Using a surge protector or not

X2, Our progressive surge protector saved our old 5th wheel a year ago when the plug attached to the trailer melted down,
the progressive industries surge protector saved the day, cut the power to the trailer .....

When we bought our new 5er the 1st thing I did is buy the progressive surge protector, hands down it is worth every penny
you spend on it

I don't have a surge protector, perhaps I should. If you think about it, protecting a cheap TV and microwave with an expensive device may not gain you much. I use an autoformer that has some surge protection and will keep the air conditioner running when the voltage drops. Low voltage will kill an AC and a expensive surge protector will just shut you down completely if the voltage drops. The aforementioned plug meltdown is a case for using an expensive device that is capable of disconnecting power, cheap versions will not disconnect.

I am probably going to purchase one next month after I bring my spree escape back home from winter storage, leaning towards a outside portable. That plugs into campground pole, since space is rather tight to try try mounting a hardwire, just debating on if I want to dish out $250 for the progressive ind. ems. Or a somewhat cheaper model. not sure if my converter has built in surge protection of any sort already , and. The trailer is not overloaded with expensive electronics , basically 2 way fridge, roof air, and a cheap microwave at most. But figure why not still protect it. My wife,s good friend. Purchased a barely used class c , and she fried her,s and had to rewire the whole coach, a lot of $$ ,by not using one.

Yes, definitely get one says me, an EE.  For all the money you paid for the trailer plus all the other accessories and things you buy for it, these are pretty cheap insurance. FWIW, they aren't a "surge suppressor". Progressive Industries calls theirs an "EMS" while their competitor's name is Surge Guard and they call their line of surge protectors and power protection "surge protection". Confusing and annoying!  

An EMS/power protection unit monitors the incoming voltage and connection for a range of parameters. Low voltage is probably the most common you will run into and as mentioned, not good for an AC and can seriously damage them. An EMS includes monitoring for reverse polarity, open ground and open neutral which can be dangerous and even lethal. The Progressive Industries EMS is by far the better one - made in the US and has a lifetime warranty and is technically a bit better. We were at a Thousand Trails CG in Or. 2 seasons ago and our EMS shut us down on low voltage. I was trying to figure out why and didn't notice at first that we also had a simultaneous open ground! Their general purpose handyman/come electrician insisted it was perfectly fine because he had just replaced the receptacle.   Glad we had an EMS.  If you frequent older CGs like Thousand Trails, you will run into power problems sooner or later.  

I think the hardwired is the better way to go but some say a portable is best. With hardwired you don't have to drag it out every time, it's not exposed to the elements, won't walk away and is one less connection in the shore power cord to pedestal that can potentially overheat. In our 262RKS, the converter/panel is in the end of a dinette seat and there was a space beside it just large enough for the PI EMS and was an easy install. Different models will of course have different converter/panel locations and sometimes there won't be a space beside or near it. You can get the remote LED display but I find it really annoying to have it constantly scroll through the readings and mounted inside an upper cabinet so I can easily see a fault code if needed. I also installed a permanent LED voltmeter in the kitchen near the entry door so I can always keep tabs on the voltage at any time. If we get to a CG and the voltage is on the low side, we also have an autoformer but have only had to use it a few times a season. Another good thing to have for sure.