[nmunroe]

So I went to the dealership and placed an order for a Pacifica on 8/30.
We ordered the spare tire instead of the vacuum for piece of mind, since I will have 2 young children in car seats and if I had a blowout I wouldn't want to have to put them in to a tow truck.

I was able to pull up the build sheet on Friday and I noticed the vacuum. I checked with the dealership and Chrysler directly and they both confirmed that the vehicle was built with a vacuum. Somehow the person who put in the order at the dealership selected the vacuum option instead of the spare tire.

The salesperson at the dealership originally was trying to place blame on me, but I keep all paperwork, so I was able to show her where I chose that option. She has since offered to order the spare tire and give it to me to figure where to put it in the vehicle.
I see that on a different thread someone was able to fit it in to the stow and go space. But then that leaves me unable to stow that seat.

For anyone who has the vacuum is it really useful? I didn't see myself really needing it, but I could be wrong.

My dilemma is should I take the delivery of this Pacifica? Or should I reorder and wait another 6-8 weeks?
We had hoped to have the Pacifica for our family vacation for Thanksgiving this year so I need to make a decision quickly if I decide to reorder if I want to have it in time.
Input would be appreciated, as my urge to finally get my vehicle is battling with my need to be able to stow one of the seats.

 

[Dieselgeek]

So I went to the dealership and placed an order for a Pacifica on 8/30.
We ordered the spare tire instead of the vacuum for piece of mind, since I will have 2 young children in car seats and if I had a blowout I wouldn't want to have to put them in to a tow truck.

I was able to pull up the build sheet on Friday and I noticed the vacuum. I checked with the dealership and Chrysler directly and they both confirmed that the vehicle was built with a vacuum. Somehow the person who put in the order at the dealership selected the vacuum option instead of the spare tire.

The salesperson at the dealership originally was trying to place blame on me, but I keep all paperwork, so I was able to show her where I chose that option. She has since offered to order the spare tire and give it to me to figure where to put it in the vehicle.
I see that on a different thread someone was able to fit it in to the stow and go space. But then that leaves me unable to stow that seat.

For anyone who has the vacuum is it really useful? I didn't see myself really needing it, but I could be wrong.

My dilemma is should I take the delivery of this Pacifica? Or should I reorder and wait another 6-8 weeks?
We had hoped to have the Pacifica for our family vacation for Thanksgiving this year so I need to make a decision quickly if I decide to reorder if I want to have it in time.
Input would be appreciated, as my urge to finally get my vehicle is battling with my need to be able to stow one of the seats.

Tough call. I had a saleslady tell me last week you couldn't order a Limited without a vacuum! It's amazing to me what sales people don't know! I too would rather have the spare vs the vacuum, but the thread showing a spare fits in a stow and go well has me thinking as well. Like you though, not sure I want a spare tire in the well, instead of being able to use it. I would order what you originally wanted.

 

[Boomage]

My family personally likes the vacuum. We have a 5 year old and twins coming next month. It is the reason we went the limited route. Actually used it at the dealership when we switching carseats on our trade in and goldfish crumbs fell on the floor. It has great suction. You still get an air pump with tire sealant with the vacuum.

It is a personal choice in the end. With the price you are paying for the limited, get the van you want without regrets.

 

[generaltso]

I'd just go with the vac and put the spare in the stow well for now. If you decide you really don't want the tire there and never use the vac, you could order the right trim kit, remove the vac, and put the tire where the vac was.

I know first hand how much it sucks to have to restart the timer on a new order. I'd avoid that since they're willing to give you the spare tire kit for free. You could ask them to give you the trim kit as well so your bases will be covered.

 

[Damoncaravanman]

I just read the same post about the 17" spare tire kit fitting in the stow and go! Wow, I am more than irritated as I would have loved the vacuum as well as the spare tire and I would have stowed the spare tire and kit in the stow and go well. That way if I ever stowed the seats, would be very rare, I could just haul it in the back!

Another poster on here actually had the vacuum in his Pacifica and he went ahead and ordered the spare tire kit and uninstalled the vacuum and just put the spare tire kit as if it came from the factory. He said it was like 4 bolts that was it.

So if the dealer is going to give you the actual spare tire kit....the one that is the 17" spare with the compressor to inflate, take it for free and the van you ordered and you have 2 options!!!!

