In Idaho, and I assume other states are similar, the penalties for being overweight are based on how much weight you registered the vehicle to carry, with the caveat that personal travel trailers are exempt from the permitted max. I think my max total weight is 18,000 lbs, and for a few bucks more I could bump it higher. But since travel trailers are exempt and I likely would only go over 18,000 with a travel trailer, I'm fine. Should I ever have the need to exceed 18,000 lbs with a non-exempt trailer, the fix is a simple pro-rated fee down the street at the DMV.
Some state are and some are not. My state has no weight to register a non commercial truck or combination. Only a truck in commercial service has to be registered at a weight threshold.
People obsess too much about the payload stickers around here. You really just need to understand all the ratings of your vehicle, the reason for those ratings, and then use your head. Exceeding your payload in a half ton, or in some cases even staying within your stated payload limit, can put you over on your tire or axle ratings. Exceeding your payload in a diesel 3/4 ton is safe and can be done well within your tire and axle ratings.
Just use common sense, people!
100 percent X3.