Exceeding R GAWR?

Flapper wrote:
So I was explaining some of the information about weight and towing a fifth wheel that I had learned, when I was asked "What happens when you exceed the max for your rear axle?" I found that I didn't have a good answer. Overloading the tires is understandable. But what happens if you overload the rear axel (because that is the one most likely to be overloaded) by say 5% or so....?? All I can find are references that you never should do it. But no explanation as to what you will be endangering. And we're obviously not into a "test to failure" scenario, hence why I'm not asking about massive overweight conditions. Can anyone enlighten?

Each setup will be slightly different but I would say your order of limits is tires, suspension, brakes, axle components (housing/bearings).

Case in point is the current F-150, it has an axle that can support up to 4800lbs structurally. Not many F-150's have that capability according to the door sticker, so on the trucks that have a lower rating what could happen?

It's not going down the road all hunky-dory that will be an issue, it's what happens when you have to slam on the brakes. Overloaded tires won't provide the stability under heavy deceleration while going straight, let alone if one has to swerve. Then there is the suspension to consider, can the suspension provide the stability needed when the payload effect increases under heavy deceleration and swerving? Or will it induce body roll that decreases steering and braking?

So, with some research and proper upgrades it is possible to safety exceed the door sticker RAWR and be fine. Personally I will take my truck to 145% of the sticker RAWR, thou I am likely to hit my personal limit for GVWR first.

I don't know, thou am curious, how many different spring rates the F-150 has. Does it uses different rear springs based on RAWR? Or are they all the same?