Kinetic recovery ropes is where it all started!
Why a Kinetic Recovery Rope is a Must-Have (Even if You Think You Can't Afford It)
Let's face it—offroad recovery gear is essential, but it's often the last thing we buy. Most of us pour any extra cash into vehicle upgrades and flashy accessories, forgetting about the gear that could save us when we’re knee-deep in trouble. That is, until the day comes when your pride and joy gets stuck, and suddenly, you're left with mud on your face because you can’t get yourself unstuck.
Every offroader needs recovery gear. Heading out without it is like going into battle without ammo—not exactly the smartest move.
I wouldn't settle for less
Flashback to nearly two years ago when I got my first Hilux 4x4 2.4 bakkie. My first stop? Safari Centre, to pick up some soft-shackles and a recovery rope. Now, I grew up with snatch straps, but after actually reading the fine print and learning about their limited lifespan, stretch, and the need for reset periods, I realized that a snatch strap wasn’t the way to go. I wanted a kinetic recovery rope, but the price tag was a shocker. Not keen on splurging for a rope or settling for a snatch strap, I ended up walking out with a tow strap, two soft-shackles, and some metal bow shackles - as if that would be a solution!
Finding a Solution
Fast forward a year, Theunis got his Ford Ranger 4x4, and our first adventure was at Atlantis Dunes. Naturally, the topic of recovery gear came up. We didn’t have any, so we asked a friend to grab one on his way. He was stunned by the prices of kinetic ropes and left the store empty-handed. That’s when Theunis, with his sailing background, mentioned how simple it would be to make our own kinetic ropes.
After some convincing, Theunis showed me how easy it was to make a kinetic recovery rope. We realized there were probably others who felt the same way we did, and that’s when we decided to sell the ropes we made. We partnered up, named the business after my wire-haired Jack Russell, Rusty, and founded Rusty 4x4 in August 2023.
Our aim was to produce kinetic recovery ropes ourselves, sourcing all materials and ropes locally. We’re proud to offer a truly South African product, avoiding Chinese imports whenever possible, and supporting our local market first. Our goal is now to become the premium local South African brand with the best support and backing within the next two years!
We believe we can reach that goal with the support and feedback from our customers and the continuous testing and improvements that we do.