[djs]

Picked up #9131 today (SS EX, w/ towing package, boards, fogs, tray). We will be using it to tow our 16 foot fishing boat from New Jersey to Maine in a couple of weeks. The manual recommends a full size spare when towing and seems to imply that it would fit where the space saver mounts. Looks very tight to me. Anyone have a full sized spare? Verification that it fits?

Thanks
djs

Long Valley, NJ

Saw my first Pilot on the road today, it was ours!

 

[djs]

The wife called American Honda customer service this morning.
A full size spare (with steel or alloy wheel) will indeed fit in the compartment that now houses the space saver. She ordered an alloy from Hondacuraworld.com (Tim and Eric).

 

[PrG]

Thanks ...

for the info ...

PrG

 

[Monkey8]

Picked up #9131 today (SS EX, w/ towing package, boards, fogs, tray). We will be using it to tow our 16 foot fishing boat from New Jersey to Maine in a couple of weeks. The manual recommends a full size spare when towing and seems to imply that it would fit where the space saver mounts. Looks very tight to me. Anyone have a full sized spare? Verification that it fits?

Thanks
djs

Long Valley, NJ

Saw my first Pilot on the road today, it was ours!

Have not check my SS EX-L. for some reason I thought that the spare is full size. I guess not .Wonder why they did that on a 32000$ vehicle.

 

[jfrano]

Probably because they were trying hard not to makle it a $38,000 vehicle like the MDX.

DJS...keep you're eyes open around Butler, NJ, maybe see you on the roads of NJ or points north! Where did you buy your Pilot from?(me Sussex Honda)

Joe

 

[djs]

The Acura MDX does not come with a full size spare tire either. It is probably not included because of cost and weight. And after all, you have to give parts and service their profit opportunities. These automobile franchises are businesses and need to pay their employees and make money so they can keep their doors open.

#09131 SS EX

 

[djs]

Joe,
Open Road Honda in Edison. I called Sussex Honda (bought 2 Hondas from them- very good folks ) but they had nothing till October. I know what happens with these vehicles and the waiting lists so my wife got real aggressive and started printing out dealer inventories from all over the state. Edison is only about 50 minutes from us; Sussex Honda is 40min.; Clinton Honda (our first choice is about 30min). Three days after we picked up Pilot from Edison we got a call from Clinton saying they had a Havasu Blue available. Oh well.
Open Road wanted 2k over so we added 2k more to what we wanted for the trade. After 3 hours they finally buckled and we basically bought for MSRP. The installs on all the stuff was flawless and although I don't want to go into it here you can't have bought from a better dealer than Sussex. We know many people there and the techs are first rate.
You live about 15 miles from where my wife and I grew up (Montville) My aunt and uncle have lived in Butler for years.
How come you didn't do business with Pompton Plains?

 

[Monkey8]

The Acura MDX does not come with a full size spare tire either. It is probably not included because of cost and weight. And after all, you have to give parts and service their profit opportunities. These automobile franchises are businesses and need to pay their employees and make money so they can keep their doors open.

#09131 SS EX

Trust me the dealers and the service folks are not going hungry anytime soon. If they don't make money, who does?

 

[davisdog]

fyi...if you think about it, of course a full size spare will fit...that's where you have to store the full size tire that you pull off when you have a blow out etc and exchange it with the spare (be it full or compact)).

It does add some more weight and I also hangs down lower (so you might see it more from the rear)...same holds true for the MDX

 

[jfrano]

DJS,
Glad you worked the deal! There are so many Honda dealers around. Yes RT23 Honda, in Pompton Plains was my first choice. I evaluated them in the dealer section. Basically I went to them in February when I had read about the Pilot to put a deposit down, we discussed the selling price as being MSRP...whatever that might be. So I signed the contract and I gave him $500. A few days latter this gnawing feeling made me pull the contract out of my desk and reread...sure enough he had written the price as MARKET VALUE. I called the dealer and asked what happened to MSRP. Its like he lost his memory! Would not rewrite it. So basically he wanted me to give him $500, 4 months before the car hit the market...for what advantage to me...so he could charge me WHATEVER he wanted...Needles to say he won't get a penny of my service needs on the PILOT that I happily bought from, as you said, the good folk, at Sussex Honda. Carey the salesman, even came too my house in Butler, to pick me up the night I took delivery (June 6)!

