FL - State Park Recommendations

[FC]

Frances the rainbow springs construction will end soon. I too cant wait. They are doing a lot of upgrading to the camp grounds and such. This is not a bad thing. With the economy like it is I am suprised that some of the parks have not been closed. I hope it dont come to this. I think the state parks here are a money maker myself.

 

[silvermickey2002]

Isn't everything under water about now with all the rain they have had in the last few days??

 

[FC]

Under water is an under statement. We needed the rain but not all at once. When this is over the Mosquitos will be so big they will need landing instructions to land.

 

[Sharon]

With all the great recommendations on the Florida State parks. So many are not that close to me.

So, Im wondering. How far it is okay to tow the pup. I worry about the small 10" tires, we put brand new ones on. But need to repack the bearings.

How far have you all towed? Im thinking I need to make reservations for next year since they book as far in advance.

Thanks
Sharon

 

[Sharon]

Florida State park link

http://www.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=FLSP&CU_ID=1

Sharon

 

[Wizfisher]

So, Im wondering. How far it is okay to tow the pup. I worry about the small 10" tires, we put brand new ones on. But need to repack the bearings.

How far have you all towed? Im thinking I need to make reservations for next year since they book as far in advance.

Thanks
Sharon

As far as you feel comfortable towing. Just do the proper maintenance on your tires (proper inflation) and your hubs and you will be fine.
I wouldn't feel comfortable going too fast with the little tires though. There is probably a recommended speed limit and I would not exceed that with the little tires. The axle would be spinning that much faster.

Another thing to do is check the temperature of your hubs every so often. I like to drive for about 30 minutes and check them by feeling them. If there is too much heat (can't leave you hand on them for more than a few seconds) they should probably be repacked.

The furthest we have traveled so far is from Central Florida (near Lakeland) to St. Augustine and back. About 3 hours each way and it was our first trip.

Next month we will be heading up to Virginia for 4 nights, then to the North Carolina mountains for 3 nights and then to the Savannah area for a night before heading home. About 1800 miles with the pup in tow.

We have 13" tires on our pup and I keep it about 65-70 mph while on the highway.

 

[mr. commerce]

That's the only downer with the SPs, some of them are so far away. So far Bahia Honda is the farthest we've gone, ~400 miles each way from Lutz. I usually drive about 70-75, and routinely check the hub temp.

 

[Sharon]

DH and I plan to drive down to Little Manattee SP and Lake Manattee SP this weekend and check it out. Its not to far from us, and just up the road from EG Simmons Park where we usually camp, its a county park not a state park.

He will be off work for 2 weeks recouping from Cochlear ear implant and he thinks he wants to recoup in the woods. We will see about that.

Sharon

 

[chrismarques]

We stayed at Manatee Springs state park new years 2007 and loved it. Also been twice to Lake Griffin state park near Leesburg, very nice and quiet

 

[Lenny]

I don't believe I've seen anyone comment on Highland Hammocks State Park near Sebring. It has very lush vegetation, a great tour, and memorable walks (the catwalk through the cypress swamp is really great).

Many of the campsites are a bit too tight but the park is absolutely worth a visit.

 

[screwballl]

My suggestions for other pup owners somewhat closer to my area:
Rocky Bayou SP
Three Rivers SP
Florida Caverns SP
Blackwater River SP

 

[flakeyspam]

Screwball torreya is in that area and is very nice to I love the house there

 

[screwballl]

Screwball torreya is in that area and is very nice to I love the house there

I have heard both good and bad things about it... we may take a drive one day just to take a look...