RV compatible toilet paper – is it really a necessity?

Is RV compatible toilet paper a must-have or can you continue using your preferred type? Mark Allen shares insights on RV toilet paper and methods to assess its compatibility with your RV.

Before we explore the need for RV-specific toilet paper, let’s highlight the key distinctions between your household toilet and the one in your RV. Firstly, RV toilets use significantly less water compared to the flush volume in a home toilet.

The abundant water flow in your house not only helps in flushing away the remnants of last night’s meal but also aids in breaking down solids and paper. Additionally, the turbulence during flushing assists in breaking the paper down further.

In an RV, the breakdown process primarily relies on the chemicals in the holding tank. The gentler flushing action also contributes to this breakdown. Both waste and paper transform into liquid form for easy disposal at a dump point or removal from the system, depending on your toilet and tank setup.

Well… Is RV compatible toilet paper recommended?

The simple answer is yes. RV safe toilet paper breaks down much faster than standard toilet paper, reducing the risk of clogging in your RV toilet system. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to abandon your preferred toilet paper. Why? Some non-RV specific brands also break down rapidly despite not being marketed specifically for RV use.

For those with chemical toilets, RV approved toilet paper dissolves quickly and can be easily disposed of at a dump point. For those using composting toilets in their RV, the paper breaks down swiftly in the composting tank.

The primary consideration here is the paper’s breakdown capability. Whether or not the packaging emphasizes “RV” suitability, it’s essential to ensure that the paper is septic- and sewer-safe, fast-dissolving, or biodegradable.

While you may expect RV safe paper to possess these qualities, some other brands offer similar attributes regardless of being recycled or non-recycled.

Time for a toilet paper test

If your chosen toilet paper lacks explicit information, here’s an easy test to determine its RV compatibility:

Take a sealable container, fill it halfway with regular water (without RV chemicals), place a couple of clean tissue sheets inside, and start shaking. Well, shake the container, not yourself!

If the paper begins to disintegrate, it’s likely safe for use in your RV. If it remains intact, avoid using it. Pretty straightforward, isn’t it?

For a good comparison, experiment with various toilet paper brands, recycled vs. non-recycled, and even try the test with facial tissues. You’ll notice that facial tissues usually retain their form, irrespective of how vigorously you shake the container. This highlights the importance of using the appropriate products for the task at hand.

The same caution applies to wet wipes. Despite being labeled as flushable, refrain from using them, as they can cause more harm than good in the long run—especially to your RV’s plumbing.

What’s suitable for flushing down your RV toilet

The rule of thumb for items to avoid flushing down your RV toilet can be summarized simply: If you didn’t eat it, don’t flush it down the toilet.

The price aspect of RV safe toilet paper

As travelers, saving money to extend your journey is always a priority. If you’ve found different toilet paper types at varying prices, feel free to opt for the more economical option, even if it’s not explicitly marketed as RV safe. Just ensure that it’s septic- and sewer-safe and has passed the disintegration test.

Additional recommendations

Due to the limited capacity of an RV toilet tank compared to home systems, consider reducing the amount of toilet paper used (preferably RV safe). To minimize flushing excessive paper, designate a separate bin for paper used for “number ones” only. Dispose of it promptly to prevent lingering odors in the confined space of an RV.

However, if you’re adamant about saving or can’t part with your favorite ultra-soft non-RV compliant roll, ensure to bag and seal the waste appropriately.

Understanding how to operate your RV toilet is crucial. Follow the instructions diligently and use the correct chemicals for both tanks if your system incorporates them (top and bottom tank chemicals differ). While water conservation is important, don’t hesitate to utilize water in the RV system as it aids in the breakdown process and facilitates waste disposal during emptying.

Therefore, proceed confidently with your toilet routine, ensuring a smooth operation without causing any blockages.

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