How you would feel about getting onboard an airliner that was being operated above Airbus or Boeing's max load ratings should dictate how you feel about putting your family in a vehicle that is exceeding the manufacturer's ratings for all up weight.
Maybe it's OK once, maybe for an entire season, but we're talking about mean time to failure, and the outcome of the failure. You won't know what the results are until a failure occurs, and as with everything mechanical, it's not if, it's always when.
Maybe the failure is predictable - a blown transmission and you're coasting to the side of the road. Maybe the failure is less predictable though - In the rain, on a curve, with another vehicle tailgating you, when a wheel bearing seizes or an axle snaps, and you enter a skid.
Could either scenario occur below max load? Yes. Are you increasing the odds of either scenario occurring by operating outside manufacturer ratings & specifications? Yes.
__________________
-Scott
|