Foiled by narrow tires? Anyone have experience at Big Cypress Preserve, Everglades?

[iMTB]

http://www.nps.gov/bicy/index.htm

According to the ORV permitting information:
STREET LEGAL 4X4 (D)
Tires minimum of 9”
Working White Headlights
Working Red Tail Lights
VIN#
4 Wheel Drive
Muffler
Current Registration and Insurance
Weight (will be weighed at inspection)

Anyone know if the 9" is section width or tread width? My tires are only 7" tread width and 8.5" section width. With a tape measure it looks really close to 9" section width, but I'm not sure how strict they are. I hope I don't have to get wider tires just to explore the Everglades...I like my narrow tires because they work and don't effect my mpg.

[Black_ZJ]

This is not Jeep-specific so you may have better luck posting the question in the regional section of the forum of where you want to explore.

[82fb]

Can you just air them down to get them 9 inches wide? Seems like that would meet and exceed the spirit of the regulation.

[blair_tundra]

i was there last weekend. Beautiful area. As far as the park permit requirements, they are not too strict when it comes to the numbers. As long as your vehicle appears to be in good working order and offroad worthy you won't get a second look. They aren't going to measure your tires or anything like that.

Are you camping there? The bear island campground is a good choice and is where I stayed.

Have Fun!
Blair

[iMTB]

This is not Jeep-specific so you may have better luck posting the question in the regional section of the forum of where you want to explore.

I was looking for people with say a WJ with 245/75s or something similar to have experience with the place.

I don't really know about airing them down. They're load range E so it doesn't have much of an effect unless I'm on a rock.

And yep, Bear Island is the goal!

[udoxx]

My guess by stating a minimum of 9 inches (in width) is to disqualify Motorcycles. I don't think they are considering 4X4 vehicles with narrow tires.

[Utah KJ]

I went there with my KJ with 235/85R16 and I passed inspection (they did measure). The ranger was from UT and I think he could recognize the mad skillz.

[Utah KJ]

You will also need a Fed issued OHV license. If you don't have one, plan on spending another $50 to take the test on site. If you haven't got a permit already, you may be too late as most people go early in the spring to get the limited permits they issue.

The cool thing is trying to use your OHV as photo ID for TSA. I had to point out that it's issued by the Fed and therefore cooler than a state DL.

[IrishXJ]

You will also need a Fed issued OHV license. If you don't have one, plan on spending another $50 to take the test on site. If you haven't got a permit already, you may be too late as most people go early in the spring to get the limited permits they issue.

The cool thing is trying to use your OHV as photo ID for TSA. I had to point out that it's issued by the Fed and therefore cooler than a state DL.

Is this a Florida-specific permit the Fed issues? I've never heard of one around Kentucky.

[irish1371]

I have a brother that works the glades and he let me in... The tires are required to minimize the damage done. Just like big tires on sand they do the same in the glades and get you "on top" of everything helping to not displace the soil ect. Erosion in the glades is a hot topic. It greatly contributes to the lost of species from high sediment in the water. This allows less favorable plants to clog up the waters and reduces the O2 in the water.

I would try to make sure you hit the 9" aired down, I doubt anyone is going to call you on it, but they are trying to let people(jeepers) use the land and be all huggy at the same time. This is something worth respecting.

Disclaimer... FYI 8 yrs USMC so I'm not some tree hugging hippy. My bro from the days in runs a highly toted kayak touring/fishing deal down there and drags out nat geo ect with him when they do any documentaries down there. SO when he feeds me info I consider it spot on.

[Utah KJ]

The permit is different the the OHV License would apply to any federal lands that require it. You have to take a multiple guess test, watch some videos and verify your identity (my UT DL was suffucient). There is no driving test. In Big Cypress, the gates are always locked and the back of your license had a decal with the combo for the lock. They would send out new decals each year because the combo changes.

[Utah KJ]

Disclaimer... FYI 8 yrs USMC so I'm not some tree hugging hippy. My bro from the days in runs a highly toted kayak touring/fishing deal down there and drags out nat geo ect with him when they do any documentaries down there. SO when he feeds me info I consider it spot on.

Well, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[irish1371]

doesn't matter how many times you stay there KJ they will never let ya join into the pron business. You need the smarts and the right equipment :)