Find out what the published "limits" are for that particular vehicle and you will have your answer. The way I see it, there is nothing wrong with towing right up to the "limits". Whether or not that exceeds your own personal limits is up to you to decide. Some people like to tow a popup with a diesel dually, others don't mind towing right up to or even over the limts - that's all your personal limits and up to you. I've towed right up to the limits and was perfectly satisfied there. I'm now closer to pulling a popup with a diesel dually and still satisfied. There is no doubt that "cushion" makes towing easier in some ways; that can be a good thing and a bad thing. But sometimes you got to do what you got to do.