What is RV Toilet Paper?
RV toilet paper is a specially designed toilet paper that is rapid-dissolving, usually biodegradable, and is made specifically to be RV safe.
There’s nothing more stressful than a clogged black tank. It can be a lot of work to fix and when there’s a long line of RVs waiting to dump after you it can feel even more stressful.
Any RV or travel trailer dealer will tell you that RV toilet paper is the only way to go. But the question is always asked. Is RV toilet paper necessary? RV toilet paper can be expensive and it’s not always readily available in regular stores.
Some people say RV toilet paper is the only way to go. Others say just plain septic safe toilet paper works fine for them.
I’ve tried both kinds and my opinion is that there are certain brands of septic safe and biodegradable toilet papers that work just as good as RV toilet paper, or good enough at least.
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You can test toilet paper on your own by placing it in water and seeing how long it takes to dissolve.
There are a lot of good videos people have made testing different brands. My suggestion would be to buy some RV toilet paper and then some septic safe toilet paper that you like and test them side by side. You may be surprised by the results.
In this review I’ve decided that the most helpful way to go is to list the best RV toilet paper first, then list some of the best fast-dissolving toilet paper that I’ve found works great in an RV septic system.
Softness is also a factor and just because your RV black tank is more sensitive than a regular septic system that doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort.
Rapid dissolving RV toilet paper can be a little softer than normal septic safe toilet paper. It’s something to think about before you make a decision.
Best RV Specific TP
Best Regular TP for RV
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The Best RV Toilet Paper Reviews & Info
1. Thetford Aqua-Soft RV Toilet Paper
You’ve probably heard of Thetford if you’ve been in or own an RV or camper trailer. They are one of the leading makers of RV toilets, fridges, and much more.
They know their way around an RV septic system and have created one of the best and most popular RV toilet papers on the market today.
Their RV toilet paper falls under two names, Aqua-Soft and Campa-Soft. There’s no difference between the two and buying this Aqua-Soft is the same as buying Campa-Soft RV toilet paper.
Aqua-Soft RV toilet paper is rapid-dissolving, 100% biodegradable, and is a soft 2-Ply.
See Also: How To Find Nearby RV Dump Stations & Fresh Water Fill-Up
I highly recommend this brand if you are a tent or van camper and don’t have a toilet. There are so many BLM campsites just littered with globs of toilet paper that won’t break down.
This stuff will disappear quickly and while I don’t condone littering with toilet paper, if you are going to do it, this is the environmentally friendly option.
For RV and boat septic systems Thetford Aqua-Soft RV Toilet Paper is the cream of the crop. I’ve seen tests and done a few of my own and this always comes out on top.
If you want to be extra careful and be sure that you will never have any problems with your black tank this is the best choice.
PROS
- 2 Ply
- Rapid-dissolving
- 100% Biodegradable
- RV Safe
2. Scott RV Toilet Paper
Scott rapid-dissolving toilet paper for RVs and boats is another very popular RV toilet paper product.
The brand Scott makes some fantastic toilet paper that is septic safe and I actually have the Scott 1000 Septic Safe Toilet Paper (click to view on Amazon) as part of my best regular toilet paper for RV’s below but I’ll get into that later.
Right now I want to focus on Scott RV toilet paper.
Although the Scott RV toilet paper is only 1-ply, it’s a thick ply and can be compared to other brands 2-ply. So don’t let that scare you away from trying it. It’s rapid-dissolving, RV safe, and hypoallergenic toilet paper.
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A cool thing about Scott toilet paper is they are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified. Which means their paper is sourced responsibly. For more information about the FSC check out their web page.
Scott RV Toilet Paper is another great RV safe toilet paper that is highly absorbent and will not clog your RV septic system.
If you want to be extra careful and possibly have an easier time dumping your black tank then this is a toilet paper that is almost as good as the Thetford brand reviewed above. It can be easier to find in stores as well, so that’s another thing to think about.
PROS
- RV Safe
- Rapid Dissolving
- FSC Certified
3. Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper
Firebelly Outfitters is a newer RV products brand that has been gaining popularity over the years.
Firebelly was started by a family in Indiana who wanted better more environmentally friendly products for their own RV. Along with other RV accessories, one of their products is RV toilet tissue.
Their RV toilet paper is rapid-dissolving, RV safe, 100% biodegradable, and as an added bonus, individually wrapped.
If you live in an RV or even take one out from time to time you know how hard it is to store a big package of toilet paper. Wrapping them individually makes it so you can take each roll out of the bag and stow it away easier while keeping the toilet tissue clean.
It’s 2-ply and contains no dyes or parabens making it hypoallergenic and comfortable on your behind.
See Also: How To Maintain RV Holding Tanks To Prevent Clogs & Odors
RV toilet paper brands like Thetford and Scott have been dominating the RV world for a long time and it’s good to see a new company bringing in new quality products.
Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper is another 100% biodegradable toilet paper that is really good for not only RV’s but the tent and van campers as well because it will dissolve fast and not hurt the environment.
There are other brands out there and you don’t have to buy toilet paper made specifically for an RV, but if you would rather buy RV toilet paper this is another great option that will keep your black tank happy.
