--- title: "7 RV Debates That Never Seem To Die" url: "https://camperfaqs.com/rv-debates" author: "Tory Jon" published: "2026-05-14T13:34:29-05:00" modified: "2026-05-14T13:41:29-05:00" --- # 7 RV Debates That Never Seem To Die Some topics in the RV world seem guaranteed to start an argument. Just read the comments on any RV forum or Facebook page. Some arguments are about safety. Some are about maintenance. Others come down to personal habit, campground etiquette, or how someone was taught when they first started camping. The tricky part is that both sides often have a point. One RVer may have done something for 30 years without a problem. Another may look at the same habit and see a risk they are not willing to take. So instead of pretending every debate has one simple answer, let’s look at where both sides are coming from. ## 1. Driving With Propane On This is one of those RV debates where both sides usually think the other side is ignoring the obvious. Many RVers drive with propane on because they want the refrigerator to keep running between stops. For an absorption refrigerator, that is a normal operating mode. If the RV is not plugged into shore power, propane may be what keeps the fridge cold during a long travel day. ### Why Some RVers Leave It On The main argument is simple: convenience and food safety. Some will even argue that's what it was designed for. Nobody wants a refrigerator full of food warming up during a long drive, especially in summer. For RVers with absorption refrigerators, propane may be the easiest way to keep the fridge running while traveling. ### Why Others Shut It Off The other side sees an open propane valve as an added risk. If the valve is closed, propane is mostly contained at the tank. If the valve is open, propane can move through the regulator, lines, fittings, and appliances. That gives propane more places to escape if something gets damaged or fails. ### “You’re Still Carrying Propane Either Way” This is a common counterargument, and there is some truth to it. Turning the propane off does not make the tank disappear. An RV is still carrying a pressurized fuel container. In a serious crash or fire, the tank itself can still be a hazard. But that argument only goes so far. There is a difference between carrying propane in a closed tank and allowing propane into the RV’s propane system while traveling. With the valve open, a damaged line, loose fitting, failed regulator, or appliance issue could create more places for propane to escape. Shutting the valve does not remove all danger. It reduces the number of places where propane can leak if something goes wrong. ### When It Needs To Be Off There are also situations where this debate becomes less about opinion and more about rules. Propane may need to be turned off at: - Fuel stations - Propane filling areas - Some tunnels - Some bridges - Some ferries - Anywhere posted rules require it That is why route planning matters, especially if you are traveling through tunnels, over certain bridges, or using ferries. ### The Middle Ground Many RVers take a practical middle-ground approach. They may run on propane on open highways, then shut it off before fueling, entering a restricted tunnel, or getting propane filled. Others avoid the issue entirely by pre-chilling the refrigerator, loading it cold, using ice packs, and keeping the doors closed while traveling. ### Where I’d Land Driving with propane on is common, and many RVers have done it for years without a problem. Others prefer to shut it off every time they travel, and that is a reasonable choice, too. For most RVers, the safest middle ground is knowing your equipment, checking route restrictions, and shutting propane off before fuel stops, propane fills, ferries, restricted tunnels, or anywhere posted rules require it. ## 2. Drinking Water From the Fresh Tank This debate usually comes down to one question: do you trust your RV’s water system and/or the campground's water supply enough to drink from it? Some RVers drink from their fresh tank all the time. Others will shower with it, wash dishes with it, and flush with it, but they will not drink it. Then there are people who won’t go anywhere near campground water. ### Why Some RVers Drink From It The argument here is pretty simple: it is called a freshwater tank for a reason. If the tank is clean, the water source is safe, and the hoses and fittings are made for drinking water, there is nothing unusual about using the RV’s water system for drinking water. That is how the system is intended to work. The CDC’s RV water guidance says RVers should fill tanks from a safe drinking water source and keep the RV water system clean. It also recommends confirming campground water is safe before hooking up. ### Why Others Avoid It The other side is not always being dramatic. An RV fresh tank can sit unused. Water lines can hold old water. Hoses can be