THE F250 XLT is fitted with vacuum power-assisted, dual-piston ventilated discs front and rear. The front discs measure 331mm in diameter and the rear 326mm. XLT model F250s are fitted with an anti-lock braking (ABS) system as standard while XL models get an interesting rear-wheel-only ABS. High-speed emergency brake testing showed the rear of the vehicle will behave itself and not try to overtake the front. In general driving situations the brakes are highly effective when the vehicle is unloaded and there is no noticeable kick-back through the pedal that is often associated with hard braking and ABS systems. The floor-mounted handbrake located between the driver's seat and the centre console is huge, and is best described as being similar to those used on steam-driven locomotives - but it does allow you to get leverage on the brake cable. (Perhaps Ford should have considered a foot brake instead.)