[notanlines]

Chris, your comment "one cord melted into a gooey mess" bears some discussion. I believe if that were literally true that the power load would be well-exceeding the amp/voltage rating for the cord. We have had 30 amp and a number of 50 amp RV's, but have never had a power cord heat up, much less overheat even on 100 degree days with both AC's cooking. Power cords on 5th-wheels and others are simply pulled out the required distance and no more thought given to it. We have camped absolutely adjacent to power poles where the cord is only pulled four feet, and no heat build up.
The situations of which you speak need some investigation.