THis is over played because if you look at the rear suspension 90's
Doge, Ford or GM truck, you will find that there is less springs back
there now with a higher rated GVW to boot. Just because it says it on
the door does not always make it so.  I no of noone ever busted for
being over GVW with a P/U (other than licesned weight for tags). You
to major concerns with pressing GVW's is spring capacity and tire
capacity with the later the most important for saftey. The axles,
frames and brakes are that same. I have a 2000 K3500 SRW that is only
"rated at 9200 GVW but it has more spriongs for the factory than a new
2500 HD with same GVW rating. I have had it past 10k many time in
winter with no problems at all with handling or stopping abilty and it
will carry a load well that will make a like "rated" 2500HD squat
badly. YOu can not always take factory rating as the gosphel because
on some model they are more focused on ride quailty for sales than
real laod capacitry. Lok at a pre 88 GM 1500 4x4 and you will find 4
leaf and a booster in rear, on a 88 thru 99 3 leafs and a booster and
current models two leafs and a booster (same leaf width and thickness
too). Other brands have done simulair and likewise you will see the
same of "less is better" other the years with 3/4 models too. THis is
okay if you want a softer riding truck but you do not pad the rating
to a higher GVW like Detriot has for sales while doing it. ALso take a
1500HD and a 2500HD, same tires springs and chassis yet one is rated
8600 and the other is 9200 and common sense would tell you that the
9200 would have atleast another leaf but it does not. THe rear axle is
different (the 1500HD 9.5 will handle about 3 ton well and the 2500 HD
will handle 4ton but you will exceed true spring capacty before you
even come close overloading the 3 ton axle. Some do not like to hear
this though because they want to believe otherwise.
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The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com