When I got my 1-ton, like Grigg's, it had a 1/4 inch steel plate in the 9' bed. It road much softer than after I took it out. Or rather I and three friends took it out. When I was hauling gravel I didn't need the ballast. But now, loaded evenly, the front tires lock up in the snow long before the rears do.This is not good. Something to think about when adding a load just on the rear axle.