80% is 80%
As you diplomatically put it, I will preface this with "No disrespect intended"...
The 80% guideline applies to all situations. The advantages of a TM's light weight still apply, even if you are adhering to the 80% guideline. A comparably sized 30 ft hard sided travel trailer could weigh 7500 pounds, or more, meaning you would need 9000 lbs of towing capacity. And this doesn't even account for the significant increase in wind resistance of a full sized TT when towing.
The benefits of light weight and less resistance for TMs are real. And they do enable an entire class of vehicles (like my Pacifica) as safe TVs. But it doesn't mean that you can tow them safely with anything...
All that being said, as my signature indicates, I am working beyond the 80% guideline right now. It is something that we are very conscious of, so we choose locations carefully and pack accordingly. We intend to upgrade our TV within the year to enable a broader range of locations and longer trips.
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