This question is not for me but I am not far from having my pads changed. Someone I know is thinking of putting Ceramic pads on his truck. I used to think a middle of the road set of disc pads always worked great, not the cheapest or the most expensive, At times when things were tight the cheapest. Do ceramic work better or last longer?

I prefer to change my pads rather disc. cheapo pads wear out without wearing the discs too much.

Same here... I ran 185k on my OEM brakes and now heading to 300k on economy brake pads. Lot of people call me a cheater for having an exhaust brake. So why is it that I've got a 1996 Dodge 1500 (46RE auto, V8 5.9L) and kept brakes on that for over 160k miles? No exhaust brake on that truck. I've still got my OEM rotors yet on the 2002. 
 

@Me78569 is right you are best off with a low grade brake pads that will not eat the rotor. 

I had ebc green stuff, I think, ceramic, didn't like the stopping power loaded up. Rolled through a stop sign or two when there was significant weight in the bed. They heat up.

 

However, my 1/2 ton has ceramics with no issues, but I don't haul/tow the same weight as the dodgey.

I have ceramic on the front and they have been fine the year or more they have been on. I have not towed with them as of yet. I am little worried about from what I have read. Always pays to read first and but second. I did that backwards. I did get a good deal though.

Yeah, go with the cheap pads and save your rotors. This is especially true with an early model that requires tearing half the front axle apart to change rotors.

Cheap pads here. I go through them fairly quickly being stuck in the city, but I've never felt my brakes weren't good enough even with 15K behind me. 

I replaced my factory pads at 115k miles on the odometer with almost 1/4" of material left on them.  Bought OEM replacement quality from NAPA because I too am not one to buy the best brake parts since it usually means they're more aggressive to achieve more friction.  More friction means more wear on the rotors.

 

Yes, exhaust brakes do help too.  But as like Moparman, my vehicles dont go through brakes like I read where some do.  Usually I can get around 100k miles (or close to that) between brake pads.

Just replaced all my pads and shoes last summer with middle of the road Napa stuff. Have towed heavy with no issues.

I always buy the best, most expensive brake pads and shoes that Napa has.

I'd much rather change a rotor than have collision.

 

I like having a good firm petal with strong brakes.  Normally I get 50k or so out of pads