While I have the Surge Guard higher end one, I have never had any issues with it, so I have never called customer service to be able to report on them. I have heard good things about the Progressive Dynamics product. At the time I bought mine I did not know of that brand.
I'll add my thoughts for what I wrestled with about the portable verses the hard wired ones.
In my research on these, if the power line takes a heavy voltage hit, generally during a storm, the surge protector gives up it's life in the process to protect the camper. In some cases the surge protector has caught fire and burning at the power post... This is a concern with hard wired ones being in the camper, now it could be burning in the camper.
And on the portable ones, theft has been reported. Some have bought or created lockable devices to the power cord to help stint this nasty deed.
After weighing the options, I went portable even if it was more $$$. Knowing how high current can create instant high heat I could not come to grips with how to mitigate this risk when wired in the camper even if I buried it inside a steel enclosure.
The hard wired for sure has the benefit of being inside and out of the weather and the theft situation is about all but eliminated. Since both Surge Guard and Progressive make permanent mounted ones, my thoughts may be a remote possibility. It is just that I have seen what industrial arc flash events can happen and there is not much I can do to contain one in a camper. Maybe if you are thinking of going this way, call them and ask what type of testing have they done and will the unit catch fire if a lighting strike hits the line? This may help guide you as I did not call and made my own evaluation.
I created a plastic cover setup for the plug connection on the portable one and so far, I have not made it around to a locking setup. I upgraded my 30 amp plug to a Camco one with a handle and the Surge Guard lock cover will not fit. I'm at risk for theft, however where we normally camp, theft has not been an large concern so this risk is low in my case.
Hope this helps
John
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
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