Excursion as tow vehicle?

As long as it is well maintained, it should do great. I would change all the fluids before towing much.

I would double check the payload on the TV. Also, If I remember correctly, the some V10s had issues with exhaust manifold bolts breaking but some Ford experts can chime in on that.

Ive seen quite a few Excursions pulling 30ft+ trailers. Like APT said, check/keep it well maintained and it should do great

Preventative maintenance is every bit as important as tow capacity.

You'll need to watch your payload. Look at the tire / loading sticker (should be on drivers door post) for payload (AKA cargo carrying capacity) number. That is the vehicle's capacity to carry everybody and everything you put in or on the vehicle.

IE: If the sticker shows 1800 lb payload, that is it's capacity to carry people, pets, cargo, aftermarket accessories, weight distributing hitch, and trailer tongue weight, combined.

A 7500 lb trailer will need 1000 - 1100 lbs of payload available.

Add a tranny oil cooler and air springs or air socks to the rear. Use separate air fills... one on each side. A lot of vehicle for $10k.

Yes the Excursion will tow well. Couple of things to check on a 2000 model year:

1. Some of the early EX's either did not have an external transmission cooler or a in radiator cooler (can't remember which) later models had both. Check and make sure the trans cooler line split at the radiator and go to an external cooler and inside the radiator. If not, might think about a later MY radiator and cooler lines that include both coolers.

2. Some of the early EX's came with load D tires. If the owner kept these upgrade to load E. Ford had a recall to upgrade the tires. The loading sticker in the door jamb could be incorrect because of this.

3. Be careful when changing spark plugs and BE SURE to torque them with a TORQUE WRENCH, not "feel." Use ONLY Motorcraft Spark Plugs / Coils (if needed) to avoid misfires.

4. I prefer to use 5W30 oil as the engine originally called for it. Ford in their infinite wisdom, changed that specification to 5W20 to please CARB. Interestingly modular engines call for 5W40 outside North America....

The 2000 MY should have the "better" Y-pipe in the exhaust and the V10's didn't have chronic exhaust manifold problems. Exhaust flutter noises yes but you might not notice them anyways.

My 01 needed no modifications to tow my 30ft bunk house all over the sierras. Have fun and happy camping....

We did nothing to our X and is still working fine. Our 33' trailer has a tongue weight of over 1000 lb and that doesn't leave much room for stuff in the X. Remember the tongue weight plus kids might put you at the the GVW and your stuff might need to go in the TT.

I'm towing a 9200lb loaded, 35 foot TT with an 02 V-10 X.
First off, if it hasn't already been done get a rear sway bar for the rear axle. Some X's didn't come with them some did. He ones hat didn't were plagued with wander issues due to the soccer mom springs Ford put under these beasts! Some people go as far as putting in F250/350 springs to help out with towing issues. I went with airbags.
The exhaust manifold issue is more broken studs than anything. I have 1 on each side of mine that are broken right now (going to do hose his winter).
Once setup to tow it is an amazing SUV!
As was said, check all maint. have the frt end checked out for loose parts. If it was truly cared for it will show!
I do several 10+ hour trips non stop (other than gas and bathroom) I've even done a couple 13 and 14 hour trips. Very comfortable vehicle!

I've got about 1,800 lbs of payload on the X. The plan is to put the 8 of us in the X along with snacks and light things like pillows and blankets, etc. Everything else will be distributed in the TT. Also, our WD hitch should help quite a bit. And since our TT will be 7,500 lbs at the Max, I would think the X could handle it well anywhere. What do you think?

My 2004 V10 Ex has taken us from Florida to Maine without issue. I did add a rear sway bar that was beefier than the factory one. My TT weighs around 9200lbs when loaded to camp. I do have E rated tires and installed new shocks when I bought it in 2009. I opted for the Roadmaster Active Suspansion to shore up the Ex's soft rear instead of airbags. I mainly use the Ex to tow and average 7.5 - 8 MPG.
I would go with 1200lb - 1400lb bars.