Why RV Toilet Paper Is (Almost) More Important Than Gasoline

Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Roads are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Time for some honesty: The greatest inventions in human history are, in no particular order, the internet, the wheel, microwave ovens, and toilet paper. All of these inventions changed the world, each takes up residence in our everyday lives, but only one saves our hands from smelling like, well... poop.

Elite bath tissue checks a few boxes, including softness and durability. When it comes to full-time recreational vehicles and their septic systems, only one question really matters: Is it fast dissolving? Finding eco-friendly paper that's unscented, free of dyes, and most importantly, won't clog up your RV holding tank should be on every beginner's mind before hitting those wide open roads.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

RV Toilet Paper vs. Regular TP

Fan-favorite TP brands like Charmin Ultra, Cottonelle, and Angel Soft were designed for your at-home thrones. Camper poops demand specific toilet paper that's made septic tank safe and won't be clogging up and bogging down your road trips.

RV and marine-specific toilet papers come in single- or double-ply options, but the key is that they are quick dissolving; Think about flushing your toilet at home: everything is sent through your plumbing and FAR away from your bathroom. In an RV, sewage is stored in a black water tank that needs cleaned and emptied as needed. (For newbies out there, RVs are typically fitted with three tanks: a fresh water tank, a grey water tank that stores dirty water from showers and sinks, and the black tank. In campers that don't have a grey tank, all waste water funnels to the black tank.)

With so much... "stuff" stored in the black tank, it's obvious why special toilet paper is necessary. Having to go in by hand and unclog your black tank or pipe fittings isn't ideal, which means being prepared with proper RV toilet paper is the difference between easy clean up and a long afternoon getting your hands dirty.

Where to Buy RV Toilet Paper

RV toilet paper isn't hard to find! Big-chain supermarkets like Walmart stock it, and online retailers like Amazon almost always have some around. You can shop directly through various brands themselves, too, so make sure and find one that's right for you and your family!

These five options all get the job done, fitting budget and comfortability needs for anyone planning to (finally) hit the wide open road in 2021.

The Best RV Toilet Paper of 2021

1. Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper Made for RVs and Boats

Trusted name, proven results. The Cadillac of RV toilet paper is Scott, a brand whose regular toilet paper has touched millions of bums over the years. Absorbent, ultra soft and quick dissolving, every motorhome gets an upgrade when this hits the roll.

2. Thetford's Aqua-Soft Toilet Tissue for RV and Marine

This 2-ply paper comes in a convenient four pack at a great price. More than 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon can't be wrong, and your black water tank will greatly appreciate this biodegradable winner.

RELATED: RV Surge Protectors: What They Are & Why They Are So Important

3. Camco RV Bathroom 1-Ply Toilet Tissue

An Amazon's Choice bestseller, Camco Manufacturing's long tradition of customer service and excellence in the RV industry dates back to 1966. (Fun fact: the company's first product was antifreeze!) Don't stop here at this single-ply tissue paper, though; Camco's holding tank treatment breaks down waste and comes in both liquid and drop-in pods for easy cleaning, so you can go RVing and not worry about that black tank.

4. Valterra Softness 2-Ply RV & Marine Toilet Tissue

Buying in bulk? Valterra covers that. This RV TP comes highly-recommended with one Amazon reviewer saying, "Won't use any other TP in our RV ever again." This two-ply does the job, and with a listed price of $41.90 for 40 rolls, its a price that'll be hard to beat.

5. LUXSOFT Premium 3-Ply Luxury Toilet Paper

Traditional RV-safe toilet paper is meant to protect RV and marine sanitation systems by quickly dissolving, sometimes trading quality for tank safety. That's not the case when Commodore's LUXSOFT entered the conversation for RVers. This three-ply roll runs at a competitive price and lives up to the hype.

RVing is one of those timeless ways to travel, and in the modern era of remote workers, full-on living! Knowing what to wipe your bum with shouldn't be part of your day-to-day decisions, and these safe TP options are sure to keep your sewer system free and clear, so you can focus on the wide open road.

What is your favorite travel story? Share on our Wide Open Roads Facebook!

Editor's note: This article was originally published on December 9, 2020.

READ MORE: How to Rent the Perfect RV for Your Road Trip