I saw on another thread that Scrapman is thinking about a toter home. Is that because of concerns towing with the 450?

I wouldn't think so, since it was just yesterday that he said he no issues what so ever. Probably just wants a toter for the extra space. I have towed with the Frieghtliner and the F450, I can tell little to no differences in how they handle the load. I think you need GOOD brakes on what ever you are towing. But as far as how the truck handles the load, the F450 does a great job.

Excellent! Someone who has towed with both and can comment. Thank you! Anyone who has towed with both (2008 F450 and medium or heavy duty) and does notice a big difference?

Towed my buddies 47 beaker for about 4 hours the other day. full steel frame trailer and trip 525's loaded w/ my 450 at 62-65mph. Did not even know the thing was behind me on I 75 from northern Michigan 2 south of Flint! My 1st long tow since I got the truck in the spring. Love it!!!!!~

Seems like everyone who has a 2008 ford F450 has been satisfied with its towing. It is significantly different than its predecessors with heavier axles, longer springs, commercial wheels and tires, and larger brakes as well as a new powertrain. I dont think this is all just hype from Ford Motor Company.

A Ford's a Ford and sooner than later somebody's going to tell you what a POS it is and how much money they lost on a trade for a FL or M2.

The only down side I've heard to the new F450 is fuel economy, but with any of these haulers there will be poor MPG

Ask the guys how many times they had to do a panic stop pulling those loads on the freeway/highway from an accident happeninging, some one loosing control, a construction vehicle pulling out if front of them. About the time you have to suck some leather up your azz for stoping to prevent from getting tangled up you will wish you had a bigger truck with that weight behind it. My c4500 has big brakes on it and I am now working on a Sportchassis to purchase for the equipment and stuff that I haul the 4500 handles it but the sportchassis handled it alot better when we got to demo it with a trailer hooked up. But a lot of people dont want to spend that type of money for a tow rig until it is needed then they wish they would have.

I have no doubt the 450 will do a fine job stopping a 20K load in a straight line on level dry pavement. The trailer is doing 90% of the work. Having rolled a 38TG over an embankment while towing it with a dually pickup gives me perspective that others might lack. The truck I was in was about equivalent to the 450 and the boat was significantly smaller. A moderate hit to the trailer from another vehicle on the highway was enough to send the whole thing careening and I was powerless to do anything about it. The boat just dragged the truck along for the ride. I've had some evasive maneuvers since I've been towing with the Freightliner and the truck yanks the boat wherever it wants to almost effortlessly. I had a truck pulling a loaded car trailer do a hard lane-change into me that literally peeled the entire side off of his truck and damged the trailer and my FL barely moved- all it did was crunch up the right front wheel and tweak the bumper end.

If you ask the questions enough, you'll eventually find someone who will tell you you can tow a 50 Searay with an F150.

Most of these custom mediums are derated to 26000 pounds to avoid the requirement of a CDL. Can they be purchased rated appropriately so that it is legal to tow heavy loads with them? From the insurance and liability perspective the RV licensing is not an effective approach to avoid claim denial if the vehicle is not rated to tow the load in question (even if it is derated)