Yesterday I was towing my Jeep Wrangler (4 wheel drive standard) behind the Motor Home Same as I have done for 12 years. And the frontwheels locked tight, before I could get stopped & off the road way it had skidded the tires all the way to the rims. I had the Jeep transmission in 2nd gear and the transfer case in neutral just as the book says to do. The dealer had no idea what may have caused it. Any else ever had this problem??

Do you mean the steering had locked all the way to one side - or the WHEELS were not turning? Was the ignition lock OFF and the steering wheel was free to turn as it wanted.You didn't say what year Wrangler - it makes a difference.Second Gear would make no difference. It's rare but possible that the steering column turned all the way to one side - and stayed there. You could also have front suspension wear prolems which could contribute to the cause. Dealers typically are clueless to towing issues.If your tires were fully worn, there should have been SMOKE and NOISE sufficient to alert you to the problem. I doubt it was immediate.

The steering wheel was free to turn, the wheels were straight ahead, yes there was smoke not much till I stopped No noise. The wheels would not rotate round and round. The ignition Not turned to lock. I checked that as soon as I got stopped.Sorry about the year 2002 I just figured you would notice I have been towing the same Jeep for 12 years. Thanks for the reply

The dealer should be able to diagnose if the brakes were locked or the axle was locked. I would wonder if the front hubs are always locked, or if they lock and unlock, if so were they locked? If they were locked it could be a transfer case problem, or the front differential or ring and pinion.Brian

Ouch... I toad a 2010 JK Wrangler (all four down on pavement), tranny and transfer in neutral, steering wheel unlocked, and have never heard of this problem. Last trip was Seattle to New York and back. Zero problems. Please post results of your final diagnosis... that’s a serious problem.I can’t imagine being on an interstate or heavy I-5 traffic in Seattle and having that lock-up happen. Very dangerous. Glad everyone is safe.

Does it drive normally after you replaced the tires?Do you use a toad braking system?

Front wheels locked | Good Sam Community

egh33
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
The steering wheel was free to turn, the wheels were straight ahead, yes there was smoke not much till I stopped No noise. The wheels would not rotate round and round. The ignition Not turned to lock. I checked that as soon as I got stopped.
Sorry about the year 2002 I just figured you would notice I have been towing the same Jeep for 12 years. Thanks for the reply
webhannet
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
Do you mean the steering had locked all the way to one side - or the WHEELS were not turning? Was the ignition lock OFF and the steering wheel was free to turn as it wanted.

You didn't say what year Wrangler - it makes a difference.

Second Gear would make no difference.

It's rare but possible that the steering column turned all the way to one side - and stayed there. You could also have front suspension wear prolems which could contribute to the cause.

Dealers typically are clueless to towing issues.

If your tires were fully worn, there should have been SMOKE and NOISE sufficient to alert you to the problem. I doubt it was immediate.

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Front wheels locked

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