i have a regular passenger plate on my deuce, not antique. I've been pulled over once, for running a stop sign. Was given a verbal warning and nothing was said about weight. However, I do know that the passenger tag is good for 7,000 lbs, and i believe you are allowed to tow up to total of 9k combined, so i figure i'm only 5K over empty. No worries for me since i only haul my fat butt around. To fix the problem of weight, i am in the process of getting mine "converted" and titled as an RV. Then there is no weight limit, and I can tow in excess of 26K without a problem.
Is the antique tag cheaper than regular? Also, since your deuce is 35 years or older, run an actual antique plate on it (plate from the year your deuce was made) and keep your real license plate in the cab to show whenever you are pulled. The numbers on the plate don't go to you, and you can't tell from looking at it if it's weighted since in the 70's they didn't do that. Then you can also get parking tickets or blow the redlight cams with no worries of ever getting a ticket. I did learn that the one 1972 plate i have, the numbers are actual #'s being used on a current plate and registered like 2hrs away to a gravel company. Cop on the beach seemed suprised that i would drive that far, and it tool me forever to explain that the tag on the back is just the antique tag and my real one is in the glovebox, completely different #s.
[HB 704 was passed into law May 24, 1985 and amended G.S. 20-63(d). This bill allows owners of motor vehicles, 35 years or older, to display an 'antique' license plate which displays the year of manufacture. A current plate must be purchased and kept inside the vehicle.]