[thegr8wendt]

For those who have a full size spare tire mounted on their roof rack... how do you get the wheel on/off? I mean a full size spare 30" AT wheel weighs at least 50lbs and I can't see how standing on running boards (or even your rear tire) will give you enough leverage to get it in/out of the rack.

Do you have a ladder? Do you just monkey climb onto the roof? Dropping it from 7ft and hoping it lands on the rubber doesn't sound like a good idea either.

 

[ProdGirl]

I gave up finding a solution to toting around a full size spare and got Michelin tires with a 3 year road side service and warranty with America’s/Discount Tire.

Moab Junky on here has a rig set up with a tow hitch, but I didn’t want to go that route as I sometimes put my bike on a hitch rack.

 

[HarveyW]

I was introduced to a nice, although somewhat expensive solution for its size , device by another member here. We won't mention her name or the fact that she might be a moderator around here, but it works well for me.

Amazon.com: Rightline Gear Moki Door Step, Extra Long - Supports Both Feet, As Seen on Shark Tank : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Rightline Gear Moki Door Step, Extra Long - Supports Both Feet, As Seen on Shark Tank : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

But then at 6'3" it gives me plenty of height to get the tire out of the rack and down.

 

[ProdGirl]

I was introduced to a nice, although somewhat expensive solution for its size , device by another member here. We won't mention her name or the fact that she might be a moderator around here, but it works well for me.

Amazon.com: Rightline Gear Moki Door Step, Extra Long - Supports Both Feet, As Seen on Shark Tank : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Rightline Gear Moki Door Step, Extra Long - Supports Both Feet, As Seen on Shark Tank : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

But then at 6'3" it gives me plenty of height to get the tire out of the rack and down.

I’ve got one of those for when I travel and go to the car wash. However, I was told with the latch on our vehicle aren’t meant for much weight, or lots of movement like getting a tire off the roof, even though rated for 400#’s.

 

[SemperFly]

I was misinformed during my recent purchase that the spare was a full size capable of towing at normal speed.

 

[HarveyW]

I’ve got one of those for when I travel and go to the car wash. However, I was told with the latch on our vehicle aren’t meant for much weight, or lots of movement like getting a tire off the roof, even though rated for 400#’s.

Well now you tell me. 😁

I used a short ladder to load the tire onto the rack and to secure it with the spare tire mount. Haven't needed it to get the tire down. May have to look into a short aluminum step ladder to keep up in the rack as well. Perhaps something like this:

 

[HarveyW]

I was misinformed during my recent purchase that the spare was a full size capable of towing at normal speed.

Yes, yes you were. The Honda Pilot is capable of carrying a full size spare but even it comes with the donut. If you want a full size spare you have to buy one yourself.

 

[ProdGirl]

Well now you tell me. 😁

I used a short ladder to load the tire onto the rack and to secure it with the spare tire mount. Haven't needed it to get the tire down. May have to look into a short aluminum step ladder to keep up in the rack as well.

Sorry. I didn’t know either, one of my coworkers was with me when I got it out of the cargo area.
I‘m sure it’s ok for a quick towel dry, but I wouldn’t trust it on that little door latch with our body weight and the tire weight moving around a lot to get a tire off the roof.

And at 6’3” you should be able to schlep a tire down with a little step stool that 5’0“ me has in every room and garage! 🤣
Actually, I saw a nice short aluminum ladder at Costco that might work for you. For me, it wouldn’t make a dent.

 

[HarveyW]

Sorry. I didn’t know either, one of my coworkers was with me when I got it out of the cargo area.
I‘m sure it’s ok for a quick towel dry, but I wouldn’t trust it on that little door latch with our body weight and the tire weight moving around a lot to get a tire off the roof.

And at 6’3” you should be able to schlep a tire down with a little step stool that 5’0“ me has in every room and garage! 🤣
Actually, I saw a nice short aluminum ladder at Costco that might work for you. For me, it wouldn’t make a dent.

I actually just modified my earlier post with what I may look at. 2" heavy duty aluminum ladder that would fit in the back or in my case in the rack of my vehicle. Very compact and rated to 375 lbs.

We need to go grocery shopping together. I'll get all the stuff down from the top shelves, you get the stuff from the bottom shelves and the middle shelves are fair game for either of us. 😆

I joke about it, but in real life I my favorite great aunt and I used to do exactly that. She was all of 4'10" and was pure dynamite. We would go to the grocery store together as I could reach the stuff on the top shelves.

Somewhere I have a photo of me and Aunt Frida. I have my arm stretched out parallel to the ground and she is standing underneath my outstretched arm, and there is an inch of space between the top of her head and the bottom of my arm.

 

[ProdGirl]

I actually just modified my earlier post with what I may look at. 2" heavy duty aluminum ladder that would fit in the back or in my case in the rack of my vehicle. Very compact and rated to 375 lbs.

We need to go grocery shopping together. I'll get all the stuff down from the top shelves, you get the stuff from the bottom shelves and the middle shelves are fair game for either of us. 😆

I joke about it, but in real life I my favorite great aunt and I used to do exactly that. She was all of 4'10" and was pure dynamite. We would go to the grocery store together as I could reach the stuff on the top shelves.

Somewhere I have a photo of me and Aunt Frida. I have my arm stretched out parallel to the ground and she is standing underneath my outstretched arm, and there is an inch of space between the top of her head and the bottom of my arm.

I have to ask for a tall guy to help me with the top shelf every time, same with work if I can’t reach something on the top racks or screens, etc.
And my brother is 6’4” - (who lives 240 miles away), but go figure!

 

[HarveyW]

I have to ask for a tall guy to help me with the top shelf every time, same with work if I can’t reach something on the top racks or screens, etc.
And my brother is 6’4” - (who lives 240 miles away), but go figure!

