Towing weight limits

M.A.Taylor wrote:
We have a relatively new to us 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N. It's docs say that it's towing weight limits are 5000 pounds with a 350 tongue weight. What does that mean exactly?

We have a Dodge Ram 1500 that I have towed about 5000 miles already with a Blue Ox tow bar. A quick internet search says the truck weighs about 5500 pounds.

We also have a Subaru Forrester XT that has to be towed on a trailer. The trailer car combo will weigh a little over 5700 pounds.

Am I making a serious mistake towing either of these setups?? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Specs mentioned are for the hitch receiver only.
Doubt that the extra will hurt anything structurally, but have a shop inspect and maybe beef it up some.
Bigger concern is the engine and especially the tranny for overheating if too far out of specs. and this can be determined by subtracting your rigs fully loaded weight from it's rated GCWR.
Even with that being over max, the only real effect, will be on long 6% grades and more, especially in hot weather, so either disconnect or pull to the extreme right and do it in low gear, under 25mph. This will give you 25% more pulling power all around in most cases.
Just MO and if these types of overloads always spelled disaster, then you'd be hearing about them with every minute of every day.
Do have a toad braking and breakaway system installed for sure and would recommend NSA'S READYBRAKE or the complete READYBRUTE/ELITE if you don't already have tow bars. The READYSTOP breakaway is optional and doesn't come with either.