Do you use special toilet paper that is labeled for use in RVs (or boats)? Or do you simply buy the cheapest brand at your local supermarket? The special RV toilet paper typically costs double or triple what a cheap roll would cost at Walmart or Costco. So what’s your choice?
The survey may take a moment to load, so please stand by.
Do you buy special “RV” toilet paper for your RV bathroom?
Sign up for America's favorite RVing newsletter
The FREE RVtravel.com newsletter is filled with great RV information, advice, and news written by RV experts, delivered right to your inbox. Never any SPAM and we will NEVER sell your information! When you subscribe, you'll get three checklists that every RVer should have as a thank you!
Our most popular articles this week:
- USA debut: Skydream is a trailer George Jetson would love
- The MDC XT12HR OGE is a compact travel trailer to take off-road
- Why isn’t there an I-50 or I-60?
- RVer dumps sewer tank into gas station’s diesel tank. Big time bad news!
- One-of-a-kind, home-built RV could be yours
- The weirdest RV campground rules. Have you encountered these?
- Are these 5 new RV gadgets genius or gimmick?
- RV review: Rockwood Mini Lite 2108RB—Good things in small packages
SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR RV?
Good news! We have more than 3,500 articles in our “RV Maintenance and Repair” category, so we’re confident we can help you solve the problem. In addition, did you know you can search our website using the search bar at the top of every page for keywords or topics that interest you or that you need help with? Yep, we’ve got you covered!
Everything on sale for RVers right now. Yes, right now! Click here.
A Permanent Address for RV Freedom — Full-time RVers trust America’s Mailbox for mail forwarding, residency help, and reliable support from the road.
Comments
Please follow our rules for commenting.
RV holding tanks are just that, they are not septic tanks. In addition to that, nearly all toilet papers on the market today are “Septic Safe” which means they will break down even in a holding tank when there is liquid present. Paying the extra charge for RV specific paper is foolish in my opinion.
I should add that we have had a bidet toilet in our coach for the last two years and therefore no longer need to use paper, but we did for the previous 30 years of RVing without ever having a problem with regular paper.
I have been searching for a bidet for our rv toilet. Where did you get yours? Thank you
Amazon. It was somewhat involved, but I adapted a residential bidet seat to an RV toilet. It has a heated seat, heated rinse, and heated blow drying, as well as user presets. We have them on our toilets at home and decided we just couldn’t live without one in the coach as well. This is the one we use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cotgf0751l0
I installed a Biffy Bidet three years ago. Not real fancy but very effective. We use no TP. We winter in Arizona so freezing is not a problem.
Exactly, your black tank is a Holding Tank and not a Septic Tank. As long as the TP breaks down is the important part.
Personally, I have used Happy Campers for years with mostly Costco TP, or what ever else as long as it’s at least 2 ply. Never had a problem with my holding tanks. Never dump the tanks until they are at least 1/2 to 3/4 full and use plenty of water is crucial.
Lots and lots of water.
Take a couple of squares of your toilet paper and water. Place in a
jar with a lid and shake it. If the paper breaks down, it should be
safe in your holding tank.
Exactly Sandra, I have tested over 30 brands of TP and they are not all equal.
Those that don’t use the special TP have never had a plugged tank. And yes I “washed” it every time I emptied and never let it sit for any extended periods of time. Pay now or Pay later, your choice.
This may seem gross to some but I do not put any paper in the tank. Instead my bathroom contains a small lined basket in which I deposit paper and wipes. A dumpster receives it daily or as needed.
Yes, this is common practice in other countries like Mexico and is a good practice for RVs, IMHO.
Ditto Judy, In a decade of full-timing, we have followed the same practice as you and have had no problem with our black tank or the valves.
This is the same method we do and works
I can’t think of anything more unsanitary! If your holding tank won’t handle TP, you are doing something wrong. IMHO
I use Angle Soft 2 ply. In our decades of RVing, #1 TP goes in the garbage container, dirty #2 goes in the tank. Have never had a problem of getting clogged.
RV paper always and never a clog. We find Walmart the easiest and cheapest to buy.
I have been RVing since 1966, and have always used TP that is septic tank safe with no problem. A word of caution, do not put a liquid detergent in your holding tank, it will build up in the bottom of your holding tank, and make a real mess to clean out.
For 20 years we never bothered with the “thin as onion skin” TP because you end up using more of it to make up for the thinness. But now that we’re retired and boondocking most of the time we’ve switched to the almost see-through “RV” paper to insure no problems. Not sure about the “no problem” aspect during actual use (ahem), but we’ve not had any tank problems.
Everyone has their little secrets on this topic, and so do we . . .
Scott toilet paper [original thin] is great. Have had Charmin get stuck on several occasions. Never had a problem since. Scott is much cheaper than special RV toilet paper.
