I wasn't going to chime in, but there seem to be some misunderstanding of exactly what a safety margin is or isn't and how it might apply to us.
First of all, when limits or ratings are set for a TV, according to a Ford engineer who was interviewed on a car design (not truck but it still applies) was asked why top speed is limited for that vehicle. His answer was that above the limited speed, the probability of component failure in several areas was too high to be acceptable. What constitutes "too high" is, of course, not shared.
The point is that a TV is a complex system. That system has limits across multiple subsystems. The frame may be able to handle 5 times the MGVWR, but the springs can't. (Just examples, not facts). I can't think of anything that would be gained by decomposing the sources of the various limits on our TV's. The manufacturers have an incentive to make these ratings as high as possible, since truck purchasers are looking for the best payload and tow capacities. I worry that the margins of error may be made too small in order to accommodate the marketing department.
One thing I have learned from all these discussions is that many of us look for reasons to feel comfortable with pushing various TV limits. I can understand that. Trucks are very expensive and the thought of replacing that expensive item with an even more expensive one to support towing a TT or 5er is concerning.
