From Trail Failures to Trusted Performance: Don Rycroft’s RPM Steering Story on “Conversations with Big Rich”

A few weeks ago, Big Rich Klein reached out to Don and asked him if he would do his podcast, " Conversations with Big Rich" Don was humbled and honored that such legend in this industry wanted to hear about RPM and its beginnings so he gladly accepted and you can hear Episode 313 on Spotify.  

https://bigrichklein.com/conversations-with-big-rich-podcast-launched/

The interview between Don Rycroft of RPM Steering and Big Rich Klein feels less like a formal Q&A and more like a conversation between two people who genuinely share a passion for off-roading.

Don opens up about how RPM Steering started—not just as a business, but as a response to his own frustrations with failing parts out on the trail. He talks about the early days of figuring things out, learning through trial and error, and putting in the work to build something he could stand behind. There’s a strong sense of pride when he describes creating products that people can trust in tough, real-world conditions.

Big Rich keeps the tone relaxed and relatable, asking questions that bring out those personal stories rather than just technical details. As Don explains components like tie rods and center links, he ties them back to real experiences—what breaks, why it matters, and how it feels when your equipment holds up when it counts.

They also touch on the human side of the business—long hours, customer relationships, and the responsibility that comes with making parts people depend on for safety. Don emphasizes listening to feedback from the off-road community and how those relationships have helped shape the company.

Overall, the interview highlights not just the technical expertise behind RPM Steering, but the passion, persistence, and personal investment that drive it. It paints Don as someone who isn’t just building parts—he’s solving problems he’s lived through himself, which makes his work resonate more deeply with fellow off-roaders.