Hikers test
RV/marine "Rapid Dissolving Paper" (yellow line) actually disintegrated slower than a cheaper regular type
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
...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.
96 Vogue Prima Vista
The Kid's: Humphrie, the Mini Schnauzer and Georgie,wire haired dachshund.
Rainbow Bridge: Laddie,Scoutie,Katie,Cooper,Kodie,Rubie,Maggie, Cassie, Mollie, Elvis, Potter and Rosie Love You! (40+ years in all)
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.
* This post was edited 02/04/17 02:15pm by dewey02 *
TakingThe5th - Chicago, Western Suburbs
'05 Ford F350 Crew 6.0 DRW Bulletproofed. Pullrite Super 5th 18K 2100 hitch.
'13 Keystone Cougar 333MKS, Maxxfan 7500, Progressive EMS-HW50C, Grey Water System.
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. 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.
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/huh.gif "huh")
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.
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/confused.gif "confused")
* This post was edited 02/04/17 02:19pm by 3oaks *
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.
Next morning I went out and where I'd flushed out the hose, there was a thin white layer of toilet paper on the ground, covering every blade of grass like hardened snow!
My conclusion, (first it was not RV toilet paper), but my conclusion, "dissolving" is a hoax idea and bogus. Toilet paper does not dissolve, it breaks down into minuscule fibers that are eventually washed away, or put back into the ground where, like all paper, will eventually decay and become worm food. But right out of the holding tank? No, it's not dissolved, it's simply broken down.
Try THIS experiment? Leave the TP in a glass jar, shake it once a day until it's broken down, then pour the water through a screen strainer. The TP has gone no where! Once the water dries out, the TP is still there! Hard as a rock!
It's a holding tank.
I use septic safe paper and have never had a problem with clogging, etc..
It either gets dumped in a septic system or a municipal sewer system.
Are we over thinking this?
And most of the RV specific products should be sold as sandpaper, not toilet paper.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
Next morning I went out and where I'd flushed out the hose, there was a thin white layer of toilet paper on the ground, covering every blade of grass like hardened snow!..."
I did a similar wash, and 2 days later, a local dog came through and deposited on top of it, apparently it had some odor or some attraction to it?
2012 Itasca Cambria 28T
Pops wrote:
Dutchman Sport said.. a local dog came through and deposited on top of it, apparently it had some odor or some attraction to it?
Dutchman Sport said.. a local dog came through and deposited on top of it, apparently it had some odor or some attraction to it?
More than likely, the dog was RE-marking HIS territory!
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
Way too funny!I live where dogs roam free and we can still burn our own trash. I have 3 pooper-scoopers located at each door of the house. Neighbors dogs on our road roam back and forth between all our properties (about a 1/4 mile), and seems all of them like to leave their "memories", or else one dog attempts to mark their territory over the other dog. Anyway, for the last 8 years, it's become a routine to simply carry the pooper-scooper when walking in the yard!
http://www.roadworkplay.com/2013/10/rv-safe-toilet-paper-brands/
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS
I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.
2013 LTV Unity MB Theater Seats
635 watts solar panels, 440 AH batteries, BlueSky Solar Boost 3024iL & IPN-Pro Remote, Magnum MS2000 & ME-RC50 remote
Koni Shocks F & R, Hellwig 7254, SumoSprings F & R
2012 Hyundai Accent SE, Blue Ox Aladdin/Patriot
path1 wrote:
Another test...Walk around shaking hands at where your set up at. You'll be able to tell who uses single ply versus double.
Another test...Walk around shaking hands at where your set up at. You'll be able to tell who uses single ply versus double.
I always wash my hands after using the toilet.
If you don't, then I don't want to shake your hand no matter how many plies your toilet paper may be.
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek")
Hard to plug up a 3" line.
Water is key. High liquid to solid ratio and dump when full....WHOOSH.
RVng should not be MADE complicated.
Do what you do at home.
Is it time for your medication or mine?
2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31
2007 Northwoods Arctic Fox 32 5S Fifth Wheel used for fulltiming for several years--SOLD
2014 Sunnybrook 26rl to poke around the smaller parks in the great Southwest
2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Diesel
Prodigy brake control
Old-Biscuit wrote:
I like thick soft fluffy TP and use big wads of it.
