We got a little snow in the City of Portland, where 1/16" causes chaos, maybe 1/2". Drover the van out from our house Sunday AM, we have a serious steep hill to get out or our hood. Took the van to a couple stores, then parked at bottom of the hill at a local park. Late Sunday the snow got rained on and we had a freezing rain warning. I tested out the new SZ429 "Z chains" this morning, for about 3/4 mile. They went on as easily as the test fit in July. I have them over the LT225/70R16 DuraTrac's, so some beefy tread to pull them over. On in say 3 -5 minutes a side. The neighborhood was an ice rink, they (the chains), got me going to drive down the lesser hills, and down to the main street, where at about 3/4 mile, I took them off.
The chains worked great... I did have some rubbing sounds at maybe 15mph? maybe 20 mph..... they are hitting my mud flaps, not metal on metal. With the 16" wheels on the little 118WB they is pretty low clearance to the mud flaps. Wish they didn't hit at all.... that would be my only complaint, as they are designed to be reduced clearance chains.
So with them the van handled a good long downhill of 10 -15% on ICE, about 1/4" to 1/2" thick Ice. I was driving slow, so no surprise that they handled it.
just thought I should give follow up feedback, since I got to use them..... On the snow day, I ran all over town. Only struggle was our neighborhood hill. I have at this time, only about 10 pounds of additional weight in the rear, but I have all the seats in 2nd row, third row, which are not light.
The Duratracs run great in the snow, drove at reduced speeds, as common with any winter condition.
Derek