How to Choose and Install Trygg Tire Chains – Gear Up With Gregg’s

Hey! My name's Rob, and I'm part of the Outside
Sales Department here at Gregg Distributors. In Canada, winter means a whole lot of ice
and snow, and sometimes a set of winter tires just cant cut it. That's why on Gear Up with Gregg's, we're
going to discuss Trygg's line of tire chains and how they can help keep you on the road
and out of trouble. Trygg has been manufacturing chains since
1939, and this Norwegian company knows all about safety. After all, its right in their name! But why would you need tire chains in the
first place? Did you know that some Provinces require
commercial vehicles to carry tire chains? There are signs in British Columbia on certain highways, mountain passes, and rural routes that require
the vehicles to carry tire chains.

It is even recommended that all drivers carry
a set of tire chains with them when driving through any roads that may feature poor conditions. When you use tire chains, you want to
make sure there is a layer of snow or ice on the road. Driving with chains on bare pavement can cause
damage to the chains, your tires, or even the road! You also want to make sure you drive with
caution, since most tire chains are rated anywhere from 30 km per hour to 50 km per
hour. Be sure to check the owners manual of your
particular chains! To get an understanding of how they work,
lets take a look at the parts that make up a tire chain. First up is the side chain, also known as
the rim chain.

These are the lengths of chain that form the
framework of the tire chain. Next are the cross chains, also known as cross
links. These are the parts of the chain that go across
the tire tread, providing traction with the ground. Last are the links themselves, which make
up the cross chain, and these come in a variety of styles that all provide different kinds
of traction. Studded links are the most popular type we carry here at Gregg's. Studded links are perfect for light trucks,
SUVs, and vans and provide excellent traction in deep snow and mud. However, if you're driving on a lot of ice,
you might want something with a bit more bite. Net links, or double diamond links, are a
style of heavy-duty chain perfect for loaders, graders, and tractors. The pattern resembles tandem diamond shapes
running the length of the chain, forming a net over the tire's surface. V-bar links, or ice picks, are a ladder-style
chain used for pickup trucks and SUVs.

Reinforced with pieces of metal sticking up
in a V shape, this chain works like an ice pick to provide excellent traction. As a plus, they're also perfect for off-road
use. All Trygg tire chains are manufactured with
a double-steel layer. The outer layer is carbon-rich for increased
wear resistance while the inner layer is a chrome alloy. On top of that, all of the studs and lugs
are oversized and made of boron alloyed steel to ensure maximum core hardness.

The Trygg process of hardening these chains
makes them tough, but also causes them to become brittle under extreme pressure, which
is why its so important to install them correctly! When choosing your tire chains, you first
need to know the size of your tire. Our catalogue has a handy reference chart
to find out what types of tire chains you can use with different sizes of tires. Once you have your tire specs, follow the
chart, and choose which style of chain you're looking for. Second, you will need to consider your driving
conditions. For instance, do you work in the lumber industry
and often travel through hills or rough terrain? Or, are you a trucker navigating hard-surface
roads and steep mountain passes? Different applications will require different
types of chain links for optimal performance.

To start, lay out the chains with the tines
facing up. Make sure they are laying flat and that there
are no twists or kinks in the chain. Inspect the entire assembly for broken links. If there are broken links, don't use it until
you get them replaced or repaired. Its always a good idea to have a few repair
links on hand, just in case. Next, find the center point of your chains. This is where you will be lifting them to
lay over your tires. Then, install the chains on the drive axle. For instance, if you have a front-wheel drive
vehicle, this would mean you install the chains on the front wheels. Make sure that the tines are facing away from
your tire, keeping them from causing any damage to the sidewall, and that the cams are facing

What are cams? Well, cams, or cam locks, are the crescent
shaped metal pieces available on some types of tire chains. They act as tensioning devices, allowing you
to fine-tune the tightness of your chains after they've been installed. If you have chains without cam locks, we recommend
you invest in an alternate tensioning system, like these snubber chain tensioners to ensure
that your chains aren't going to shift once you get going. If its your first time installing tire chains,
it's a good idea to do it in a controlled situation.

That way, when the time comes to put them
on, you're not stuck in the middle of a blizzard trying to figure it out. And if possible, always make sure to chain
up BEFORE you hit poor driving conditions. If you have dual drive tires, you'll want
to go with dual triple chains. These are designed to fit over dual drive
tires, and with the center rail between the tires, you get extra strength and traction! As well, the chains on each tire are staggered
to ensure constant contact with the road.

Another type are cable chains, which wrap
around the tire and are easier to install. However, these types of chains are not to
be used on commercial vehicles! There are also SMT chains for improved traction
in heavy-duty vehicle operation… … and floating ring chains as another option on
icy and muddy roads. If you need any parts or accessories for your
tire chains, we've got you covered. Chain tightening tools will make sure you've
got the right tension. Boomers fasten the two ends of your side chain
together, while replacement chain sections make sure you're never left stranded with a damaged chain. Now, I know that seems like a lot of information,
but don't worry! Leave a comment down below or give us a call
and our friendly experts can hook you up with all the information you need. Or, you can visit our website at Again, I'm Rob and thank you for tuning
in to Gear up with Gregg's.

Have a great Canadian day!.

You May Also Like