The bike has a weight limit of 275 pounds and as Trek’s entry level road bike ( the AL2 ) Its built down to a price. The wheels it comes with are okay for general use but loaded up for touring with a big guy on it the bike is up near, or above, its limit. Throw a bunch of miles ( second trip right? ) and a few potholes at it and you’ve killed a wheel.
Find a good set of high quality, higher spoke count, wheels. A dealer who deals in touring bikes should be able to help. There’s a huge variation in price out there but a good dealer should be able to line you up with the right wheels at the right price. As the market sucks right now you should be able to score a good deal from his stock… because it isn’t moving right now.