PROS
- 2 Ply
- RV Safe
- 100% Biodegradable
- Rapid Dissolving
- Soft
- Individually Wrapped Rolls
4. Camco RV Toilet Paper
It wouldn’t be an RV review without mentioning Camco.
Camco is one of the biggest names in the camping industry and of course it makes its own kind of RV and marine toilet paper.
It’s a very simple toilet tissue. Just 1 ply but it dissolves easily and quickly. There are no dyes or perfumes added which makes it hypoallergenic and easier on the environment if you end up using it outside or in a compostable toilet.
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Here’s the main downside to this specific RV toilet paper.
Yes it’s made by a great company that knows campers inside and out and it’s a great product that will not clog up your black tank but it’s sort of a premium choice for the amount of RV toilet paper you end up with.
The Camco RV Toilet Paper is a fantastic choice and an excellent product for weekend/summer campers. But if you live full time in your RV it is a bit of an investment for 1 ply toilet paper.
PROS
- Biodegradable
- RV Safe
- Rapid Dissolving
5. Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue
Kirkland Signature bath tissue is the first non-RV specific toilet paper in this review. I think it performs almost as well as RV toilet paper and is more budget-friendly.
I did an RV toilet paper test by dissolving it in water and I was happy to see that it performs extremely well. I use it in my own RV and I haven’t had any clogs or problems yet so it’s doing its job right.
Kirkland bath tissue is septic-safe, and a very soft 2-ply. It’s budget-friendly and easy to find in regular stores. Which is a huge bonus when you are on the road.
There’s always going to be a discussion about what kind of toilet paper is best for an RV septic system but if you do the RV toilet paper test and try out multiple brands you will find that it’s not as necessary to use RV toilet paper as some might think.
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Some RVs have a sani-flush that shoots water into the black tank and cleans it out really well. For travel trailers and RV’s with this feature, you can get away with toilet paper that doesn’t dissolve as fast as others.
That being said, if you often find yourself dumping your black tank in a stressful environment with lots of people waiting in line or you just don’t have time to properly flush it out, RV toilet paper will be a better choice for you.
I normally have time to flush out my black tank for a few minutes so Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue has been a great option for me.
It’s soft, septic-safe, and easy to find in stores. If you don’t believe me, buy some and test it yourself, you will be surprised by how well it works.
PROS
- Septic-safe
- Available in regular stores
- Soft
- Budget-Friendly
6. Scott 1000 Toilet Paper
Scott 1000 toilet paper is a common toilet paper in homes with their own septic system. It dissolves well and is easy on the plumbing. I know a lot of campers and RVer’s who use Scott 1000 toilet paper because it’s very budget-friendly and works well in RV septic systems.
Scott makes a rapid-dissolving RV toilet paper (click to view on Amazon) as well, and while it’s softer than Scott 1000 it’s harder to find in stores and may not be necessary for your RV.
I’ve used Scott 1000 toilet paper in my travel trailer and it didn’t give me any issue. My only problem with it is softness.
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Don’t get me wrong it works just fine and some people are more than happy with it, but I prefer something a little softer like the Kirkland Signature toilet paper reviewed above.
Scott 1000 Toilet Paper is very septic-safe, and it even says it’s safe for RV’s and boats on the packaging. Scott is an FSC Certified company and you get a lot of value with this RV safe toilet paper.
Again I recommend trying it out and comparing it with RV toilet paper. It’s an easy thing to test and it may end up being your new favorite RV toilet paper brand.
PROS
- Septic-safe
- Budget-Friendly
- FSC Certified
What Look For In RV Toilet Paper
Septic-safe
No matter what kind of toilet paper you buy for your RV it needs to at least be septic-safe. If it’s going to clog a regular home’s septic system the chances are higher of it clogging your RV’s septic system.
Make sure septic-safe is written on the packaging and test it in water to see if it dissolves before using it in your RV, travel trailer, or portable toilet.
Biodegradable
Not all RV or septic-safe toilet paper is biodegradable. There are only two 100% biodegradable toilet papers on this list and it can be tricky to find.
If you have a compostable toilet or go out in the wild make sure you buy 100% biodegradable to keep the environment safe and stop the massive amounts of toilet paper littered all over BLM land.
How often do you dump your black tank?
If you dump your black tank often and can fill it up with lots of water, toilet paper will have an easier time dissolving.
Boondockers who are out for 14 days have to conserve the space in the black tank more than others and there is less water to dissolve the toilet paper.
If you are going to be out for a long time without being able to dump using rapid-dissolving RV toilet paper is going to be a better option for you.
If you dump your trailer often make sure you fill your black tank with lots of water before and after you dump it, this will break down toilet paper faster and you may be able to use cheaper regular toilet paper that is septic-safe.
RV Black Tank Chemicals
RV holding tank treatment chemicals are something every RVer should be using whether they use RV toilet paper or not. It helps eliminate odors and aids in breaking down toilet paper and solid waste. You can buy it in liquid or powder form.
My favorite is Happy Camper Black Tank Treatment (click to view on Amazon).