As a mobile RV Service we see our share of black tank problems. We are starting to see cases of people using the TP cleaning wipes (which are septic safe) being flushed. They don’t desolve as quickly as even regular TP. As regarding regular TP and you want something thicker, Scott’s makes a thicker 1-ply and Aqua-Soft makes a 2-ply. Both can be ordered from Amazon (be sure to use the RV Travel link) also be sure you have enough liquid in your black tank.
Fill bowl 1/3-1/2 with water before use and will have no issues that require lining!
–the septic safe wipes, just like flushable diapers, clog the campground pipes—we do not use any of those items regularly but if we did we would not flush them.
We use Charmin septic safe and never had problems.
I buy RV paper from Walmart, and it is used to line toilet for # 2.
It saves water when flushing, and no debris left in bowl.
Wiping paper is Charmin, and goes in waste basket. When Walmart bag is half full, to the trash, and no smells at this point.
I personally have tested over 30 brands of toilet paper for the RV. I won’t go into the details how I tested but is was consistent, same amount of water, water temperature, number of shakes, time in water etc.
What I have found is just because the TP says it’s septic tank safe doesn’t mean so. I have tested the cheapest TP and the most costly, softest vs hardest.
The main point was how fast and easy does the TP break down. I found TP that was RV are rated, septic tank safe and the home use brands.
I found some TP would disintegrate in just a few minutes into tiny little particles. Other TP was totally intact and did not desolve at all.
For a quick test of your favorite TP, just take 2 square sheets and drop them inside a one quart container with water from your outside spigot (no software) and then give the container 2 shakes and let set for 5 minutes and then shake 2 more times.
What does the TP look like now? is it all clumped together still intact or is it in little tiny pieces?
You want the TP broken up in little tiny pieces so it doesn’t stick to your sensors or clog your dumping valve.
What brand do you use from all of your testing?
Thanks
Scott 1000 septic tank toilet paper. I have used it for years and absolutely no problem. It is cheap and effective. I drive a 31′ motorhome full-tune,
Have used 1 plys for years and never a problem, let the tank get to at least 3/4 before emptying and used the in-tank cleaner.
Been using Angel Soft for 13 years in 4 different rigs, all full timing. Dissolves completely in less than 1 day. Avoid Cottonelle as it contains fibers that don’t break down.
Answered no but use septic tank safe TP, Angel Soft or RV TP from Camping World, Amazon, or WalMart.
About 15 years ago we attended a seminar on black water tanks and toilet paper put on by Camping World. It was a “blind test” and the Costco brand beat out everyone. Have used it exclusively since with no problems.
be careful Costco has changed the paper and it does not dissolve as well as it use to. Always do the “paper in the jar” test to be sure it will dissolve.
AngelSoft, exclusively for many years. First trip only had used RV paper that came with rig. Do not like tissue that dissolves on contact! Men have little issues with tougher paper such as Scott’s, women after certain age cannot tolerate it. We settled on AngelSoft, watch for sales to stock up at home & while traveling, esp sales in tax-free states! Found that the tall, slim 12mega roll=48 reg roll pack sits quite well on the closet side (and stabilizes our Sterilite 3-drawer container) can stack 2, and still hang clothes .
—agree with some who utilize waste baskets for used paper, esp. helpful while boondocking to lessen volume in black tank– everywhere there are trash cans, many places do not have dump facilities! Unsanitary? If you leave it open to air, yes; if you line the basket, then use a second liner bag to close after each use, and discard daily & as needed, being careful to not contaminate while discarding—perfectly sanitary. Still have to wash hands, any way you dispose of paper! And no difference from changing baby diapers and discarding tissue/wipes into trash cans…
This is a misleading poll. I don’t waste money on RV branded TP but do use TP that meets the same “standards” as others have mentioned.
For us all paper goes in a trash sack and disposed into trash containers where ever we are. We do the same at home with our aging septic system and burn trash often.
We’ve used Scott “septic safe” TP for the past 13 years and have never had a problem. It is easy to find at Walmart (etc.) and not expensive.
Scott 1000 works just fine. Been using it for years. Last longer, cost less.
At first we used the special RV stuff, but for the last 10 years have been using whatever breaks down fast. Sam’s Club’s own brand is best. Very soft and disintegrates in a few minutes. And very inexpensive if you can store it it share with friends.
Any butt wipes would go into cheap store brand zip seal sandwich bags and go into the trash can.
We never had any problems.
Now that we have a bidet seat at home, I will definitely put one in our next RV. We just sold our Dutch Star after 12 wonderful years. Kinda sad, but time to downsize.
After doing a 2-ply TP break down test, we found that Camco broke down the fastest with the most complete separation of fibers. Though more expensive, we are happy with this product.
Use Scott 1000 septic safe. Never a problem. The problem is the design of black tank, with a shelf below the toilet valve that fecal matter lays on even with adding much more water to bowl than needed or even recommended by toilet manufacturer. Dumb designs lead to stupid problems.