Hard to plug up a 3" line.
Water is key. High liquid to solid ratio and dump when full....WHOOSH.
RVng should not be MADE complicated.
Do what you do at home.
I like thick soft fluffy TP and use big wads of it.
Hard to plug up a 3" line.
Water is key. High liquid to solid ratio and dump when full....WHOOSH.
RVng should not be MADE complicated.
Do what you do at home.
Adding to what Old-Biscuit posted, in 2011 I was at an RV park on the Oregon coast and met a couple from Idaho. He was in the paper industry for 35 years. He told me that they did dissolve test after dissolve test after dissolve test, using many brands, RV-specific TP, and their own TP. He said that in the end it made no difference.
He said that what does make a difference is how much toilet paper is used and put into the black tank. You want a slurry of waste and product, not a sludge of waste and product. "Water is key." Each model of RV is a little different from other RVs and each RVer has to find the "happy medium" (tipping point) as to much product can go in their RV's black tank so that it can be dumped without problems.
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures
To this day, we still roar laughing at her!
Army 11 Bravo - Gulf War Veteran
Wife, Two Teen Boys, Hound Dog (Daisy) & Beagles (Lily & Bailey)
2014 Springdale 267SRTWE Bunkhouse Travel Trailer
2009 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab 4x4
Funny story - a few years ago I met a camper at our seasonal site. It was their first time there with their recently bought new RV. Apparently him and his wife didn't know they could use any TP so off to the RV dealership to buy some. Later that day he comes back and asks me how we like our Greyhawk. I tell him how we felt and he said, I think I just bought one. We went to the dealership to buy some TP and ended up putting a deposit down on a new Motorhome. We pick it up in a few days. Now that was expensive TP. I did tell him that we use Scott TP and that any will do.
I have noticed over the last few years that Scott TP no longer says it is RV safe. At one time it did say it was Septic and RV safe, but now it only says Septic safe.
-Michael
Michael Girardo
2017 Jayco Jayflight Bungalow 40BHQS Destination Trailer
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS Class C Motorhome (previously owned)
2006 Rockwood Roo 233 Hybrid Travel Trailer (previously owned)
1995 Jayco Eagle 12KB pop-up (previously owned)
Old-Biscuit wrote:
I like thick soft fluffy TP and use big wads of it.
Hard to plug up a 3" line.
Water is key. High liquid to solid ratio and dump when full....WHOOSH.
RVng should not be MADE complicated.
Do what you do at home.
I like thick soft fluffy TP and use big wads of it.
Hard to plug up a 3" line.
Water is key. High liquid to solid ratio and dump when full....WHOOSH.
RVng should not be MADE complicated.
Do what you do at home.
I do not use "BIG WADS" of toilet paper but I agree with Old-Biscuit.
1995 fiver on permanent site in AZ = no problem
1990 Southwind to travel in = no problems
It ain't complicated and it does not have to be time consuming
Traveling with my best friend, my wife in a 1990 Southwind
2017 Grand Design Imagine 2650RK
2019 F250 XLT Supercab
Just DW & me......
Army11Bravo wrote:
Back in the early 80's, my father jokingly told my teenage sister not to use more than 2 squares of toilet paper per visit to the commode or else it will plug up our Midas mini holding tank. No one realized she took it to heart until years later when she said she always limited her use to 2 squares.
To this day, we still roar laughing at her!
Back in the early 80's, my father jokingly told my teenage sister not to use more than 2 squares of toilet paper per visit to the commode or else it will plug up our Midas mini holding tank. No one realized she took it to heart until years later when she said she always limited her use to 2 squares.
To this day, we still roar laughing at her!
She gets the last laugh, as I'm sure she probably helped with the cooking. LOL
2017 Montana 3950BR
Chum lee
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.
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.
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
95 Bounder 32H F53 460
2013 CRV Toad
2 Segways in Toad
First brake job
1941 Hudson
RLS7201 wrote:
If that was the test guided by Betty Brewer, MembersMark TP from Sam's Club was both the decomposition & price winner.
Richard
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.
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....
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
2019 Ford F-350 long bed SRW 4X4 6.4 PSD Grand Designs Reflection 295RL 5th wheel