Visit our Popular Forums

DuncanK1 · 06-04-2015, 08:28 AM

Apologies - down to basics here!

I'm a boat captain and I've had my fill of blocked toilets. Some boat owners in Europe go as far as demanding everyone use a bin for papers (yuk).

Now I have an Airstream I'm wondering about such practicalities. Does everyone use the specialized paper like Thetford Quick Dissolve RV Toilet Paper or is regular paper just fine?

KJRitchie · 06-04-2015, 08:31 AM

Angel Soft breaks down easily and is 2 ply.

Put some in a bottle of water and shake it and it breaks up fast.

Kelvin

batman · 06-04-2015, 08:47 AM

Angel Soft 2ply double rolls, every day.

Mrjkq · 06-04-2015, 08:56 AM

Using single ply or angel soft 2 ply will insure no trouble from TP. Keep your black & Gray drains closed all the time until ready to dump & no solids will build up in your tanks.

AWCHIEF · 06-04-2015, 09:09 AM

No reason to buy the high priced packages marketed for RV use. Any brand on your grocery store shelf marked "safe for septic tanks" will work just fine.

**moosetags** · 06-04-2015, 09:26 AM

After an early toilet paper issue with Old Lucy, I went to the Camco 2 ply RV toilet paper. The RV stuff is pretty expensive at $4.64 for a four pack at Wal-Mart. I think that I will get some of the Angel Soft and give it the "dissolve in water" test.

Admittedly, I'm a bit gun shy after my early experience with non-RV toilet paper.

Brian

cwf · 06-04-2015, 09:48 AM

Well, please do NOT flush the "flushable" ones. Even in the public systems they are causing huge issues. So, if dissolves easily, ok for RV. Make sure you have plenty of water in the black tank to handle the "flow" needed to empty the tank... Rinse at least twice...

shilgemann · 06-04-2015, 10:42 AM

There's a test done on the fitrv.com site. RV Toilet Paper Test from The Fit RV - now with children! He also tests black tank myths as well as other rv related topics. informative site.

DaveFL · 06-04-2015, 10:49 AM

I remember when candy bars were bigger bars, they are doing the same to TP rolls, have you noticed it doesn't fill the bar on holders. Maybe they are trying to help you cut back on amount used and less problems with holding tanks

CG's have garbage, recycling and even specialty bins for propane tanks and Aluminum cans but no hazardous waste containers.
For Gulf Coast Oil filter users you will not fill the space with the new narrow width size rolls.

Gene · 06-04-2015, 10:51 AM

We've used RV and regular paper. Either seem to work about the same, but I backflush the system regularly and that gets everything out, dissolved or not. I don't think the RV paper is worth it—it doesn't seem to dissolve any differently than regular paper. Using a Flush King for backflushing means you can see what comes out (always a joy) and I don't see a difference.

Gene

TerraYacht · 06-04-2015, 11:12 AM

I have a small clear extension on by tank discharge into the Sewer Solution and use any of the "safe for septic system" brands from the market. I will take Kelvin's suggestion and do a jar of water test in the future.

As Gene noted, the clear section provides an inspection port so I can see what my tank sprayer is, ahem, flushing out of the tank. Some paper is still kind of intact but wispy, and have not had any clogs...yet,

paiceman · 06-04-2015, 11:37 AM

Only use RV paper. Have used others, but as Terra does I use a clear section on the dump hose so I can monitor what is happening. When I "tested" the papers and used septic safe toilet paper from Walmart, much of it was still in tact after four days. When dumping the RV paper, most of it has already been dissolved after the same period. Not a scientific study but convinced me as I do not want a clog of any kind.

Silver Otter · 06-07-2015, 11:46 AM

Hmm . . . and interesting, if somewhat yukky. Good to know. We've used regular house TP for the past three years and don't seem to have a problem (at least that I know of). The Sewer Solution is a great help, I'm fairly certain. I appreciate Brian's post and will try both of those brands.

Lumatic · 06-07-2015, 12:05 PM

Walgreens "Big Roll"

gandttimes · 06-07-2015, 12:52 PM

Costco Kirklands. Never had a problem. Watched a demo at an RV show in Penticton and it out dissolved the specialty products.

George

Foiled Again · 06-07-2015, 12:53 PM

I'm NOT a fanatic about getting a black tank pristine, seeing that the next use is only hours away; on the other hand, I don't want buildup that keeps building UP.

"RV paper degrades quickly" - Great. Does that mean before it drops from your hand? Some seems to. Scott's used to be highly recommended but it's single ply and YUCK, talk about "break on through to the other side".

I use any cheap stuff - usually Angel Soft

I also drain my black tank and clean it before traveling, then add 2 gallons of water, a bit of fabric softener (or creme rinse works too) and drive to my next scheduled shop. Ordinary agitation is more effective than any amount of low pressure rinsing, and ordinary agitation will break up "leftovers" whether paper or biologic.

The real problem is mistakenly dropping anything ELSE down the tank. There are a few hilarious stories about glasses, forks, false teeth, etc. but one of the worst? I met a guy who was trying to sell an old Argosy his college aged son had lived in for years. Seems his son dated a lot and frequently brought ladies home to the Argy. Dad was getting ready to drop the black tank because weeks of flushing still hadn't cleared all of the latex articles from the tank. (How did this mental giant graduate?) Needless to say there are some circumstances where a Sewer Solution isn't viable.

Gene · 06-09-2015, 10:13 AM

I'd forgotten the fork that fell into the toilet last year, or was it the year before? I was emptying a tub full of dishwater when we were boondocking into the black tank when a fork left in the bottom of the tub appeared. Surprised, I couldn't move fast enough. I used a grabber, but couldn't find it. I should have made the perp reach down in there—she has long arms. The fork is still there because it hasn't shown up anywhere else.

Gene

Lumatic · 06-09-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

I'd forgotten the fork that fell into the toilet last year, or was it the year before? I was emptying a tub full of dishwater when we were boondocking into the black tank when a fork left in the bottom of the tub appeared. Surprised, I couldn't move fast enough. I used a grabber, but couldn't find it. I should have made the perp reach down in there—she has long arms. The fork is still there because it hasn't shown up anywhere else.

Gene

A fork could be cleaned up and used again, but how about a toothbrush?

TinShack · 06-09-2015, 02:49 PM

Scott 1000 TP works for us. We use it at home with my septic system and in the trailer. Been using it in the trailer for 20 years and never a problem. It's pretty much dissolved after a day or two. It is only one ply though, so if you want two ply, fold the piece in half.

jdalrymple · 06-09-2015, 03:06 PM

Unlike boats, there is really not any plumbing involved with an RV toilet.

Waste simply falls into the black tank. The biggest issue is adding enough liquid to the mess to make a good flow when emptying the tank.

I suppose one could simply drink a lot, and I do, but I also simply run a bowl of water and dump it in several times a day.

We have never had a problem, no matter what paper we choose.

Regards,

JD