"To be really clear the GVWR and GAWR are
regulatory numbers and can't be changed. This doesn't mean that you can't significantly improve your vehicles load carrying capacity or that bad things will necessarily happen if you were to exceed these numbers. Vehicle manufacturers don't provide their analysis on how they arrive at these numbers, but it is some combination of engineering, lawyering and marketing. But a couple points to consider:
1. The load you put on a vehicle is a continuum - the more weight, the more wear, the lower the efficiency, the slower the braking. This is true regardless of being above or below the GVWR.
2. You can get a ball park idea of what the manufacturer thinks the engine, radiator, transmission, and diffs can handle by looking at the vehicle tow rating. None of these care if the weight is in the bed or in a trailer.
3. When consider your margin on weight, remember it is a percentage of total vehicle weight, not payload rating. If you are 500lb (or 40%) over payload on your Tacoma, you are 8% over gross weight.
4. You
can increase the load carrying capacity of the wheels, tires, suspension and shocks through upgrades, but this doesn't change the GVWR.
5. The more weight you carry the more conservatively you need to drive and the more you need to pay attention to maintenance.
6. Use good judgement - just because you are over GVWR doesn't mean it is unsafe, but also just because you are under doesn't mean it IS safe. "
Well stated Rando.
DMWI....
I have a '05 Tundra Access Cab SR5 4x4 w/ OEM Tow and Winter packages...same 4.7 v8 as you...added air bags and Hellwig Anti-sway bar...removed rear seats and tail gate...bought a full-boat loaded '16 Hawk...damn near every option...removed lifting jacks...Currently with "C" rated Toyo ATII [next year going to "E" rated in same tire]..
The handling is great, braking is slower and fuel economy down but not a lot...mostly off road Oregon,Nevada, Utah....
Your call on selling a new unused Hawk...but just my take...the sky is not falling and you may be missing a great combo....we love our Hawk and the Tundra is first cabin..we expect many years and miles of off road exploring with them.
Only my experience based on 2 years of FWC use...and I could be wrong..