I started this thread with the hope that I would get some insight on a couple of things:
1. What exactly is done to "create" a more capable vehicle when an aftermarket modification is made to the vehicle. i. e. limo stretch or equipment mods that significantly change the vehicle. For all the discussion of what is legal on this site regarding tow weights, no one seems to say much about these vehicles... . when in fact some are significantly changed from stock. I have not read any discussion regarding suspension changes. How safe is it to raise a vehicle over the manufacturers original height. How about all the folks putting on the "leveling" kit. All of these mods are outside the scope of the manufacturers original design. Would that not "void" your insurance if you were in an accident..... don't these mods change the handling characteristics of the vehicle?
2. What is the vehicle "really" built to haul? To say these vehicles are not over built is essentially up for debate. In 2006 the GCVW for a 2500 was 20,000 lbs. The 3500 is 23,000, and that is for both the SRW and DRW. What is the true difference between the vehicles? Overload leafs in the rear springs for the SRW! So what did DC change on the 2007 3500's to raise the GCVW to 24,000? You would be hard pressed to say the increase in HP allowed the increase.
I have researched several state motor vehicle codes regarding weight and towing restrictions. For the most part they are focused on limits regarding roadways and not the vehicles themselves. The occasional tire or axle reference, but not much more. I did run across a prohibition of suspension modifications for Colorado. Sorry guys, by those rules, any lift or leveling kit puts us in violation. I am still looking at Federal statutes regarding vehicle design and operations, but have not run across anything interesting yet. As far as state statutes, what I have seen is a couple of references to manufacturer axle and GCVW. What was stipulated in the regs was, you cannot exceed the tire weight, but can exceed the GCVW if you pay for the privilege. I never did see any specific prohibitions regarding private vehicles and weights. Everything I came across was specific to commercial vehicles. What I suspect is, you can be stopped and cited for anything the officer may find unsafe in his opinion. There are always catch-all regs to allow the odd situation where there is not a specific statute covering the situation. If anybody is interested, you can be satisfied that just about all of us can be cited for any change to our vehicles that is not specifically approved by the manufacturer if it can be proved (in the opinion of the citing official) that it may affect safety or be a violation covered under any state regulation. That would include everything from a brite box install to window tint. If you are involved in an accident, anything that has been done to your truck may be brought into question by your (or the other person's) insurance company.
As far as the point of this thread is concerned, I am satisfied that the debate will continue as long as we have something cool, or fun to do to our trucks. It appears that, depending on the state (or country), the regulations regarding what or how much you can tow legally will vary. As far as the liability is concerned, it again depends on the state and insurance company. My insurance company is aware that I tow a large trailer with a 2500. I specifically told them when I insured the trailer.
After all is said, I am sitting here wondering about 2 ton difference in vehicle weight between my truck and a new 3500. Not to many answers forth coming regarding the facts, although a few folks weighed in on the fact that a 2500 missing a couple of leafs in the rear springs was unsafe and not designed to tow more than the sticker weight on the door jam. Personally I thought the statement "Purchase a vehicle that is engineered to haul the intended load in the first place. Over loaded vehicles are an accident waiting to happen", while well intentioned, did not address reality (within the context of this thread) when it comes to the differences between the 2500 and 3500. My 2500 "is" engineered to haul 24,000 lbs as safely as a 3500 (taking into account the rear springs). The tag on the door says 20,000 lbs, but this does not reflect the true capacity of this vehicle.
We will never have consensus on what is appropriate regarding what we do with our vehicles. Because we are not all clones, we all have different opinions on what we should do, and what is safe. The best thing about TDR is we have the opportunity to solicit the opinions of thousand of folks all over the country about our vehicles and use. I learn something new every time I read a thread, and enjoy every opinion regardless of the fact that it may not be in line with my own. My personal feeling is that, everyone is correct regarding the opinions expressed because they are telling me what they use as their guide. I can disagree, but that does not make me right. I just want to say thanks to everyone that weighed in on this thread. Especially to those that think I am way off base in my opinions. You are the ones that give pause to those of us doing the (crazy?) things we do. I can’t say I have learned as much from those who agree with me.
I think I should change my handle to longwinded……
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
