Systems and methods for measuring a corner travel index

1. A method for measuring a corner travel index for a vehicle, the method including:

elevating a first tire on the vehicle and a second tire on the vehicle from a horizontal plane defining a ground level, wherein the first tire is opposite the second tire;

ceasing to raise the first tire and the second tire at the highest point at which any non-elevated tires remain on the ground level;

measuring the vertical clearance between the ground level and the lowest point of the first tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the ground level and the lowest point of the second tire; and

calculating a corner travel index.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the standard pressure is approximately 15 psi.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first tire is the front driver tire; and

the second tire is the rear passenger tire.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the value of the corner travel index is calculated using the equation:

corner travel index=(FDT+RPT)×2×10

where:

FDT is the measured clearance of the front passenger tire; and

RPT is the measured clearance of the rear driver tire.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first tire is the front passenger tire; and

the second tire is the rear driver tire.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the value of the corner travel index is calculated using the equation:

corner travel index=(FPT+RDT)×2×10

where:

FPT is the measured clearance of the front passenger tire; and

RDT is the measured clearance of the rear driver tire.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first tire is elevated using a first lift; and

the second tire is elevated using a second lift.

8. The method of claim 7 ,

the first lift includes a first platform; and

the second lift includes a second platform.

9. A method for measuring a corner travel index for a vehicle, the method including:

setting all tire pressures on a vehicle to a standard pressure;

elevating a first tire on the vehicle and a second tire on the vehicle from a horizontal plane defining a ground level, wherein the first tire is opposite the second tire;

ceasing to raise the first tire and the second tire at the highest point at which a third tire and a fourth tire remain on the ground level, wherein the third tire is opposite the fourth tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the ground level and the lowest point of the first tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the ground level and the lowest point of the second tire; and

elevating the third tire on the vehicle and the fourth tire on the vehicle from the ground level;

ceasing to raise the third tire and the fourth tire at the highest point at which a first tire and a second tire remain on the ground level;

measuring the vertical clearance between the ground level and the lowest point of the third tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the ground level and the lowest point of the fourth tire; and

calculating a corner travel index.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the first tire is the front driver tire;

the second tire is the rear passenger tire;

the third tire is the front passenger tire; and

the fourth tire is the rear driver tire.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the first tire is the front passenger tire;

the second tire is the rear driver tire;

the third tire is the front driver tire; and

the fourth tire is the rear passenger tire.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein, wherein the value of the corner travel index is calculated using the equation:

corner travel index=(FPT+RDT+FDT+RPT)×10

where:

FPT is the measured clearance of the front passenger tire;

RDT is the measured clearance of the rear driver tire;

FDT is the measured clearance of the front driver tire; and

RPT is the measured clearance of the rear passenger tire.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the height of the first tire when elevated is independent of the height of the second tire when elevated.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the height of the third tire when elevated is independent of the height of the fourth tire when elevated.

15. A method for measuring a corner travel index for a vehicle, the method including:

setting all tire pressures on a vehicle to a standard pressure of approximately 15 psi;

placing the vehicle on a corner travel index trailer, wherein the corner travel index trailer includes:

a deck, wherein the deck is large enough to accommodate the vehicle;

a first powered lift, wherein the first powered lift includes a first platform, the first platform being level with the deck;

a second powered lift, wherein the second powered lift includes a second platform, the second platform being level with the deck;

a third powered lift, wherein the third powered lift includes a third platform, the third platform being level with the deck;

a fourth powered lift, wherein the fourth powered lift includes a fourth platform, the fourth platform being level with the deck;

one or more controls, wherein the one or more controls govern operation of the first powered lift, second powered lift, third powered lift and fourth powered lift;

wherein the first powered lift, the second powered lift, third powered lift, and fourth powered lift are configured to be operated independent of one another;

elevating a first tire on the vehicle and a second tire on the vehicle from the deck, wherein the first tire is opposite the second tire;

ceasing to raise the first tire and the second tire at the highest point at which a third tire and a fourth tire remain on the deck, wherein the third tire is opposite the fourth tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the deck and the lowest point of the first tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the deck and the lowest point of the second tire; and

elevating the third tire on the vehicle and the fourth tire on the vehicle from the deck;

ceasing to raise the third tire and the fourth tire at the highest point at which a first tire and a second tire remain on the deck;

measuring the vertical clearance between the deck and the lowest point of the third tire;

measuring the vertical clearance between the deck and the lowest point of the fourth tire; and

calculating a corner travel index.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein:

the first powered lift is a hydraulic lift;

the second powered lift is a hydraulic lift;

the third powered lift is a hydraulic lift; and

the fourth powered lift is a hydraulic lift.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the trailer further includes:

a ramp, the ramp configured to allow a user to drive the vehicle onto the deck of the trailer.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the trailer further includes:

a hitch, wherein the hitch is configured to allow the trailer to be towed by an automobile.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more controls include a display, wherein the display indicates the height relative to the deck of each of:

the first platform;

the second platform;

the third platform; and

the fourth platform.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the trailer further includes:

one or more openings in the deck, wherein the one or more openings allows:

the first lift to extend through the deck;

the second lift to extend through the deck;

the third lift to extend through the deck; and

the fourth lift to extend through the deck.