My trailer towing experience is limited to my 4x6 landscape trailer, but I've pulled it (with my old VW GTI no less) up to and a bit past its rated 1000lb capacity.

My experience is that a little weight on the tongue is actually a good thing as it seems to minimize swaying. IIRC, most of the guidelines I recall say that 10-15% of the total weight on the tongue is ideal.

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'04 E53 X5 4.4i
'05 Mazdaspeed MX-5
'00 Saab 9-3 SE Cabrio