portable bidet:
- It’s cheap. Get out your calculator and try to sum up the amount of money you spend on toilet paper monthly. It really adds up after a while! However, you could find portable bidets that cost under $30. That’s significantly cheaper than what you would typically spend buying toilet paper.
- It cleans you better. Let’s face it: Toilet paper doesn’t get the job exceptionally done. No matter how much you wipe, particles are left behind. The water spray from a portable bidet is sure to clean you better than TP or wipes.
- It’s eco-friendly. We flush thousands of trees down the toilet daily. If you’re looking for a way to have a lower footprint, switching to a portable bidet can help.
- It lowers the risk of clogging your black tank. You won’t need to bother about toilet paper not dissolving. The rush of water from the portable bidet cleans you up without adding to the solid waste.
RV Chemical Treatment
Your RV black tank will need routine chemical treatments added, if you don’t want your RV smelling like a sewer. Unlike a traditional toilet, whatever you flush down your RV’s toilet doesn’t have too far to go. It’s not unusual for the smell to rise from your black tank, through the bathroom, and into your camper.
Toilet paper and the waste in the black tank, needs a little help breaking down. So, beyond the right kind of paper, you’ll also need to use chemical treatment in the black tank. These must-have chemicals:
- Breakdown waste into liquid
- Eliminates odors
Chemical treatments come in powder form, pods, and liquid. Make sure to avoid formaldehyde-based options: The are toxic and require special care to handle. Formaldehyde-based RV treatment eliminates bacteria well, but they are generally unsafe.
Consider buying only formaldehyde-free chemical treatments.
Final Thoughts
To ensure your RV toilet keeps functioning correctly, and to prevent toilet mishaps, make sure to use the correct toilet paper.
RV toilet paper is best to prevent blockages and helps avoid some messy problems down the road. But if you prefer to opt-out of toilet paper usage all together, a portable bidet in your RV is a great option.