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Happy Camper Tank Treatment Review

(Camp Addict does NOT accept payment from any company to review or endorse their products.)

Kelly Headshot

By Kelly Beasley

When I first decided to buy and live in an RV, I did ALL the research. I didn't realize how much there was to know about happy campers living in an RV! (Haha... get it?)

Part of that research involved looking for things to keep my black and grey tanks odor-free.

During that search, I found something called Happy Campers tank treatment.

I asked my mom about it as she had been living in her RV for 18 years. She said she used it in her tanks in Florida, so I thought, "great!"

Happy Camper toilet treatment

I went ahead and made a purchase on Amazon and soon had some to use in my rig.

But as I did long ago, you have questions:

  • What does Happy Camper do?
  • Is it a necessary gray tank and black tank treatment?
  • Will your RV tanks be OK without it?
  • And how well does environmentally friendly Happy Camper holding tank treatment work?

In this Happy Camper tank treatment review, I'll share what I learned about it and tell you what Marshall found in our 15 years of combined RVing experience!

What Is Happy Camper Tank Treatment?

Happy Camper is a product you add to your RV's black water storage tank and/or grey water holding tank to control odors.

It also claims to break down solids (the 'lovely' human waste kind). Here is all the company discloses about ingredients:

"There are nine trace elements and two heavy elements that make up a highly concentrated blend of minerals and micronutrients."

They seem pretty secretive about the ingredients. I suppose they don't want a copycat product out there.

But they claim it's non-toxic, all-natural, and without harsh chemicals (for example, formaldehyde) that are found in some tank treatments.

The product claims to eliminate holding tank odors, and it also digests waste products such as TP, food particles, and, well, poo!

It is designed to help keep tanks cleaner and keep sewer smell and grey tank odors at bay.

Using a scoop of Happy Camper RV tank treatment should eliminate any smells that waft into your living area.

Note: This product used to be called "Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment," but the word "organic" has since been dropped from the name. Things that make you go, hmmm.

Happy Camper toilet treatment
Happy Camper toilet treatment
Happy Camper toilet treatment

Doesn't Ship To California

  • Due to California Senate Bill 317, which went into effect 1 January 2022, Happy Campers can no longer be shipped to the state of California.

We reached out to Happy Campers about this, and here is their reply:

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. California recently updated laws & regulations for sewage waste disposal. Though our product does not contain any of the restricted ingredients listed below from Sb317:

The State of California prohibits the use of products in RV holding tanks, including deodorizers, that contain bronopol, dowicil, formalin, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde, para-dichlorobenzene, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene glycol, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, or perchloroethylene.

*Some of the verbiage regarding non-biodegradable elements is broad enough to restrict our product.

If we were to change our formula to be compliant with California we find the product would be less effective while tripling the price.

Do You Need To Use An RV Tank Treatment?

The answer to this is a bit controversial in the recreational vehicle world.

It boils down to whether you have odors in your RV and/or if you care if your black water tank sensor (and sometimes grey tank) works or not.

I, Kelly, have not relied on mine for years. My black tank toilet sensors haven't worked in 5+ years, but I care not.

I had them 'fixed' by a service center early on. But they quickly 'broke' again, and I didn't bother with it after that.

I learned how long my RV wastewater holding tanks could go before I needed to dump them.

Honestly, it has been so long that I don't recall whether I was using Happy Camper enzyme religiously in my toilet or other tank at that time or not.

My grey RV holding tank sensors still work just fine, and I haven't used anything for at least four years.

Other RV owners use treatments religiously and claim they kept their sensors clear of toilet paper.

There are two significant benefits of using the best RV holding tank treatment:

  1. Odor control, IF necessary. (Your RV may have no black tank odor.)
  2. It MAY help keep the tank less "goopy", thus possibly keeping sensors clear. (They have another product to use for sensor cleaning/debris removal.)

There's no reason to use a tank treatment in your holding tanks other than those two problems.

Personally, my RV is odor-free (except for that time I stayed in Florida heat), and I don't care if my toilet tank sensors work or not.

Kelly's RV in a year round RV park

That time I stayed in Florida for five months...

So yes, the last time I used the Happy Campers holding tank treatment was when I was parked in Florida for about five months in the summer a couple of years back.

It eliminates odors, and that issue became a problem in the heat.

Otherwise, I haven't needed Happy Camper RV treatment or any other treatment for my tanks.

Whether or not you want to use this or another waste tank treatment is up to you.

It does liquify toilet paper and human waste, so if you are worried about clogs, it might behoove you to use a treatment. I don't put any toilet paper down my RV toilet. (Do you have to use RV toilet paper?)

Why? Because it saves tank space, and I have zero chance of getting a clog.

How Does Happy Camper Work?

Happy Camper claims that they have a "highly concentrated blend of minerals and micronutrients" to break down solids and stop odors.

It effectively creates a mush, which is best so your tanks do not clog. It might also help keep your RV sensors clear.

Buy Happy Campers Tank Treatment

Not Available In California

Does Happy Camper Clean Sensors?

Happy Camper RV treatment may help keep your sensors clean if you start with working sensors. However, if your sensors aren't currently working, there is a better procedure on how to clean RV holding tank sensors.

Marshall has used this procedure to clean his sensors, and currently, they are reading tank levels as they should be.

Is Happy Camper Toxic?

Happy Camper RV holding tank treatment is non-toxic.

