New to TT, Bit timid to tow ...?

ib516 wrote:
"Base dry weight" can be very misleading. Add a few options, and the weight will climb 500# easily. Now also remember that no one tows an empty RV around, it will forever have your stuff in it, so add another 500# minimum. So, what I'm saying is you can conservatively add 1000# to the extra light advertised weights and still likely be low for "real world" weight when loaded for a trip.

Another thing to keep in mind is the car manufacturers play the same numbers game. The "max tow rating" often assumes only one 150# driver, and no other passengers or cargo, which take away from that rating. Example - tow rating of 5000#, but add mom and the kids plus some cargo in the vehicle and you now have a 4500# tow rating.

Both of those RVs you are looking at are likely too big/heavy for those 5000# tow rating vehicles.

ib516 makes good points and his numbers are basically what I encountered with my camper.
To expand a little further on his thoughts, the car/truck manufacturers often state the max tow ratings based on the lighter tongue weights of boats. Maybe as little as 8%. A travel trailer might typically be 12% to 14%, so we can see this heavier tongue weight eats into payload and axle ratings.