 

[BrettP]

I love my vacuum and, so far, I've used it 8 times but haven't needed a spare tire even once, haha. I did order the spare after learning it will fit in the stowbucket.

For me, the decision to keep the vehicle that is coming or reorder another would "hinge" (pun intended) on the dealer confirming that your Pacifica has the required IIHS Test related hinge modification and A-Pillar weld upgrade to get the full IIHS Top Safety Pick "Plus" rating. It could save you some money on insurance and provide some piece of mind. Supposedly vehicles manufactured Sept or later have the upgrade so in all likelihood the one coming has it but, if not, perhaps reordering would be wise.

 

[budi]

Do you know which stow-and-go location it will fit? This would allow me to purchase the Limited with a vacuum.
Thanks
-Budi

 

[generaltso]

Do you know which stow-and-go location it will fit? This would allow me to purchase the Limited with a vacuum.

The spare tire will fit in the second row Stow-N-Go well on either side.

 

[Los Feliz Larry]

VAcuum and Spare Tire swap

So I went to the dealership and placed an order for a Pacifica on 8/30.
We ordered the spare tire instead of the vacuum for piece of mind, since I will have 2 young children in car seats and if I had a blowout I wouldn't want to have to put them in to a tow truck.

I was able to pull up the build sheet on Friday and I noticed the vacuum. I checked with the dealership and Chrysler directly and they both confirmed that the vehicle was built with a vacuum. Somehow the person who put in the order at the dealership selected the vacuum option instead of the spare tire.

The salesperson at the dealership originally was trying to place blame on me, but I keep all paperwork, so I was able to show her where I chose that option. She has since offered to order the spare tire and give it to me to figure where to put it in the vehicle.
I see that on a different thread someone was able to fit it in to the stow and go space. But then that leaves me unable to stow that seat.

For anyone who has the vacuum is it really useful? I didn't see myself really needing it, but I could be wrong.

My dilemma is should I take the delivery of this Pacifica? Or should I reorder and wait another 6-8 weeks?
We had hoped to have the Pacifica for our family vacation for Thanksgiving this year so I need to make a decision quickly if I decide to reorder if I want to have it in time.
Input would be appreciated, as my urge to finally get my vehicle is battling with my need to be able to stow one of the seats.

Our experience is very similar except that in selling me the vehicle with the vacuum, the salesperson told us that taking out the vacuum and putting in a spare tire was simple 1-2-3 and I could swap whenever I wanted to. They sold me a spare tire kit that came in the big box etc.

Finally decided to have a more local dealer swap out the vac for the tire. Was told NO WAY. The panels for the spare tire are very different and new parts had to be ordered. So in addition to the cost of the spare tire ($500+ as I recall) there was a bill for 3 hours labor plus parts = $800+. The selling dealer argued that they never made a representation about the ease of swapping but after a lot of stonewalling they decided to pay the cost back to the local dealer.

Now I have a complete vacuum system parts and panels probably worth much more than the spare tire panel because of all the associated electrical and interlocking parts. So this is ideal for someone who wants to install a vac and remove the spare tire kit!

LArry

 

[SurfNC02]

We never thought about the vacuum, being that we bought an L+. They didn't have any with spares on the lot and we negotiated a really good deal for one off the lot and had them throw in the spare kit (KIT...not just spare) and cover the install cost when we choose to do so. If they are willing to order the spare and give it to you to have at no cost, make sure they also order the trim panel. My other advise is get them to agree to cover the cost of the swap out of the vacuum for the spare. Get that in writing, scan it into the computer and save it.

We have the spare in the garage and only grab it when we go on a road trip. We like having the "shelving" in the back side panel for a first aid kit, diaper stuff, stroller parts, etc.

 

[mickeyboat]

Do you know which stow-and-go location it will fit? This would allow me to purchase the Limited with a vacuum.
Thanks
-Budi

Fits either side on mine.

 

[ferg]

The salesperson at the dealership originally was trying to place blame on me, but I keep all paperwork, so I was able to show her where I chose that option. She has since offered to order the spare tire and give it to me to figure where to put it in the vehicle.
I see that on a different thread someone was able to fit it in to the stow and go space. But then that leaves me unable to stow that seat.