Well I have the RED ROCK PEARL with the Battleship New Jersey Plates...seemed appropriate, also with my Navy logo in the center back window and my dive flag logo on the left corner of the back window...I guess I kind of stand out!!

Joe

PS I'll be taking my boat out on Lake Hopatcong tomorrow. Friday, I'm hoping to launch it from the Belmar Marina, hopefully catch some blues.

 

[djs]

Joe,
That is why my wife went searching rather than ordering. As long as the market is funky you never know what can happen to the car you order. It could go to the guy who comes in off the street and pays more than you. My wife always reminds me that most (not all ) Honda dealers were used car dealers first. Few new car dealers were interested in putting Honda on their floor way back when.

We had a 25' SeaRay on Lake Hopatcong for many years. Used to take it down the shore (pulled by a 1979 Suburban 3/4 ton 2wd beefed 4 spd - rated to pull 10,000lb). and launch out of the Highlands. Would go down w/wife and 2 boys after work Saturday night sleep on the boat (it slept 4 comfortably) in the parking lot then launch right before first light. Would chase the bluefish all over the surface. What fun we had. This was before the return of the Striped Bass.

We have been surf fishing off the beaches at Sandy Hook.
I bought a small (16 1/2') fishing boat this spring and have had in out in the bay from Keyport. I would not do the inlet from Belmar with my small boat. When I had the Searay and took it out of Belmar on the return trip in on one Saturday afternoon there were 10' standing waves and my wife aged about 20 years in 20 minutes. My kids always had life jackets on above deck and once I removed us quickly but have never returned to the inlet . We like Sandy Hook.

What kind of boat do you have ?

 

[jfrano]

djs,
Me and my girl went out on Lk Hopatcong on Friday...great day! We were down the shore for the 4th. I hear Lk Hopatcong and the traffic backups made the NYC broadcast news..whew sounded bad, glad we changed our plans!!! Any fish in Lk Hopatcong or Greenwood Lake?

I have an 18' Monarch with a 100hp Merc on it. Easy to tow and get in and out with reasonable comfort for a day trip. Glad you commented on Belmar. I'm use to going out on the dive boats from there..of course their a little bigger than mine.

So you would suggest Sandy Hook or the Highlands. Are they all private marinas or are there public launches?

Joe

 

[djs]

Joe,
The Highlands Marina is public. Don't know what the fees are anymore. There is also a public ramp in Keyport (on the other side of the Ammo Pier) . If you are interested in a ramp in between, Just stop at the Tackle Box (Which is past the Keyport Ramp) and ask. There is also one at Union Beach.

 

[Len]

I'm too lazy to look....

What brand/model of spare tire comes with the Pilot?

 

[DaleB]

fyi...if you think about it, of course a full size spare will fit...that's where you have to store the full size tire that you pull off when you have a blow out etc and exchange it with the spare (be it full or compact)).

It does add some more weight and I also hangs down lower (so you might see it more from the rear)...same holds true for the MDX

Virtually no difference in weight, check it out. A steel wheel against an alloy, does not stand a chance.

 

[N_Jay]

Check it out again!

The temp spare weighs a lot less than a full wheel tire combination.
The car companies are going to put the temp spare on for only two reasons. 1. Cheaper, 2. Lighter.

 

[DaleB]

Re: Check it out again!

The temp spare weighs a lot less than a full wheel tire combination.

I will get back with the actual weights. We may both be surprised. Except the weights will be for an MDX so 17" tire/wheel combo against the mini spare.

 

[pdd]

FYI

I replaced the "space saver" temporary tire with the same Alloy wheel and tire that is standard on my MDX Touring (17" Rim). The tire does hang lower, but fits under vehicle just fine. I brought a vinyl tire cover to cover the wheel, and it looks great! I also weighted the 16" temporary, and the new full size tire, and the full size tire and alloy weighted 9 pounds less. ...Surprised the heck out of me..

 

[DaleB]

You are absolutely right, N_Jay the weight for the spare is:

35 lbs.


Against the 17" stock rim & tire for an MDX:

54 lbs.


I remember the weight the full size rim alone and it was 25 lbs. I was surprised to find the tire weighs so much more.
(Maybe it's the 'air' hee hee!)
Now we know why they don't want you to drive the mini more than 55 mph or more than 50 miles. It's probably made of rubber and not much more.

 

[N_Jay]

Whats with PDD?

Someone must have filled his spare with water!