we really appreciate the feedback and posts from everyone. you have given us some things to think about. just to clarify, our concern is "legal" from an insurance standpoint. if something were to happen, we want to be sure we would be covered or would the insurance deny us saying we were overweight? we are not sure if they would go by the GVWR or the GAWR. does anybody happen to know the answer?
You will be better served asking your insurance agent/company this question. We can't help you. I suspect I and many others here know the answer you will receive when you ask if it is OK to load the truck 1200 pounds over payload and gross as it relates to insurance coverage and possible claims. But, please let us know their answer.