Here are couple more easily verifiable facts.
If you trucks is rated to carry say tow 17,000 pounds SAFETY by SAE J2807 it must be able staying under both the GVWR and the GAWR of the truck. Here is my reference:
"5.4 GVWR/Rear GAWR and Tongue Weight/Kingpin Weight Considerations:
The tow vehicle shall be able to accommodate appropriate trailer tongue without exceeding Rear GAWR and/or GVWR.e and/or kingpin weight to attain a particular TWR Required minimum conventional trailer tongue weight shall be 10% of TWR and required minimum fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer kingpin weight shall be 15% of TWR."
TWR = Trailer Weight Rating
http://fifthwheelst.com/documents/to...ds-2016-02.pdf
Here is another one that listed in the tow guides and the truck's manual you carry in your glove box.
“5th-Wheel Towing Notes:
This information also applies to models with pickup box delete option (66D). Trailer kingpin load weight should be 15% of total loaded trailer weight. Make sure that the vehicle payload (reduced by option weight) will accommodate trailer kingpin load weight and the weight of passengers and cargo added to the towing vehicle. The addition of trailer kingpin load weight, and the weight of passengers and cargo,
must not cause vehicle weights to exceed the rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) or GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). These ratings can be found on the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label”
On Page 30
https://www.ford.com/services/assets...Duty&year=2018
This was sent to me by the GMC Fleet Manager when I ask about exceeding the GVWR of my GMC truck.
You may not give much thought about those figures while making short trips or carrying a couple of small items, but when it comes time to load your GMC with lots of passengers or cargo, it’s important to keep your GMC’s GVWR in mind. Failure to do so may result in you exceeding the GVWR and overloading your vehicle.
Overloading your truck or SUV can carry severe consequences, including:
Broken springs and suspension components due to excess weight
Brakes unable to stop the truck or SUV in a timely manner
Transmission and other driveline components may overheat and sustain serious damage
Unusual suspension behavior, making the vehicle hard to control
Tire temperatures rising to elevated levels, potentially leading to a blowout
https://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/how-to/...-weight-rating