stored in hot compartments. Campground water sources are not all maintained the same way. A previous owner may not have sanitized the system regularly. So for some RVers, bottled water or a separate drinking-water jug feels like the safer and easier choice. It is not always about thinking every tank is unsafe. Sometimes it is just about not knowing what has happened inside that tank over the years. ### The Tank Is Only Part of the System This is where the debate gets more interesting. People often argue about the fresh tank itself, but the full system matters: - The water source - The hose - The filter - The tank - The pump - The water lines - The faucets - How long the water has been sitting - How often the system is sanitized A clean tank filled from questionable water is still a problem. So is safe water going through a dirty hose or sitting too long in hot conditions. ### “I’ve Done It for Years and I’m Fine” That may be true. Plenty of RVers drink from their fresh tanks for years without getting sick. But that usually says something about their maintenance habits, water source, and how often they use the system. It does not prove that *every*RV water system is safe by default. The better argument is that drinking from the fresh tank can be reasonable if the system is maintained and the water source is safe. It is not something to assume blindly, especially with an older RV, a used RV, or a tank that has been sitting. ### The Practical Takeaway Drinking from the fresh tank is not automatically bad, and avoiding it is not automatically paranoid. A well-maintained RV water system filled from a safe, preferably filtered drinking water source can be used for drinking water. But if the tank has been sitting, the RV is new to you, or you do not know the history of the system, using bottled water or a separate drinking-water container is a reasonable choice. For most RVers, the middle ground is simple: sanitize the system, use drinking-water-safe hoses, fill from safe sources, and filter if you want another layer of protection. ## 3. Using Cruise Control While Towing This one depends heavily on the tow vehicle, the trailer, the road, and the driver. Some RVers use cruise control every chance they get. Others refuse to use it while towing because they want direct control over the throttle, especially in hills, traffic, wind, or rain. Both sides have a point. ### Why Some RVers Use It The argument for cruise control is comfort and consistency. On flat, open highway, cruise control can help maintain a steady speed. That can make a long travel day less tiring, especially when the tow vehicle and trailer are well matched. Newer trucks also have better towing technology than older ones. Tow/haul modes, integrated trailer brake controllers, transmission temperature monitoring, exhaust braking on some diesels, adaptive cruise systems, and trailer-aware features can change the conversation. That does not mean cruise control is always the right choice, but it does mean all setups are not the same. ### Why Others Avoid It The other side worries about control. When towing, the vehicle and trailer are heavier, longer, and slower to respond. GM’s 2026 Silverado/Sierra towing supplement says the vehicle-and-trailer combination is longer and “not as responsive as the vehicle itself.” It also recommends Tow/Haul mode for heavier trailers and says a lower gear may be selected if the transmission downshifts too often. That is the heart of the argument against cruise control. On hills, cruise control may try too hard to hold the set speed. That can lead to more throttle, frequent downshifting, higher RPMs, and less smooth driving. In wind, rain, traffic, construction zones, or mountain grades, many drivers would rather manage speed themselves. ### Adaptive Cruise Is a Separate Debate Traditional cruise control and adaptive cruise control are not the same thing. Adaptive cruise may slow down or adjust based on vehicles ahead, but that does not mean it is always appropriate while towing. Some vehicle systems have towing limitations or may need trailer-specific functionality. For example, GM’s Silverado/Sierra towing supplement says some driver assistance features should be turned off when towing or may turn off automatically when a trailer is detected. It specifically lists Super Cruise and Adaptive Cruise Control unless the vehicle is equipped with trailering functionality. That is why the owner’s manual matters here. A 20-year-old half-ton, a newer diesel truck, and a modern SUV with driver-assistance features may not have the same guidance. ### “I Use It All the Time and It Works Fine” That may be completely true for that person’s setup. A properly loaded trailer behind a capable tow vehicle on flat interstate is a very different situation from a heavy trailer behind a marginal tow vehicle in rolling hills. This is where RVers sometimes talk past each