A numeric score that quantifies how well an off-road vehicle can articulate its suspension over uneven terrain. It is calculated by driving one front wheel up an angled ramp, typically set at 20 degrees, until any other tire lifts off the ground. The distance traveled up the ramp is divided by the vehicle's wheelbase and multiplied by 1,000. Off-road builders use this metric to compare suspension setups, as higher scores indicate a better capability to keep all four wheels planted on extreme trails.
We measured an RTI of 850 after disconnecting the sway bar, which is a massive improvement over the stock setup.
A common rookie mistake is assuming a higher score automatically means better off-road performance, but excessive flex without proper damping can make a rig unstable on steep side-hills.
Related terms
RTI
Standing for Ramp Travel Index, this metric quantifies a vehicle's suspension articulation and off-road flexibility.
Suspension
The system of springs, dampers, and linkages connecting a vehicle to its wheels.
Sway
The lateral leaning or rolling motion of a vehicle's body during cornering.
Wheelspin
The loss of traction that occurs when a drive wheel rotates faster than the vehicle travels over the ground.