I opted to go with a 'pre factory fire' model for a couple of reasons. 1) there are a lot of really nice older units out there for a lot less money than new, they've been building these things for decades now 2) the 'post fire' models are larger and 250 lbs heavier (before adding any accessories).
My 1976 model (and those pre-dating the factory fire a number of years ago... after which they made a new, larger fiberglass mold) weighs only 950 lbs dry. That leaves a fair amount of room for the things often not counted in the weight... like spare tires/propane tanks/fridges/AC units/etc. I managed to roll over the cat scales right at 1,500 lbs, fully loaded for travel. I think there are some folks out there running considerably more than that, I guess they're doing just fine.
As for the electric brakes... on my lighter model which has no electric brakes... I've had no issues at all with stopping, and that includes the steep I-70 grades west of Denver (you WILL ascend at a snail pace with blinkers however, unless you really want to max the engine out)/switchback gravel roads of the Rockies... and I've made some abrupt stops on occasions. I just make sure my brakes are properly maintained/checked before going on long trips.