other. One person is thinking about Kansas on a calm day. Another is thinking about mountain grades, rain, traffic, and a trailer that is already pushing the truck’s limits. Both experiences can be real. ### The Practical Takeaway Using cruise control while towing is not automatically wrong. On flat, dry, open roads with a well-matched setup, many RVers use it without issue. But it is not something to leave on in every situation. Hills, curves, heavy traffic, wet roads, wind, construction zones, and mountain grades are all good reasons to take over manually. The best answer is to know your tow vehicle, read the owner’s manual, watch how the transmission behaves, and turn cruise control off when conditions call for more direct control. ## 4. Using RV-Specific Toilet Paper This debate is usually louder than it needs to be. Some RVers swear you should only use toilet paper labeled for RVs. Others say that it is mostly marketing, and any toilet paper that breaks down easily is fine. A third group avoids the whole argument by putting used toilet paper in a trash can instead of the black tank. ### Why Some RVers Use RV Toilet Paper The argument for RV-specific toilet paper is simple: RV plumbing is not the same as household plumbing. In a house, waste usually moves through larger plumbing lines and into a sewer or septic system. In an RV, toilet paper and waste sit in a holding tank until it is dumped. That makes breakdown more important. Companies that make RV toilet paper market it as fast-dissolving and designed for RV, marine, and portable toilet systems. Thetford, for example, says its RV/marine toilet paper is designed to dissolve rapidly in holding tanks and reduce clumping and clogging. That is why some RVers do not want to gamble with regular toilet paper. They see RV toilet paper as cheap insurance against clogs, pyramid plugs, and messy dump-station problems. ### Why Others Use Regular Toilet Paper The other side argues that the label is not magic. Many RVers use regular toilet paper and never have a problem. Their argument is that the bigger issue is not the package. It is how quickly the paper breaks down and how much water you use. That view has some common sense behind it. A fast-dissolving regular toilet paper may perform better than a thicker paper with “RV” on the label. The label helps, but it does not replace good tank habits. ### The Real Problem Is Usually Water This is where a lot of RVers agree, even if they argue about the paper. Black tanks need water. Not just a little splash. Enough water to help waste and paper move, break down, and dump properly. If someone uses too little water, leaves the black tank valve open at a full-hookup site, or lets waste dry out in the tank, even RV toilet paper may not save them. Camco’s black tank guidance says RV-approved toilet tissue is designed to dissolve rapidly, but it also points to flushing the tank thoroughly as part of black tank maintenance. That is the part that often gets lost. Toilet paper choice matters, but it is only one part of the system. ### The Trash Can Method Some RVers do not put toilet paper in the black tank at all. They use a lined trash can, often with a lid, and dispose of the paper separately. This is common in some countries, on boats, in older plumbing systems, and among RVers who want to avoid black tank issues entirely. For some people, that is a hard no. For others, it is normal and keeps the tank cleaner. This is mostly a comfort issue. It can reduce paper buildup in the tank, but it is not something every RVer will be willing to do. ### The Practical Takeaway RV-specific toilet paper can make sense, especially for people who want a simple choice that is made for holding tanks. But regular paper may also work if it breaks down well and you use enough water. The bigger mistake is treating toilet paper as the whole problem. A black tank needs water, proper dumping habits, and enough time to fill before dumping. The best toilet paper in the world will not fix a tank that is being used dry. RV toilet paper is not magic, and “septic safe” does not automatically settle the issue. What matters most is using enough water, keeping the black tank valve closed until dumping, and using toilet paper that breaks apart reasonably well. ## 5. Using the RV Toilet at All This debate is part plumbing, part habit, and part personal comfort. Some RVers use their toilet exactly like a toilet. Others only use it for liquids. Some avoid it almost completely and use campground bathhouses whenever they can. And yes, all three groups think the others are a little strange. ### Why Some RVers Use It Normally The obvious argument is that the RV came with a bathroom for a reason. And that's partly why they bought an RV in the first place. For many people, having their own toilet is one of the biggest advantages of owning an RV. It is convenient at night, during bad