If you post the specs on your TV many on the forum can give you a good idea of what you can tow. The weak point with ½ tons is payload; you’ll run out of that before you reach any of the other ratings. You’ll find you will have to choose between features you want; everything is a compromise with RV’s.
When you get near the 30’ area you’ll have lots of space and amenities and comfort. Sort of like a mobile motel room. The tradeoff is you’ll have limitations on where you can go. Some scenic roads and less developed campgrounds will be off limits. You choice of campsites will be reduced too, and you’ll likely have to make reservations to ensure you can get a site.I don’t think many people buy a big unit to dry camp either; they’ll want hookups for the most part. Most campgrounds don’t have hookups, e.g., Yellowstone and the Tetons only have one cg each with hookups so many people stay in commercial cg’s outside the park.
Small and light gives you far more flexibility as far as finding camp sites and they’re easier to tow, especially if you do much mountain driving. The tradeoff there of course is the reduced space and amenities. You’re the only one who can balance off the pros and cons and settle on a unit that you’re happy with.
I view 30’ plus units as one end of the bell curve. I’m on the other end. My goal is to get well back into national forests and I have a 16’ TT. I routinely can get a spot in the parks without reservations even in prime season and it’s a piece of cake to pull even in the mountains. But I don’t have the comfort and features of a big rig, which is OK with me, in my view I’m camping and comfort isn’t my top priority.
If you’re looking at 30’ units you wouldn’t be happy with mine. If I wanted as much space as possible and still wanted a lot of flexibility to find sites I’d look at 25’ and less units. You would have more opportunities for campsites and less restriction on where you could go.
This being your first TT I’d suggest you seriously consider a nice, late model used one. Most people find, after they’ve used it for awhile, their first choice isn’t what they really want and they replace it with something more suitable. Considering the rapid depreciation of RV’s, that can get expensive if you’re buying new. Good luck on your decision.