If you use regular septic-safe toilet paper you can add a little more chemical to your black tank to help break it down a little faster. If you want to use less holding tank treatment then you should consider using RV toilet paper to lessen the risk of clogs.
Softness
Let’s be honest, when it comes to toilet paper softer tissue is just nicer and more comfortable. Some RV and septic-safe toilet papers sacrifice comfort for a tissue that breaks down super fast. But other brands have figured out how to get the best out of both worlds.
The final decision is up to you and everyone has their favorite level of softness. Try out a few brands and see which one is the best for you.
Number of Ply’s
Most truly septic-safe toilet papers are either 1 or 2 ply. Some of the 1-ply RV toilet papers like Scott RV Toilet Paper are softer than standard 1-ply so it’s not an exact measurement for softness.
But it’s something to consider when searching for the perfect RV toilet paper.
Conclusion & My Recommendations For Best RV Toilet Paper
There are a lot of different opinions out there about what kind of toilet paper is best for campers.
Does RV safe mean the same thing as septic safe?
The answer is both yes and no. In my experience, you can get away with using regular septic safe toilet paper in your RV so long as you do the RV toilet paper test and make sure it breaks up completely in water. I wouldn’t recommend using anything over 2 ply though.
One nice thing about 2 ply RV toilet paper is it’s soft and dissolves just as fast as most septic safe 1 ply toilet papers.
In the end, the choice is up to you. No matter what make sure you are taking the proper steps to maintain and clean your RV holding tanks. Always use a black tank treatment like this Happy Camper (click to view on Amazon) to help break down everything that goes into an RV black tank.
Best RV Toilet Paper – Thetford Aqua-Soft RV Toilet Paper
Thetford knows RV septic systems better than any other RV company, so you know they are going to make the best RV toilet paper possible.
If you need to dump your trailer fast with minimal work then this is going to be the best possible option. It dissolves rapidly, is 100% biodegradable, and pretty decent when it comes to softness.
If you are a tent camper or find yourself going into the woods to do your business and you don’t pack out your toilet paper, please use 100% biodegradable toilet paper like this.
Especially in BLM campgrounds the toilet paper littered all over the place does not disappear quickly and takes away from the beauty of nature.
Best Regular Toilet Paper For RV Use – Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue
I use this septic safe toilet paper in my travel trailer and I have never had a problem. It’s soft, RV safe, and easy to find in stores.
We all have different preferences and some don’t want to take the time to spray out their black tank so they use RV toilet paper. But this is some of the best regular toilet paper I’ve found that is budget-friendly, soft, and dissolves quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Toilet Paper
Where do you buy RV toilet paper?
Online is a great place to buy RV toilet paper as it is not often sold in a regular store. You can get a huge variety and really find exactly what you are looking for.
If you don’t go online check your local RV dealer or RV parts store, they should have some in stock and some Walmarts even have RV toilet paper in their RV section.
Is toilet paper biodegradable?
Not all toilet paper is 100% biodegradable even though some would say it technically is. Have you ever gone for a hike or walk in the woods and seen toilet paper scattered all over the ground.
Most of us have and it’s because people think all toilet paper is 100% biodegradable, the truth is most toilet paper can take a really long time to break down and sometimes will be there for years.
Biodegradable toilet paper will say that it is on the packaging. Make sure you do your research and read the label before you buy toilet paper for a compostable toilet or the woods.
Does RV toilet paper dissolve?
Yes, it does, and it dissolves very fast. Rapid-dissolve is one of the things that makes RV toilet paper safe for black tanks and RV septic systems.
Is RV toilet paper necessary?
For some RVer’s it is and for other RVer’s it is not necessary. It depends on how much holding tank treatment you use, how well you clean out your black tank, and how often you dump it.
No matter what kind you buy it should always say that it is septic-safe.
Is RV toilet paper good for septic tanks?
Oh ya, it is. RV toilet paper is extremely easy on plumbing and will perform amazingly in a home septic system.
Is it necessary for a home septic system? Most likely not, but if you want to be extra careful and use RV toilet paper in your home it’s going to be really good for it.
Why is RV toilet paper different?
RV toilet paper is different because it dissolves much faster than regular toilet paper. The reason for this is the black tank of an RV is dumped more often than a septic tank and the toilet paper doesn’t have a lot of time to dissolve before it needs to be disposed of.
How to dissolve toilet paper in an RV
Lots of water and black tank treatment. Those are the two best ways to dissolve toilet paper in an RV.
After dumping the black tank make sure you add around 5 gallons of water and treatment like Happy Camper (click to view on Amazon) to get a good base for dissolving.
The night before you are planning on dumping your RV try and fill up the black tank with as much water as possible. When you drive to the dump station the extra water will mix around with what’s in your black tank and help break it down enough to be drained easily.
How to test toilet paper for an RV?
The RV toilet paper test is a quick easy way to make sure the toilet paper you want to use in your RV breaks down fast enough.
To do the test just take a couple of squares of toilet paper and put it in a cup of water. RV safe toilet paper will break down quickly and should break apart completely after just a few minutes of soaking.
Have any more questions about RV toilet paper? Leave a comment below.
