We spent four nights up at Stevens Pass last weekend. On Thursday night there was 8"-10" of new snow that was cleared off roofs and slide-outs by mid-day Friday. The snow continued lightly all weekend until sometime late Saturday night while we slept. We woke up to just over 20" of fresh stuff.
Our original plan was to head home Sunday but the highway was closed for hours for avalanche control (the explosions started around 4am) and when the highway did open the State Patrol was requiring chains on SR#2. So...I had the opportunity to install and test my Peerless Auto-Trac chains that I'd really hoped I wouldn't have to use.
Installation was pretty easy. I drove the inside rear up onto a picee of 2x12d and then used the levelers to take up the slack in the rear suspension. The self-tightening chains really did work as described and, meeting Class "S" clearance there was still enough room between the tires and the outer body panels that I felt comfortable no damage would occur.
Coming down out of the RV lot there was zero slippage and my traction was impressive. Once on the highway, I kept it under 30MPH for the ride down. I stopped at the first chain-off ramp as the road was nearly bare and the ride was getting pretty rough.
All-in-all it was a successful test and I'm glad to know I have the back-up should I need it. I'll admit I was pretty nervous because of the horror stories I've heard of chains ripping into wheel arches.
For the money, and if you live a lifestyle that puts you in these situations, I highly recommend the Peerless Auto-Trac chains.
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