We towed our 2012 Jeep Patriot for the first time this weekend round trip from Orlando to St. Petersburg -- 110 miles each way. When we arrived at St. Pete, we unhitched the jeep and drove it all weekend with no problems, then headed back home.
Got home, unhitched the jeep and parked it. The next day we started it up to drive it and the steering wheel was shaking side-to-side. Turns out three tires were starting to separate -- two front and passenger-side rear -- and the front end was out of alignment. Any suggestions what might have caused it?
We loaded two kayaks on top of the jeep and had gear in the back, but I'm sure we were below the recommended weight limit. The Blue Ox tow bar was locked. I'm certain the key was in the accessory position and the hand brake was off. We use a Stay-IN-Play braking system. This wasn't the first time we've towed the jeep, but it was the first time we've towed it with the kayaks.
Our mechanic said it looks like we hit a giant pothole, but we sure didn't notice anything like that on trip back. Any suggestions about towing-related issues that might have caused this? The tires were on the car when we bought it used new a couple of months ago and they are just about three years old. The jeep has 45k miles.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Got home, unhitched the jeep and parked it. The next day we started it up to drive it and the steering wheel was shaking side-to-side. Turns out three tires were starting to separate -- two front and passenger-side rear -- and the front end was out of alignment. Any suggestions what might have caused it?
We loaded two kayaks on top of the jeep and had gear in the back, but I'm sure we were below the recommended weight limit. The Blue Ox tow bar was locked. I'm certain the key was in the accessory position and the hand brake was off. We use a Stay-IN-Play braking system. This wasn't the first time we've towed the jeep, but it was the first time we've towed it with the kayaks.
Our mechanic said it looks like we hit a giant pothole, but we sure didn't notice anything like that on trip back. Any suggestions about towing-related issues that might have caused this? The tires were on the car when we bought it used new a couple of months ago and they are just about three years old. The jeep has 45k miles.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
