Toilet maintenance question (newbie alert)

[jornvango]

We just got our '95 Sovereign (21ft) last week. We took it out last weekend on its first (test) trip and all went well.
A question that came up is: the manual mentions "biodegradable" toilet paper. Is this the same as regular "septic system" safe toilet paper?

Also, wondering if we can put bleach in the toilet for cleaning purposes?

[dkrug]

It is a special toilet paper. Look at a camping store or at a Walmart in the camping section. Regular t.p. can clog your system. I wouldn't use bleach as it may harm any plastic or rubber seals.

[Bill M.]

Yes, you need a dissovable toilet paper. Yoy also probably need the blue chemicals to control the odors. We use the dry powder packs from Walmart. Black water systems work best if you dump every few days rather than to just leave the black valve open when you are hooked up. Doubt if you will really need to use bleach. The toilet paper is a big deal when it clogs your valve.

[dznf0g]

I have used regular TP in 2 trailers for 20 years. NEVER had a clog or any issue of any type. Secret is in water to "solids" ratio. IMO, this requirement is all about marketing. That said, I do not buy the triple ply, softer and puffier than a goose down quilt stuff.

[dkrug]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I have used regular TP in 2 trailers for 20 years. NEVER had a clog or any issue of any type. Secret is in water to "solids" ratio. IMO, this requirement is all about marketing. That said, I do not buy the triple ply, softer and puffier than a goose down quilt stuff.

You have been luckier than we were. Our first AS (1977 model) was a huge learning curve. We learned how yucky a clog is.

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I have used regular TP in 2 trailers for 20 years. NEVER had a clog or any issue of any type. Secret is in water to "solids" ratio. IMO, this requirement is all about marketing. That said, I do not buy the triple ply, softer and puffier than a goose down quilt stuff.

Most cheap TP at Walmart or elsewhere comes apart when it gets wet. We have used such paper in both trailers for years, and in our houseboat for 25 years without any problem. The houseboat had a recirculating Thetford that got pumped through a two inch hose into a 70 gallon holding tank, then pumped out at the dock.

I agree, the big "secret" (no secret anymore) is to use lots of water. Without water, no TP will degrade and flow out when you dump.

That's what we do.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I have used regular TP in 2 trailers for 20 years. NEVER had a clog or any issue of any type. Secret is in water to "solids" ratio. IMO, this requirement is all about marketing. That said, I do not buy the triple ply, softer and puffier than a goose down quilt stuff.

I agree completely, nothing special is needed other than to generally stay away from the super "soft and quilted" types. 34 years of doing that has worked for me.

If in doubt, test your TP this way: Put two sheets in an old large clean quart jar, fill it half full water, shake it up. If it goes to pulp quickly, use it. If not try another brand.

[CanoeStream]

Set your favorite soft plush TP in a pan of water. It probably won't dissolve very fast. Set some Scotts One-Ply in water. Whoosh! Turns to mush very quickly. This is what you want. You don't need to chase around town to find RV paper in my opinion. [Thanks to thecatsandi for pointing out how well the Scotts dissolves. SYDTR Michelle.]

[Alumaholic]

I have found the Thetford, formaldehyde-based (banned in California)*, holding-tank additive to be much better than the "green" alternatives. After each black-water dump, I add 8 ounces to the holding tank, followed by two full toilet bowls of water.
To lubricate your holding-tank valves, there is a different Thetford additive that may be used in both your gray-water and black-water tanks once a year.
*If it's banned in CA, it must be good.

[mefly2]

No special paper here ... dissolves almost instantly any more.

[n2916s]

Cottonelle single ply. Holds together and works well until it hits the tank where it dissolves almost instantly.

The use of formaldehyde based black tank treatments is what caused Florida to close all the rest stop dump stations -- almost all had septic fields that relied on bacterial action to process solids. The formaldehyde products are virulently anti-bacterial so they caused havoc with those facilities. The State decided that they preferred controlling what went into their system and the RV community would just have to do without.

Not to mention it is carcinogenic.

The bacterial/enzymatic products (Pure Power and Roebic are good examples) have worked fine for me over the years and are harmless to man, beast and septic systems.

Lots of water, dump whenever the opportunity arises and carry on!

Mike

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by n2916s

Cottonelle single ply. Holds together and works well until it hits the tank where it dissolves almost instantly.

The use of formaldehyde based black tank treatments is what caused Florida to close all the rest stop dump stations -- almost all had septic fields that relied on bacterial action to process solids. The formaldehyde products are virulently anti-bacterial so they caused havoc with those facilities. The State decided that they preferred controlling what went into their system and the RV community would just have to do without.

Not to mention it is carcinogenic.

The bacterial/enzymatic products (Pure Power and Roebic are good examples) have worked fine for me over the years and are harmless to man, beast and septic systems.

Lots of water, dump whenever the opportunity arises and carry on!

Mike

Maybe, but they are ineffective in odor control and (imo, less than effective in any kind of dissolving action) until that particular industry provides an effective alternative, I use the blue stuff. I've tried many of the alternatives, only to find myself back with Thetford "blue".

[Alumaholic]

Amen brother, Ain't it great.
Anti-bacterial is the whole point.
Your black-water holding tank isn't a septic system, it's a holding tank.

[macofpei]

One thing you must never do is put Kleenex in your toilet. This will clog your black tank faster than you can blow your knows. I learned this the hard way.

[daymonjones]

After my Dad got a bath of sewage trying to remove a clog in his Winnebago 25 years ago, we went to the country boy system. Paper never gets put down the hole, it gets put in a trashcan. Today, with Wal-Mart plastic bags, I line a small waste can with about 30 of them. After each use, put the paper in the Wal-Mart bag, tie up the bag and toss in the trash.

I have two dogs, and pick up after them when they go "potty", and that is way more disgusting.

No clogs.

[ROBERT CROSS]

1/4 cup Dawn or equivalent, down the hole once in awhile instead of the bleach works well for us.
Same single ply paper we use in the house.

Bob