Community Forums

backwater4 · 11-01-2015, 02:51 PM

We are towing a 2010 Terrain. On five occasions in past couple years have gone over uneven pavement and the Terrain will jerk side to side. Come to a stop and start again and nothing. Changed tow bar in the spring and it happened again today. Has anyone had this problem or know someone who has. Thanks

Cruzer · 11-01-2015, 05:37 PM

A wicked shimmy when towing generally comes from one of two things.

One - your steering stabilizer is worn out.

Two - your alignment is off. You need enough positive caster to keep the wheels going straight. Some cars are a bit tight on caster and when you add a tow bar base plate it adds extra weight to the front end (same as with worn springs) and the caster goes to zero or even negative caster. Then the vehicle drives like one of those shopping carts with the worn out front casters.

roadrunning · 11-01-2015, 06:13 PM

I also tow a 2010 Terrain and I've had the same problem a couple times. Once turn tight when I was coming out of a parking lot and hit a bump, can't remember the conditions when it happened the 2nd time. I just pulled over checked the car out took off and no problem. Lately I have been towing my jeep. As it didn't se to be a big problem never went any furthur with having it checked out.