Agreed on the mfg's and their weight consciousness, they must be dreaming when stating some of those setups. IMO, most of that kind of foolishness is market driven. The customer is demanding lighter weights to be pulled by the family SUV or commuter truck.
What I see as unconscionable by the mfg.'s, is sacrificing durability and safety to accomplish their goals. A quick search of "Lippert frames" will turn up all sorts of horrors. I got lucky and got into an older rig that has a full box beam. She turned 41 last year and tows as straight as an arrow.
