Storage Skirts and Surge Guards

We purchased our new Outback about 3 months ago now. On they day we took delivery we purchased the 30 amp version of the Surge Guard: and it's been plugged in every since. Had a new 30 amp line run at home and keep it plugged in to the protector all the time now.

It's kind of like adjusting to wearing seat belts for some of us older timers. We grew up in the era where seat belts were not required, then by law, we had to wear them much later. We all struggled and it felt very uncomfortable. But NOW, if the seat belt is not latched, it makes (me) feel unsecured, vulnerable, and exposed. I've never had a wreck in all my life and hope I never will. But when I sit in the car now, it just feels so much safer.

The exact is the same for my new surge protector! I can't believe I used 1 pup and 2 TT's without one now! I was "lucky" that nothing ever fried my TT circuits!

Get the protector. Once you use it, you'll feel the same way!

Surge guard is a must. I have been contemplating a skirt for one major reason. The newer electric awnings are less durable than the manual ones. We often have to retract ours to prevent wind & rain damage. I'd like to just store everything there and not worry about it getting wet if we have to put the awning up.

"....yet to encounter a campground where we had voltage/amperage issues(at least to my knowledge) ."

Then-in lies the problem.....you are not monitoring the voltage so you really don't know if it went hi/lo. With the proper EMS (Energy Management System) it will protect from surges, hi/lo voltage conditions, test the power source for proper wiring and with a remote you can see the voltage.

We FT and have one........it has shutdown power source on a couple of occasions due to LOW voltage conditions which can be very harmful to the A/C Unit motor(s). And it has identified a few power pedestal wiring problems----open neutral.

If you choose one get the Progressive Industries Brand----Lifetime Warranty (Surge Guard Brand only 1 year).

Skirting.........personal choice. I choose not to have one. We travel weekly vs prolonged stays and I just don't care about adding to my set-up/tear down routine.
Anything we have outside is OK to be outside...rain, snow, sleet and/or sunshine so I don't worry about them.

FT RVng is ALL about NOT worrying :B

I don't have a surge guard but I have had a storage skirt on my last two fifth wheels. As I am a winter Texan I use it when I am parked for a extended stay. We keep a small chest freezer, my fishing gear box and chairs ect underneath. We wouldn't be without it.

Agree with kakampers. Get the surge guard. They are pricy, but not as much as a new converter, TV, AC, microwave, stereo, and anything else plugged into a 120V AC circuit that goes awry.

Our 5th wheel came with full skirting from the previous owner. We have only used the front skirting and would not be without it. We store all the camp site gear in it at night or when we are away. So everything stays dry and out of sight but easy to get when needed.

As for a surge guard we also have one. The main reason is that some years ago we were in a campground during a storm and there was a surge. Our television was damaged and others there lost many appliances. It was all covered by the utilities insurance but we were without the television during the interim and had to take it out for repairs ourselves. Also, it will detect problems as mentioned.

I would get the surge guard...lost count of how many times ours detected issues. Problem is you won't know you have a low voltage problem till it ruins your AC and other appliances.