2015 powerstroke 440hp/860tq

Capt Skup wrote:
The 2015 Ford F-450 will up its maximum towing capacity by 6,500 pounds for a class-leading 31,200 pounds; gross combined weight rating increases by 7,000 pounds to a class-leading 40,000 pounds.

Read more: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/news/1403_2015_ford_power_stroke_440_hp_860_lb_ft_of_torque/#ixzz2vBlWhV00

When reading these numbers, I keep thinking of the guy that buys this truck to tow that much weight without any towing experience. Bringing 40,000lbs under control during emergency braking can certainly be a white knuckle experience. Are HD pickups quickly approaching the limits of conventional car/pickup licensing?

I think that was passed a while back. In many area 26,000# GCVW is the limit on a standard licensee. That is a 9,000# TV + a 17,000# trailer. Think about it, most states require a Motorcycle endorsement for a vehicle that weighs in most cases less than 800#, yet in most states anyone can get a TV and a large trailer and hit the road with 15,000# to now days about 37,000# with the RV exclusion in most states (once above 26,000# it may get a little grey).