Ceramic pads are generally less noise prone than other substrates and
produce less dust (the dust they do produce is quite a bit lighter than
other materials making what dust there is harder to see).

The few product info sheets I have seen seem to recommend NOT using ceramic
pads if you tow. Not sure if that's an issue with heat loading
characteristics or wear problems in high loading.

I am not sure if they require any special rotor finish... I would think that
the usual non-directional finish should be more than adequate.

My personal choice is good quality semi-metallic pads..... decent service
life, quiet if broken in according to the manufacturers requirements and
good performance in panic stops or towing applications.

HTH.