weather, while boondocking, while traveling with kids, or when campground bathrooms are dirty, crowded, or far away. There is also a comfort and privacy factor. A lot of RVers would rather maintain their own bathroom than depend on a public one. Their view is pretty simple: if you paid for an RV with a bathroom, use it. ### Why Others Avoid It The other side is usually trying to avoid black tank problems. They do not want odors. They do not want clogs. They do not want to dump more often. Some do not want solid waste in the tank at all. Others had one bad experience and decided never again. For weekend campers staying at campgrounds with clean bathhouses, that approach may work fine. If the public restroom is close and well-maintained, avoiding the RV toilet may make the trip feel easier. It can also reduce how often the black tank needs attention, especially for people who camp casually and do not want to deal with tank maintenance. ### The Liquids-Only Crowd Then there is the middle group. They use the RV toilet for liquids, nighttime bathroom trips, and emergencies, but avoid putting solid waste in the tank. This is usually about convenience without fully committing to black tank use. It is not how everyone wants to camp, but it is common enough that most RVers have heard it. The tradeoff is simple. It may reduce some tank concerns, but it also means you are still depending on campground bathrooms for part of your trip. ### The Tank Still Needs Proper Care Avoiding the toilet does not automatically mean the black tank is trouble-free. If the toilet is used at all, the tank still needs enough water. It still needs to be dumped correctly. It still should not sit dry with waste in it. One common mistake is leaving the black tank valve open at a full-hookup site. That can let liquids drain away while solids and paper stay behind. We always recommend keeping the black valve closed until the tank is at *least*half full and adding water after dumping so the tank does not dry out. That advice matters no matter which toilet camp someone is in. ### The Practical Takeaway Using the RV toilet is not wrong. Avoiding it is not wrong either. This one mostly depends on how someone camps, how comfortable they are with tank maintenance, and what kind of facilities are available. Full-timers, boondockers, families, and travelers doing long road days may see the RV toilet as non-negotiable. Weekend campers at parks with clean bathhouses may feel differently. The practical middle ground is this: use the RV toilet however you want, but understand the black tank if you use it at all. Plenty of water, a closed black valve until dumping, and regular maintenance matter more than winning the argument. ## 6. Moving Around in a Motorhome While Driving This is one of those debates where real-world habits and safety advice do not always match. Anyone who has owned or ridden in a motorhome knows the temptation. The bathroom is right there. The fridge is right there. Someone wants a drink, a snack, a sweatshirt, or a quick trip to the restroom without stopping. That is one of the reasons motorhomes feel convenient. But convenience is also where this debate gets uncomfortable. ### Why Some People Do It The argument is usually practical. A motorhome is not like a pickup pulling a trailer. The living space is accessible while the vehicle is moving. On long travel days, passengers may want to use the bathroom, grab food, check on a pet, or help with something in the back. Some families also see it as one of the perks of traveling by motorhome. Nobody has to climb out of a vehicle at every stop, and the RV feels more like a rolling living room than a regular car. That mindset is common, but it can also make the risk feel smaller than it is. ### Why Others Stay Buckled The other side looks at it more like any other vehicle. A motorhome may have a kitchen, couch, bed, and bathroom, but it is still moving at highway speed. A sudden stop, swerve, crash, tire failure, or evasive maneuver can throw an unbelted person into cabinets, walls, furniture, or the windshield. The size of the RV does not change that basic physics. Seat belts also matter legally. State laws vary, especially for rear passengers and motorhomes, but the safer habit is simple: passengers should ride in designated seating positions with seat belts when the vehicle is moving. ### The “Just for a Minute” Argument This is where the debate usually gets personal. A lot of people are not talking about walking around for hours. They mean standing up for 20 seconds to grab a drink or using the bathroom quickly on a straight road. That is probably why the habit is so common. It feels minor. And, as so many love to point out, *who's going to know?