Vixen Safety Issue
Dear Vixen RV Owners,
This is an important message regarding a safety issue from the Vixen Owners’ Association:
Some dangerous frame cracks have been discovered that can affect steering on all Vixen motorhomes. The cracks have been found on six out of seven Vixens inspected as of this writing. On the driver’s side, just under the accelerator pedal, there’s a steering component called a bell-crank arm. It looks like a large V, and it transfers the front-to-back steering movement to left-and-right steering components. The bell-crank arm is held to the frame by a bracket. The bracket can be stock or Ackermann. The bracket bolts to the driver’s-side frame rail with four bolts. Two bolts are on the frame rail itself, and two bolts are on an upside-down frame extension. The cracks are on the frame extension.
It is advised that you inspect your Vixen for this issue before driving it again. The Vixen Owners’ Association is working on advisement for repair, and possibly some new parts to correct the issue.
If you’ve sold or no longer own your Vixen, please forward this notice to the new owners.
Note that this is a different problem/issue from the steering box attachment to the forward frame, which is widely known and generally fixed on most Vixens. The steering box is a different component than the bell-crank arm bracket attachment to the frame.
For more information, please see the forum post titled “URGENT: Steering Failure” on the VOA technical forums or contact any of the VOA officers listed on this web page: https://vixenrv.org/help
― Robert Vancreveld, F501901
Portland, Oregon
Camping In The Canyon
The article on Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the December 2022 issue (“The Grand Canyon Of Texas”) brought back many memories. In 1967, with another family, we left our Texas homes on our first camping trip. We had a pop-up camper and a large tent. The four adults, a baby, and two teenage girls were to sleep in the pop-up. The four boys would sleep in the tent. Our first night out was in Palo Duro Canyon. About dinnertime, it started raining. And, boy, did it rain! The next morning, everything we had was soaked. To top it off, we couldn’t leave the campground, because all the low-water crossings were flooded. We finally got out about noon. That next night we had blankets, sleeping bags, etc. spread over every surface we could find to dry out. Welcome to the camping lifestyle.
We went on to have a great two weeks in Colorado. It didn’t dampen our desire and love of the RV experience. In 1973, we bought our first Class C motorhome. Forty-eight years and five different motorhomes finally came to an end last year when we decided “it was enough.” Still proud associate members of FMCA.
― Russ & Marilyn Westcott, F88794
Layton, Utah
We want to hear from you! Family RVing welcomes comments about articles published in the magazine or topics of interest to RV owners. Email readerswrite@fmca.com; mail to Readers Write, FMCA, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Please include your name, city, and state/province. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.