For anyone who has the vacuum is it really useful? I didn't see myself really needing it, but I could be wrong.

My dilemma is should I take the delivery of this Pacifica? Or should I reorder and wait another 6-8 weeks?
We had hoped to have the Pacifica for our family vacation for Thanksgiving this year so I need to make a decision quickly if I decide to reorder if I want to have it in time.
Input would be appreciated, as my urge to finally get my vehicle is battling with my need to be able to stow one of the seats.

It sucks they made a mistake and tried to place blame on you, but personally, I'd keep the current order as-is and take the offer of a spare tire kit. The vacuum is pretty handy, I found myself using it in the resort parking lot while on vacation a few weeks ago. It beats dragging out the shop-vac and extension cords when you're at home as well.

If you have your salesperson order the spare tire, make sure you get the kit - and not just the tire. the kit comes with a lug wrench and scissor jack (along with some mounting brackets you won't need if you keep the spare in the stow and go well). You won't have those items in a spare tire delete car. The OEM kit, BTW, is about $300 from Amazon.

Regarding the stow and go - you said you've got two kids in car seats and I assume you'll have them in the second row. So most likely, you'll not store those seats anyway, and access to the stow and go area isn't the easiest to begin with, especially with the all-weather floor mats, so its a great spot that's out of the way to put the spare.

 

[Mike E]

Has anyone here purchased a spare tire kit for the Pacifica anywhere other than a dealer? I assume there is only 1 size spare tire, regardless of what wheel and tire size your Pacifica came with, right? I picked up our Pacifica Limited with the vacuum, so we don't have a spare. If anyone has a place to get one at a fair price, I'd love to hear it.

 

[mickeyboat]

Has anyone here purchased a spare tire kit for the Pacifica anywhere other than a dealer? I assume there is only 1 size spare tire, regardless of what wheel and tire size your Pacifica came with, right? I picked up our Pacifica Limited with the vacuum, so we don't have a spare. If anyone has a place to get one at a fair price, I'd love to hear it.

Amazon.com I paid $306. Comes with all the mounting hardware you will not need if you store in stow and go hole. Mine free shipping and no tax. One side has foam you can cut out in a couple minutes to hold your jack and provided lug wrench. 2 minutes of foam cutting to hold the jack.

 

[Kicker]

My spare is AAA. .... and my cell phone.

 

[Badge56]

My spare is AAA. .... and my cell phone.

Ya my spare is Chrysler Road side assistance... Who needs a spare now a days? We get 5 years of Chrysler Road side assistance up here in Canada. I presume you yanks get it also?:wink2:

 

[mickeyboat]

Ya my spare is Chrysler Road side assistance... Who needs a spare now a days? We get 5 years of Chrysler Road side assistance up here in Canada. I presume you yanks get it also?:wink2:

So you have a flat at midnight Sat night. Chrysler will be at your car as soon as their service dept opens and can get organized and reaches your vehicle maybe Sun morning or maybe Monday morning. Most auto insurance roadside assistance is 24/7.

 

[Mike E]

@Kicker, @Badge56, @mickeyboat


I also have AAA, and of course Chrysler Roadside Assistance, but are either of those services going to promptly bring you a spare tire? That's where I have my doubts, and I get the feeling if AAA does somehow fetch you a spare, you'll pay a lot more than the $306 for the spare kit that Mickeyboat purchased. I could be wrong, just my thoughts.

 

[Affald]

@Kicker, @Badge56, @mickeyboat


I also have AAA, and of course Chrysler Roadside Assistance, but are either of those services going to promptly bring you a spare tire? That's where I have my doubts, and I get the feeling if AAA does somehow fetch you a spare, you'll pay a lot more than the $306 for the spare kit that Mickeyboat purchased. I could be wrong, just my thoughts.

Great question. It might be an opportunity for a tow truck repair shop to milk you. AAA is just a bunch of independent shops. More likely to tell you that your flat tire is not repairable and sell you something.

 

[BrettP]

MOPAR says their roadside assistance is 24/7/365. Outside of normal dealer hours I'm sure its the same tow truck that AAA or your insurance company sends out but the dealer is the last place I wish to go anyway for tire issues (even warranty issues) and they make that pretty clear when they hand you your new keys.