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Conquer Winter Roads with Trygg Tire Chains

just for truckers | Posted: 12/15/2021

Did you know that some Provinces require commercial vehicles to carry tire chains? Between October and March, there are signs in British Columbia on certain highways, mountain passes, and rural routes that require vehicles to carry tire chains. We here at ohcanadasupply.ca would recommend that all drivers carry a set of tire chains with them when driving down any roads that may feature poor conditions, but let’s learn more about tire chains.

A Word of Caution

TRYGG TIRE CHAINS

Now, when you use tire chains, you want to make sure that there already 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 that you drive with caution, never go over 50km per hour when driving with tire chains on, as they are not made for top speeds. Most tire chains are rated anywhere from 30km to 50km per hour, so be sure to check the owner’s manual of your particular set of chains.

Parts of a Tire Chain

First 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 the cross-links. These are the parts of the tire chain that go across the tire’s surface, providing traction with the ground. Last are the links themselves, which make up the cross chains. These individual pieces may not seem like much, but they come in a variety of styles that all provide a different kind of traction.

What are Cams?

Cam and 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 tire chains after they’ve been installed on the tire. If you have chains without cam-locks, we recommend you invest in an alternate tensioning system, to ensure that your chains aren’t going to change their position once you get going.

Types of Tire Chain

  • Regular or twist links are the standard type of link, and they’re made with round wire or alloy steel. Twist links are perfect for light trucks, SUVs, and vans as they 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.
  • TRYGG BAR TIRE CHAINS
    TRYGG BAR TIRE CHAINS
  • Square links, also known as ice chains, are made of square wire or alloy metal. They provide great traction in snow, but where these links really shine is on an icy surface. The square edges of the links offer increased bite and surface area, making sure that any slipping and sliding is kept to a minimum.
  • 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 as an ice pick to provide excellent traction. As a plus, they’re also perfect for off-road use. However, use caution with these chains! You’ll want to be sure that at least two to three inches of space between your tire and any other part of your vehicle. After all, the last thing you want from a tire chain is for it to damage your vehicle.

Tire Chain Variations

As if there weren’t enough variations of tire chains already, there are also singlesdoubles, or triples available. Single chains have two outer rails with cross-links between them, which means they aren’t meant for use with uphill traction on dual tires. If you have dual drive tires, you’ll want to go with 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.

TRYGG NET LINK CHAINS
TRYGG NET LINK CHAINS

Another type of tire chain is 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 SMT chains for improved traction in heavy-duty operation, net link chains for versatile use with heavy equipment, and floating ring chains as a cost-effective option on slick roads that aren’t buried in snow.

If you need any parts or accessories for your tire chains, we’ve got that covered. A chain tightening tool 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.

What Trygg Tire Chains are Made of?

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. That is why it’s so important to install them correctly!

Tire Chains and Chain Size

TRYGG TIRE CHAINS

Before installing tire chains, always check the owner’s manual for your vehicle. This will help you determine what size of tire chain to use, which tires to put them on, and if you should even use chains with your make and model in the first place.

Tire chain size isn’t the only thing you need to keep in mind when choosing tire chains. You also need to consider your application! For instance, do you work in the lumber or other industry that is going through hills or rough terrain? Or, are you a trucker or highway service worker navigating hard-surface roads and steep mountain passes? Different applications will require different types of chain links for optimal performance. You’ll also want to know whether you’re applying chains to snow tires, or all seasons. Snow tires have a squarer shoulder and a different tread than all-season tires therefore, they need a longer chain to cover the additional surface area.

How to Install Tire Chains?

  1. 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 any broken links. If there are broken links, DO NOT USE the tire chain until you get it replaced or repaired. It’s always a good idea to have a few repair links on hand, just in case.
  2. Next, find the center point of your chains. This is where you will be lifting them to lay over your tires. After all, you want to lay them as evenly as possible, to make installation a bit less of a headache.
  3. 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. When connecting the chains, be sure to keep an even distance between each connection. That is, make sure that all fastener connections have no more than one links difference between them. For example, if you hook the front chain on the third link, you can hook the rear chain on the second, third, or fourth links only. Also, make sure that all tines are facing away from your tire and that the cams are facing outward, by doing so you will keep the tines from causing any damage to the sidewall of your tires.

Now, it’s a good idea to first install your chains in a controlled situation. That is, in a dry, flat area, so when the time comes to put them on, and you’re in the middle of a blizzard, you’re more familiar with the process. And, if possible, always make sure to “chain up” before you hit poor driving conditions.

Making sure your tire chains are in proper condition without any damage is key to keeping you safe on the road during poor driving conditions. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us here. And make sure to subscribe to our email list so you can stay up to date with things going on here at ohcanadasupply.ca!

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