I'd be carefull about loading too far forward. The front axle is close to max load with the CTD out there. Better to center it over the rear axle and keep an eye on your rear tires. The rear axle is rated at just over 6000 lbs. Typical truck empty has around 2500 lbs. Plenty of capacity there. Now don't get extreme, better to be slightly forward than too far aft!!! IMHO Ken Irwin

 

I sure wouldn't hesitate with 3500 lbs. in my bed. I've had close to that worth of steel, and it just rode a bit smoother. In comparison, my friend who plows several driveways and businesses with his '99 F-350 SRW typically purchases 6,000# of sand. Add in the sander and the Fisher plow hanging off the front and you get some major weight. All that is riding on only 4 E rated tires. I wouldn't drive around the state with it, but he's never had a problem since buying the truck new, and he just drives around town with it. Handling isn't a problem. I've driven the truck like that, and although you definately feel the weight, it drives and handles just fine.

Jim

 

I've got 30k+miles hauling a 4100 lb truck camper in the back of my '01.
It's overweight for the E range 16 in. tires (hence the 19.5's)
If you've got a 'camper pkg' on the truck, the rear axle is a Dana 80 rated 7500 lbs.

Be careful out there...