Video: Can Our Three Old & Sketchy Big SUVs Tow Big? The Answer Is Just a Click Away! Go Big – Ep.4

Let's tow a 7,000 lbs camper!

ford excursion gmc suburban chevy cadillac escalade towing trailer camper

It’s time to put our big SUVs to a very stressful test. What happens when our GMC Suburban, Ford Excursion, and Cadillac Escalade race each other for 0-60 MPH supremacy with a 7,000+ lbs camping trailer. Let’s find out.

The “Go Big!” video series is brought to you by Join YAA and BFGoodrich.

These full-size 4×4 SUVs are known for their heavy-weight towing capacities. When properly equipped, the Ford Excursion is rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs. This is a huge amount of weight, even by today’s standard. How quickly will these “Go Big!” SUVs accelerate to get onto a highway when pulling a 7,000+ lbs trailer? 

We are towing a new BlackSeries HQ19 luxurious camping trailer. This camper has a stout galvanized steel frame, lots of ground clearance, big LT tires, independent suspension, a luxurious interior, a full bath, and a washing machine.

The 1999 GMC Suburban is equipped with a 5.7-liter Vortec V8 engine that has over 210,000 miles on it. This engine is fairly tired. The 2000 Ford Excursion is powered by a 6.8-liter V10 that is also far from top shape. This Ford’s transmission is also not shifting very smoothly. The 2003 Cadillac Escalade is a beast. OK, I am a bit biased because I am driving it. However, the 6.0-liter V8 under the hood of this premium SUV still has most of its ponies left. It’s tuned for premium fuel, which is what I am using.

Spoiler Alert!

2022 gmc suburban ford excursion cadillac escalade v8 towing trailer acceleration

 As you can see, the Escalade wins this competition, but not by as much as I expected. The Excursion is in second place, and the tired Suburban is bringing up the rear. On the plus side, none of these trucks overheated and no transmission blew up during this episode.

Next time, we drive these three beauties to Moab, Utah and take them #overland on the White Rim trail. Will they survive? Stay tuned until next week.