It's a biodegradable, environmentally friendly, cost-effective holding tank treatment for your toilet tank or other holding tanks.

It contains no dangerous chemicals, so you can rest easy that you and your family are safe while using this treatment.

Kelly's RV toilet

What Is Happy Camper Used For?

Happy Camper RV tank cleaner controls tank odors and breaks down solids that might clog the drainpipe when dumping your tanks.

Sometimes toilet odors and even gray tank odors can be problematic. Happy Camper tank treatment is highly effective when used in your RV holding tanks to stay odor-free.

It's especially great for those who need to dump their tanks at a campground that requires that you use biodegradable septic tank-friendly products.

How Long Does It Take Happy Camper To Work?

Happy Campers holding tank treatment works quickly. The manufacturer claims "you should notice its effect within minutes."

Not sure what they mean by that- does it start masking odors in minutes?

Or does it start breaking down in minutes? If breaking down, how would anyone notice what they cannot see?

In tests performed by various Youtubers, they show solid waste such as dog food becoming liquified within two hours. That's good enough for us!

Kelly's kitchen faucet running

Does Happy Camper Holding Tank Treatment Really Work?

From personal experience, we can tell you that yes, Happy Camper sewer treatment works.

We have used it personally, mostly when toilet odors have been a problem, such as my experience with the Florida heat.

And yes, this powder tank treatment curbed the RV sewer smell quickly.

Yes, it does break down solids into liquids, potentially avoiding any issues with clogs, primarily concerning your toilet tank.

How Do You Use Happy Camper RV Holding Tank Treatment?

It couldn't be easier to use Happy Camper treatment!

Black Tank Instructions:

  • Add one single scoop of the Happy Camper black tank treatment powder to a 40-gallon tank.
  • Mix with one gallon of water.
  • Flush.
  • Add a couple more gallons, and you're good to go.
  • If you have a smaller tank, put a bit less in (both water and Happy Camper cleaner) and vice-versa.

Gray Tank Instructions:

  • Mix 1/2 scoop of Happy Campers holding tank treatment with water in the kitchen sink or shower and wash it down the drain.

As you can see, you can use Happy Campers RV holding tank treatment in your septic tanks (black) or your gray holding tank. It's a powder treatment so that it will flush or rinse right down without the need to put chemicals into your tank.

Your toilet will thank you that no smells are coming from it! Or your spouse will thank you, haha!

Buy Happy Campers Tank Treatment

Not Available In California

Should I Add Some To My Tanks When Storing My Camper?

We don't recommend using Happy Campers toilet chemical in a stored camper. It would be best to empty your tanks before putting your rig into storage so that you don't end up with dried-out tanks.

There's no need to put any RV holding tank treatment into empty tanks.

Kelly's RV in full time RV park

Conclusion

Happy Camper tank treatment is the perfect solution for curbing odors and possibly keeping your tank sensors clear. It's an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.

Adding Happy Camper products into your black and gray tanks guarantees your RV will be odor-free.

It also helps break down toilet paper and other toilet 'bits' that may cause an issue with your sensors.

So, if odors are a problem for your recreational vehicle, keep them at bay using this Happy Camper holding tank treatment!

  • Like learning about handling RV waste? And let's be real - who doesn't?? LOL! Check out what else we have here on Camp Addict.
Kelly Headshot

I dedicated myself to living the full-time RV life for over 6.5 years, immersing myself in the unique quirks and joys of the boondocking lifestyle and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way. In December 2020, my business partner and I made the transition to part-time RVing, but in January 2023, we hit the road once again, this time in our trusty vans. My mission is to help others embrace the RVing lifestyle with confidence and excitement, armed with the knowledge and resources needed to make the most of their adventures. I believe that the more you know, the more you can truly appreciate and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.

  • How can you echo the corporation’s claim that it’s biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and has no dangerous chemicals if you don’t know the ingredients?

    • Hi Will,

      Well, we have to trust the manufacturer, don’t we? They state they only use trace elements and two heavy elements in the product. That’s it. And elements are natural.

      Just like anything else you buy, you have to trust that what is on the label or what they tell you is in it, is in it.

  • I tried to order Happy Camper from Amazon but according to Amazon, it cannot be delivered to any California address. What’s up with that if Happy Camper does not contain any dangerous chemicals? I am disappointed as it sounds like a good product.

    • Hi Sally,

      Thanks for visiting Camp Addict and for the comment!

      Great question! I didn’t have the answer so I reached out to Happy Campers. This is the reply I received:

      “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. California Recently updated laws & regulations for sewage waste disposal. Though our product does not contain any of the restricted ingredients listed below from Sb317:

      The State of California prohibits the use of products in RV holding tanks, including deodorizers, that contain bronopol, dowicil, formalin, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde, para-dichlorobenzene, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene glycol, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, or perchloroethylene.

      *Some of the verbiage regarding non-biodegradable elements is broad enough to restrict our product.

      If we were to change our formula to be compliant with California we find the product would be less effective while tripling the price.”

  • I have been using Happy Campers for several years, and love it. It liquifies water, I have no odor problems, and highly recommend it. However, I recently tried to purchase some more, and no one will ship it to California any longer!? What the heck?

    • Hi Gary,

      Great to hear you’ve had good success with Happy Campers!

      No idea on the California situation as we don’t live in that state. When you say nobody, do you mean the company itself? Have you contacted them directly to ask what is up?

      Thanks for visiting Camp Addict and best of luck getting a new supply of Happy Campers!

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