RTI Ramp Details

RTI Ramp History
It's believed that the RTI ramp was originally designed by Four Wheeler magazine.  RTI stands for Ramp Travel Index, which is basically a percentage of your wheelbase. The RTI ramp serves two basic purposes, bragging rights and testing.  RTI scores have become a measure of how capable your rig is on the trail. The higher the RTI score the better your rig should be on the trail, in theory, and the more bragging rights you have. A RTI ramp is also a great way to max out your suspension to determine if new modifications made an improvement, how much of an improvement, check for binding, rubbing, make sure things, like brake hoses, aren't going to break on the trail, etc. I prefer it's use for the latter, but RTI ramp competitions can be a lot of fun. The original ramp standard was a 20 degree ramp, but with the advances in suspension design and technology we are seeing an increase in ramps that are 23, 25, and 30 degrees.

RTI Ramp Competition Rules
The rules here are to ensure fairness and equality for all rigs when competing for the Ramp King title!!!

1.      Tire pressure must be equal in all four tires. 

2.      Shocks must be mounted. 

3.      No score on ramping in reverse.  (Can be done for “exhibition”)

4.      Your score is determined when you no longer have all four wheels touching.  Going higher is dangerous and done at your own risk!

RTI Ramp Measurements
There are several methods of taking RTI ramp measurements, but we prefer to measure from the bottom of the tire on the centerline of the hub to the ground end of the ramp. 

RTI Scoring
As with measuring there are several methods of scoring. The method we chose is the following:

RTI = distance traveled up the ramp divided by wheelbase x 1000

So, for my XCab Tacoma, if I were to travel 60” up the ramp, my score would be 492.2.  If I traveled 90”, it would be 738 and so on.  To score a “perfect” score, you must drive a distance up the ramp equal to your wheelbase.

Remember:  When you tell someone your RTI score, it is critical that you include the angle of the ramp.  The same vehicle will score higher on a ramp with less angle.

-Rob (WATRD)

http://www.watrd.com