Then do it. The vast, vast majority of people with the 10R80 are quite happy. I love mine... I also keep it in sport mode 100% of the time, so it doesn't skip gears - it sure seems to me that a lot of the "clunkiness" people complain about is related to gear-skipping.

As mentioned above, you might consider a Lariat. It seems yuppie as hell, but I really enjoy my push-button start, auto climate control, etc.

 

This is the first truck i've owned with a 36 gallon tank. Will never buy another without a large tank.

 

2019 3.5 owner here. 4300 miles in 4 months. No complaints. No issues.

 

I own the exact package you are looking for but in an '18. Just passed 5k miles. With a tune the engine and trans both come to life, love my truck.

 

Thanks for the replies!

The towing I do is either a utility trailer (no brakes needed) or boats (5-6k lbs) that have hydraulic / surge brakes on the trailer. We are looking to start doing more family camping soon with a travel trailer, hence the new need for a TBC (and 36 gal fuel tank would be nice as well). The 2.7 would probably work just fine 99% of the time. Historically I have purchased vehicles and kept them 10yrs minimum. Getting the 3.5 would help future proof the truck and avoid the situation I am in now (regretting not getting 4x4).

I did go and test drive a 503A Lariat last week. I was a bit underwhelmed in regards to cost and also the distinct difference in the way it felt weight wise (compared to my current truck). There are two main things there I want, leather and adaptive cruise control. I was unimpressed with the AC seats and all I have seen have the moonroof, which I do not want (brother in law has it and had many issues with it). That said, figured I would save 10k and get XLT (add leather after for 1.2k). Call me crazy, but I like the simplicity of my XLT gauge cluster / climate controls / etc over some of the upper trim stuff. Just me.

Going to test drive XLT today ... we'll see. Mainly concerned about 10spd trans.

 

Do you have a size travel trailer in mind? When people start talking about family camping and a travel trailer, that's a big sign that the reduced payload capacity of a 2.7 truck might be a deal breaker.

There is no such thing as 503A. The Lariat goes 500A, 501A, 502A. The one with LED headlights is 502A

The seats aren't really A/C, they are ventilated. They pull in air from the cabin

Too many of the higher trim level trucks, starting around where you are looking, come with the rattle roof, that can make finding the right lot truck a little more work

I guess different people have different definitions of simplicity. To me, using one **** to go up/down on temperature and not having to ever touch anything else, even as it gets hotter or colder outside or the system catches up or falls behind, etc, is simplicity...having to manually adjust temp, and fan speed, and vents being used, and change it as I go as conditions change etc, is the opposite of simple. To each their own

Stop worrying about the transmission.

You will likely save legitimately around $10k going with a 302A vs a 502A. That's almost enough to get a 5.0 and drop a supercharger on it, or get an EcoBoost and do your aftermarket leather, bedliner, tonneau, wheels, tires, suspension lift, tune, exhaust, tint...the whole deal.

 

Not specifically at this point. Plan is to rent one 3-4 times over next year to test waters before going to buy and store one. Brother in law did it recently and if I remember correctly, around 5k lbs. At this point I do not see going to anything much bigger than that.

Sorry, 502A is what I test drove.

Exactly. I have not been able to locate a Lariat or the like around here without the moonroof.

Haha, fair. Here in FL, climate control is set to Max AC / coolest tempt on top vents at all times. Only thing that ever changes is fan speed, never temp. So having that big dial is easier to grab / adjust without looking then smaller fan speed buttons on auto climate systems. I had auto climate in past vehicle and preferred in the end to always have on coolest temp and regulate fan speed over desired temp. Funny enough, wife does the same in her Pilot. Lowest temp all times, fan speed up / down as needed.

I want to ... damn OCD is a cruel mistress / personality trait :-/

Yes. For me and my perceived value, it's just not there for the Lariat. Again for me. Will simply have dealer install Katzkin for $1,200 in the 302A.

 

I'd wait 12 months for the new generation in 2020 (2021 model year)...interior is going to be much improved.

 

I'd say you're doing it wrong if you're manual setting fan speeds in an electronic climate control vehicle. One big dial for temp, all you need, it does the rest.

Make sure one of your first immediate mods is a heat rejection (doesn't have to be very dark) window tint. All four windows. And a 70-80 on windshield and/or a top strip

 

Order it. Get exactly what you want. I have a loaded-out 502A Special Edition with no rattle-roof.



North Texas here, so similar climate. After some run time, even during our current 100+ degree days, my AC still backs off (fan and temp both). That's why I love the EATC. But, as mentioned, good window tint is essential (I'm running 3M Crystalline, CR70 on the windshield, CR40 all the way around).