Have heard previously that "RV paper" is not worth paying extra over a regular toilet paper. So here is some data. See the graph below - scroll down to the 3rd graph, yellow line is RV paper and pink line is regular TP:Hikers test RV/marine "Rapid Dissolving Paper" (yellow line) actually disintegrated slower than a cheaper regular type :)...Also, 2-ply paper disintegrated MUCH slower than 1-ply. Something to consider.Note that they were hikers, so the exposure to elements consisted of leaving it outside in light rain. Water speeds up the disintegration process, and soil contact is the 2nd best.

We did this "test" a few year's ago at a group event in Quartzsite. We had 10-12 different brands of TP,(including "RV" TP) all put in jars with water and stirred once a day. I think the "RV" specific one dissolved at the bottom of the list of others. Not very scientific but similar results.

We are not fans of RV paper and never buy it. We use Scotts singly ply, just like at home. But having said that, I wouldn't rush to judgement given the test results in the OP linked above, which have little application to an RV holding tank.They pinned TP to the ground and waited for almost a month with only a trace of rain, and then had a more rainy day with 1.5 - 3 inches of rain. This might be a fine test for backpackers who do like bears and do it in the woods. But in my opinion it is pretty meaningless to RVers, who have a holding tank that has constant water and liquid in it and the TP sits in that liquid.This is example of people taking an experiment and applying it to a completely different situation than intended. This is really the worst kind of application of science, because it has the appearance of credibility, but in reality has almost none.Again, we don't use RV TP because I believe it is a waste of money. And maybe, as some have said, there are other experiments that prove it, but the experiment posted in the original post certainly doesn't. The experiment in the second post, even though appearing to be "less scientific" probably has more credibility.

We also did a study and found that the different glues used on the 2-ply tissue can affect the decomposition rate, and using RV paper held no guarantees of performance. Our take-away lesson was to simply use 1-ply paper.

Acampingwewillgo wrote:We did this "test" a few year's ago at a group event in Quartzsite. We had 10-12 different brands of TP,(including "RV" TP) all put in jars with water and stirred once a day. I think the "RV" specific one dissolved at the bottom of the list of others. Not very scientific but similar results.I agree. Although like you stated, not very scientific, all things being equal, it's good for a general comparison. :@No, we don't use "special" RV toilet paper either. Never did.On a separate note, we were always taught in Boy Scouts and in the military to bury our waste. And I thought all hikers and back packers did the same. Apparently not. I don't see the purpose of laying toilet paper on top of the ground to test decomposition. :?

relax, Dewey, nobody called it "scientific". And, however un-RV those hikers tests were, the results are consistent with other sources. I find it useful to learn that not only water breaks the TP down. Burying it in the ground would be another alternative. You never know when you might have to use this method. Though I would rather burn it in this case.RV toilets, on the other hand, have always been the edge of modern science and technology, with super-smell-retaining plastic, microscopic stream of water and extra-small seat :)... The convenience of this ingenious design only rivals RV shower heater, with 20 minutes waiting time for a 7-minutes shower...I wouldn't use the term "dissolve" here. TP breaks down into sludge, cellulose fibers. To actually dissolve the fibers will take a bit more. Couldn't find any easy to understand write-up on cellulose fibers disintegration without using heavy chemicals.

"RV" toilet paper - myth busted | Good Sam Community

Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2017
RLS7201 wrote:
Acampingwewillgo wrote:
We did this "test" a few year's ago at a group event in Quartzsite. We had 10-12 different brands of TP,(including "RV" TP) all put in jars with water and stirred once a day. I think the "RV" specific one dissolved at the bottom of the list of others. Not very scientific but similar results.

If that was the test guided by Betty Brewer, MembersMark TP from Sam's Club was both the decomposition & price winner.

Richard

Your right on the money Richard, it was indeed Betty. I just couldn't remember who the winner was.... :-) TP wise....
Chum_lee
Explorer
Feb 07, 2017
Almot wrote:
Chum, the type of paper does matter. Some break down faster than others. Some hardly break down in water at all - like the paper that money are printed on, though I doubt too many people are using it for this purpose.

What I don't know is how long it takes to break down that film of cellulose left after breaking down the paper into individual fibers. I "think" that in absence of chemicals this would take weeks and months.

OK, I'll rephrase that. The type of paper does matter, . . . . if you're using an old phone book to . . . . well, you know. Most toilet tissue I'm aware of is specifically designed to fall apart very quickly when wet. I've got better things to do with my cash than, . . . well, . . . you know, with it.

I agree, it does take weeks to months for the cellulose fibers to disperse and eventually break down.

Chum lee
down_home
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2017
We just had our septic system repaired, a baffle was stuck, and pumped.
Toilet paper was undegraded or not sufficiently degraded and everywhere on top, off the inside of tank.
We use Rid X and so on.
So don't expect toilet paper to be thoroughly dissolved in our RV tanks.
Do flush the tanks well as we don't want prymids of stuff or paper.
It takes a bit to flush the tanks but I expect I will take a little longer from now on. I have watched the opaque elbow until I was sure it was clear, only to see clumps of paper and such come though in a mass. That was when we were parked for a long time and may have left the sewer hose open so no ptrssure was created to force things to flush out.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2017
down home wrote:
That was when we were parked for a long time and may have left the sewer hose open so no pressure was created to force things to flush out.

On a long-term camp I keep the tank valve closed and only open it once a day or once every two days, for a few minutes. Then the pressure pushes everything out. Seems to be a common practice for most people, including those on short-term camps. You need some water at the beginning, and some pressure when you dump it.
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
Wheather it desolves or breaks up into very small parts I could care less as long as it will flush out of my tank. Like someone else I will not use 1 ply paper
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
Wheather it desolves or breaks up into very small parts I could care less as long as it will flush out of my tank. Like someone else I will not use 1 ply paper
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
TMI - twice!

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