RAM,
This is why I pay the bucks for increased iCloud storage. The amount of money I had to spend for the extra storage is a worthwhile investment. It'd be different if it was super expensive. In this case, it's really pretty cheap.
Now, I do automatic backups to iCloud and manual backups to the local computer. That way, if one system fails, at least I have a fallback option. 'course, that I backup the computer backups is a different matter entirely. One way or the other, I can restore the ipad. Same goes for my iPhone.
Robert