Frank`s 4-WD Adventures

Frank`s 4-WD
Adventures
KELLY TYRES
INTRODUCES A NEW MUDDY TYRE for the 4X4 enthusiast.
Tyre........* Test & Report *……1 / 4
By > Frank Abela
Frank`s 4-WD Adventures
Traralgon Victoria © 2009
Web: www.franks4wdadventures.com
I am not a tyre technician, my tyre assessment is
based on twenty (20) years of 4WDing, presently
as Frank`s 4-WD Adventures.
NB:-My experience, opinion, and or findings
may differ to that of others, I there for take no
responsibility with other individual user
activities and or experiences.
Visiting Tony and the team at Traralgon Tyre Power, my original plan was to fit a set of muddies to
my standard Hi-Lux chromes for the sticky yuk stuff,
and like many other fourby off roaders fit a set of
All-Terrains on another set of rims for around town
and general use.
Tony talked me through some different possibilities
and introduced me to the new Kelly Safari TSR,
which on my first look I nearly passed them up. With
an offer hard to refuse, bolted a set on, and off to the
High Country I went to see how the tyres perform.
Test Vehicle
1996 80 series Toyota Land-Cruiser
Suspension 2” Lift load rated collies and
nitro-gas charged shock absorbers.
Drive Train 5-speed manual constant4-WD, centre diff lock, rear LSD.
* REPORT *
2/4
Dry Bitumen “WOW” what a surprise NO
traditional mud terrain hum, drown, or
chunky tread vibrations. Very pleasant and
Comfortable to drive, “great start me thinks”.
Extreme Cold Wet Bitumen Brilliant even
when pushed slightly above the norm in these
conditions, I felt comfortable and in control.
Hard breaking excellent the tyre hung on,
only when pushed to the limits did the tyre
show signs of letting go, now considering the
cold conditions has an effect on the rubber
compound which hardens the rubber thus
reduces the adhesion capabilities I was very
happy with their performance.
Gravel Corrugated Roads & Tracks
No real drama in this environment, very little
side ways action over corrugations. But
common sense suggests driven hard enough,
could result in an embarrassing situation.
* RIVER CROSSINGS *
The
TSR`s handled the crossing “AH” one
might say “ Like a duck takes to water” , they
provided excellent traction and steering
control negotiating the wet, muddy, rocky
conditions descending and ascending the
river banks.
Driving through the river was uneventful
although not very deep, the river still had
good strong water flow the tyres did not
faultier and provided good directional traction
control over the wet rocky bottom.
*DRIVING IN SNOW & ICE *
3/4
Clear & Open Tread Pattern
SNOW the TSR`s are quite at home on the white stuff, I felt comfortable and in control.
Overall the Kelly`s handled the task of driving in these conditions very well, as the
photos show the TSR`s tread pattern remained fairly void of snow, providing good
traction with very little wheel spin.
ICE no beg pardons here, no matter what tyres you run on your vehicle Kelly Safari
TSR`s included, the only safe way to drive these conditions is to fit chains.
Snow travel can be dangerous, one such danger is “ICE”. You will more then likely
encounter ice on bitumen, gravel roads, and tracks nearing the snow line, hard crusty ice
can also form over the surface of snow there for be safe and carry a set of chains.
* DRIVING IN MUD *
The snow is gone, followed by spring
rain turning some High Country roads
and tracks into a yucky muddy mess, I
was a bit hesitant tackling this section
on my own, but nervously I drove on.
The TSR`s wheel spun in a few places
but still able to grip enough earth to
get the job done.
As one can see by the photos even
though the tyre clogged with the
sticky mud, the tyre still managed to
self clear enough tread to maintain
some sort of traction. Once out of the
yucky stuff, the tyre quickly cleared
the remaining mud in readiness for the
next challenge.
* SUMMING UP *
4/4
Kelly Safari TSR Mud Terrain
I have driven on many different mud
terrains in my 4-WDing up to date, but
I have never experienced a tyre like the
Kelly Safari TSR`s, they are so quiet
on sealed roads you think you are
driving on normal road tyres.
Kelly describes the TSR as an
“ALL SEASON TYRE” meaning they
handle and perform great in all sorts of
different conditions throughout the year.
I found this to be very true, for no
matter what conditions I drove through
the tyre took up the challenge and
delivered great results. For more Info:* Dry Sealed Roads, “wow factor”
quiet, relaxed and comfortable, great to
drive not having to turn the radio up.
* Wet Stormy Weather, excellent
water dispersing tread design
* Gravel Roads & Tracks, no fuss
directional control, very little sideways
* Snow, performed well, felt safe,
good traction, minimal wheel spin
* Ice, no if buts or may be Chains Required
* Mud, great performer, will handle
most conditions. But like all other mud
terrains tyres, there not bullet proof in
extreme heavy going can bog down.
My original plan to have two (2) sets
of tyres EG: muddies and all terrains,
now not required. The TSR`s are so
versatile and comfortable they can be
left on all the time, resulting in huge $
saving.
A huge thank you to TONY & the team at
Traralgon TYREPOWER & KELLY TYRES