* But the problem is that the driver does not always get to choose when a hazard happens. A deer runs out. Traffic stops suddenly. A tire blows. Another driver cuts across the lane. A short walk through the RV can become a bad moment fast. That does not mean every person who has ever moved around in a motorhome is reckless. It does mean “I only do it for a second” is not the same thing as “there is no risk.” ### Pets, Kids, and Loose Items This debate is not only about adults walking around. Pets should not be loose in a way that can interfere with the driver or become a projectile in a hard stop. Kids should be in proper seating and restraints. Loose objects should also be secured, because a coffee mug, laptop, or kitchen item can become dangerous during sudden braking. Motorhomes sometimes give people a false sense of security because everything feels roomy and familiar. But anything not secured can move. ### The Practical Takeaway Moving around in a motorhome while driving may be common, but common does not mean risk-free. The safest choice is for passengers to stay seated and buckled while the motorhome is moving. If someone needs the bathroom, a snack, or something from the back, pulling over is the safer option. That may feel inconvenient, especially on a long travel day, but it avoids turning a routine stop into a safety gamble. ## 7. Dump Station Etiquette: Full Rinse or Keep the Line Moving? Few campground moments test patience like a long line at the dump station. One RVer wants to do a proper rinse, clean the hose, flush the tank, check everything twice, and leave with the black tank as clean as possible. The next person in line is watching the clock, watching the line grow, and wondering why this has turned into a full maintenance project. Both sides have a point. ### Why Some RVers Take Their Time The argument for a full rinse is easy to understand. Black tanks can smell, clog, and build up residue if they are not maintained. A thorough rinse can help clear out waste, toilet paper, and buildup before the RV goes into storage or heads to the next campground. For some RVers, the dump station is their only chance to flush the tank properly. They may not have a sewer hookup at home. They may be ending a trip. They may want to avoid leaving waste sitting in the tank for weeks. From that point of view, rushing can feel like poor maintenance. ### Why Others Say Hurry Up The other side sees the dump station as shared infrastructure. If there is nobody waiting, take your time. But if several RVs are lined up behind you, a 20-minute tank rinse starts to feel inconsiderate. Many RVers are trying to leave before checkout, get on the road, or make it to the next stop. A long line can also create traffic problems inside the campground, especially when rigs are blocking roads or nearby sites. From that point of view, the polite move is to dump, do a basic rinse, clean up, and move along. ### The Difference Between Dumping and Deep Cleaning This is probably the fairest way to look at it. Dumping is a normal part of leaving a campground. Deep cleaning is maintenance. If nobody is waiting, a more thorough rinse is usually not a big deal. If a line is forming, that may not be the best time to do a full black tank cleaning routine. A quick rinse after dumping is one thing. Repeated flushes, tank treatments, extra hose work, and a long cleanout process are different. ### A Little Preparation Helps Some dump-station delays happen because people are doing everything for the first time when they pull up. Having gloves ready, knowing where the hose and fittings are, pulling forward enough for the next person when possible, and not blocking the station while reorganizing the storage bay can all help. That does not mean anyone should be rushed into making a mess. Dumping should be done carefully. But careful and slow are not always the same thing. ### The Practical Takeaway A full black tank rinse is reasonable when there is no one waiting. If several RVs are lined up behind you, the more courteous approach is to dump properly, do a quick rinse if needed, clean your hose and fittings, and avoid turning the dump station into a full tank-cleaning session. That does not mean anyone has to rush through the messy part or skip basic sanitation. You still need to dump safely, rinse your hose, secure your fittings, and leave the area clean for the next person. The middle ground is pretty simple: do what you need to do, but read the situation. If there is a line, save the deep flush, repeated tank fills, sensor cleaning, and extra maintenance for a slower time, a full-hookup site, or a dump station where nobody is waiting. Some RVers will say, “I have every right to take my time.” Technically, they may be right. But etiquette is not always about what you are allowed to do. Sometimes it is about not making five other people wait while you do a job that could be finished later. Good dump station etiquette comes down to this: handle the dirty work safely, leave the station clean, and be aware of the people behind you.