You're right Chris,
as you know, base license is tare wt time 1.5 to the next highest ton. Manufactures warranty rating is just that, a warranty rating. Or in the case of the tow specs, a performance spec as to if it will climb a given percent grade in first and revers, hold a given percent grade with ebrake on, how fast on a given freeway grade percentage and not go below X mph......
Yep, all one has to do to not get an overweight ticket on the highway, is have enough paid for license tag. Along with meeting the items I mentioned above. You will not get an overweight ticket from someone in a scale house, portable rig, who've I've had the most pullovers from, weighed etc.
Marty