We're more like 1500 miles apart so you might want to keep asking your brother to go grocery shopping with you. Well unless you want to meet at a grocery store in Albuquerque. 😁

 

[thegr8wendt]

Thanks for the replies but it doesn't appear that a roof basket with a tire is a good solution. I like many things about my Passport, but some of their oversights are serious downfalls. I too thought it has a full size spare in the trunk. Shame on them for calling the Passport "Adventure ready" and only giving it a donut. Don't even get me started on the lack of recovery points too

 

[CaveGator]

My thought to trying to hoist a 50+ lbs full size tire onto the roof and then get it down was never going to happen. I’m strong enough, but if I’m out backpacking for 3 days or on an off-road camping trip, I may be too tired for that. I’ve opted for a hitch-mounted tire carrier from Dirt Complex (still waiting to get it). The donut will be fine when I’m on pavement, but when I hit the trails I’ll definitely need the full size spare.

 

[Cilles]

Yes, yes you were. The Honda Pilot is capable of carrying a full size spare but even it comes with the donut. If you want a full size spare you have to buy one yourself.

How do you see it is capable of carrying a full sized spare? Maybe the stock 18" fits? the 20" doesn't and after market ones definitely don't.

 

[HarveyW]

How do you see it is capable of carrying a full sized spare? Maybe the stock 18" fits? the 20" doesn't and after market ones definitely don't.

How, simple. I had a 2013 Pilot touring. Unlike the Passport, the Pilot is 10 inches longer. Those 10 inches allow the pilot to mount the spare under the rear cargo area, even with a hitch installed. When I bought the Pilot in 2013 one of the first things I did was go buy a steel wheel and a 5 tire to replace the spare.

Yes the Gen 3's will fit a full size spare even on the 20" wheels. There are plenty of threads on the Pilot forum regarding full size spares. They still are lifted into place under the body. The one common complaint about this arrangement however is that all generations seem to have lift mechanism freeze if you don't drop and raise the thing at least once a year. Every six months is better. Plus it is a pain to check the tire pressure with it slung underneath unless you drop it.

 

[multipass]

Im one of those crazy people who just uses the small spare without worry. I have 8 of the same 18” wheels and use those too if I’m near my garage. I dont tow, but I do some pretty rugged overlanding from time to time. Considering the jsport safari rack for those who dont already have the oem one (EXL and sport). Will definitely attach a fss up there and wont have much trouble standing in the door jam to get it. Im tall.

 

[HarveyW]

Im one of those crazy people who just uses the small spare without worry. I have 8 of the same 18” wheels and use those too if I’m near my garage. I dont tow, but I do some pretty rugged overlanding from time to time. Considering the jsport safari rack for those who dont already have the oem one (EXL and sport). Will definitely attach a fss up there and wont have much trouble standing in the door jam to get it. Im tall.

Thats not a problem if you have a 2WD. With AWD that donut makes you drive Reeeaaal Slllllooooow when it is on the ground, otherwise the system heats up and you get the blinky blinky, you're going to ruin something (overheat) warning.

I haven't experienced it yet but the wife did on her Rogue AWD. Finely she said screw this and called the wrecker out to get the vehicle as she has roadside assistance from Nissan.

That is why I want a full size tire. I don't want to be 60 miles east of Timbuktu and have to be driving 25 mph to get to the nearest gas station or repair shop. And I don't want to be stuck like this guy.

 

[multipass]

Thats not a problem if you have a 2WD. With AWD that donut makes you drive Reeeaaal Slllllooooow when it is on the ground, otherwise the system heats up and you get the blinky blinky, you're going to ruin something (overheat) warning.

I haven't experienced it yet but the wife did on her Rogue AWD. Finely she said screw this and called the wrecker out to get the vehicle as she has roadside assistance from Nissan.

That is why I want a full size tire. I don't want to be 60 miles east of Timbuktu and have to be driving 25 mph to get to the nearest gas station or repair shop. And I don't want to be stuck like this guy.

Eh, I've driven home on a donut in a scenario like this. It was fine.

 

[HarveyW]

Eh, I've driven home on a donut in a scenario like this. It was fine.

Honda tells you to keep it under 50 mph but I have serious doubts. It is a shame that Honda didn't do what Subaru did. On a Subaru, at least some models, you can turn off the AWD system in just such a situation. Mismatched tire sizes will overheat and potential damage the rear differential if the donut is on the back.

From the Manual:
If the AWD indicator blinks while driving, it indicates the differential temperature is too high. If this happens, pull to the side of the road when it is safe, shift to park, an idle the engine idle until the indicator goes out. If the indicator does not go out, take your vehicle to a dealer to have it checked.

What happened to the wife if she got up over 20-25 mph.

 

[pshadoa]

How, simple. I had a 2013 Pilot touring. Unlike the Passport, the Pilot is 10 inches longer. Those 10 inches allow the pilot to mount the spare under the rear cargo area, even with a hitch installed. When I bought the Pilot in 2013 one of the first things I did was go buy a steel wheel and a 5 tire to replace the spare.

Yes the Gen 3's will fit a full size spare even on the 20" wheels. There are plenty of threads on the Pilot forum regarding full size spares. They still are lifted into place under the body. The one common complaint about this arrangement however is that all generations seem to have lift mechanism freeze if you don't drop and raise the thing at least once a year. Every six months is better. Plus it is a pain to check the tire pressure with it slung underneath unless you drop it.

I put an extension hose on my PP spare so I can check the psi w/o taking the wheel out. $12 on Amazon.
Oatey 274-038 Extension Hose, 3/16"" x 3'