Where do you guys think the deck weighs 300 lbs? with ramp or without? Is the deck made of marshmallows? No chance for a 500 lb sled that has fuel. Easily closer to 600 each topped up with tunnel bag etc.
Payload is measured without things like spare tire, passenger, fuel, gear, etc. I don't know how many times we gotta say this - take the truck and sled to the scale and weigh it. Stop playing paper math and just go do it, most guys won't because they are afraid of what the answer might be, but its the best way. Full of fuel, throw a jerry can in the back, almost like you were going riding. Pretty sure you won't have the 700 lbs you think you do.
Again I don't have a deck or I would but I don't want to buy one just to weigh it. And whats an aluminum deck weigh? I assumed we were talking about those. I don't haul anything on my sled either no tunnel bag etc. I was only asking because my truck has a way higher payload then most. In Montana where I ride I see tons of new 1500 dodges with decks and id imagine they are the worst trucks for that with coils in the rear. Not saying this makes it ok to do either but id feel way more comfortable with them on mine vs the 1300lb payload dodge at lleast mines in the ballpark of being legal