With summer now not too far away, many caravanners old and new will be looking to take their caravans outside the UK for the first time.

Darren Brown, a Partner at local caravan and outdoor specialist Broad Lane Leisure, has put together a handy list of tips for first-time foreign caravanners for both before they depart and when they are at their destination, to ensure their overseas caravanning experience is a happy and relaxing one.

Darren says: "Caravanning abroad is becoming increasingly popular among the new and growing generations of British caravan owners and summer is of course the most popular time. While France has traditionally been the place where most Britons head for, destinations further afield are becoming increasingly popular for the more ambitious owners."

Darren's top 10 tips are:

1) Sort out your insurance well in advance. As well as personal travel insurance and E111, ensure your motoring insurance covers your trip abroad. You'll also need to do the same with the caravan's own insurance policy while breakdown and recovery insurance, including the facility for repatriation, through a reputable organisation such as the AA or RAC is highly recommended.

2) When choosing a site, remember to check it has what you are looking for, in terms of location, facilities and size. In the height of summer, it's also worth knowing whether your pitch will be shaded. For many sites it is vital to book in advance especially if you are travelling in the main holiday period.

3) Plan your route. In France (and many other countries) there is a toll for the use of motorways, which may be higher for vehicles towing caravans, so you will need to weigh up the extra cost against the fact that you will get to your destination more quickly. The scenic route might be slower but may also be more relaxing! Also bear in mind that travelling in the middle of the day may become uncomfortably hot, so make time for rest stops.

4) Check what extra equipment you need to have with your vehicle. Headlamp converters, a First Aid kit and spare bulbs are compulsory in France, while fire extinguishers and warning triangles are also recommended. Each country has its own rules so check and buy what you need well in advance. Nearside and offside extending mirrors are also recommended. Remember speed limit signs are in kilometres per hour, not miles per hour!

5) The Camping Card International - a type of 'Camping Passport' - is highly recommended across Europe and is compulsory if you want to use a site in Denmark. It only costs a few pounds and can be obtained through the AA or RAC if you are a member.

6) The fitment of Tyron safety bands prevents a tyre flying off in the event of a blow-out, allowing you to bring your outfit to safety, offering extra peace of mind, for regular long-haul caravanners as well as first-time 'local' towers.

7) If you have an awning, take heavy-duty tent pegs and a sturdy mallet to peg it out as the ground abroad can be much drier and harder than in the UK. Your local dealer will be able to supply what you need.

8) While most UK electrical appliances will work on sites abroad, using a standard UK mains hook-up lead, beware of the possibility of 'reverse polarity'. This occurs abroad when the site's 'live' supply line is connected to the caravan's neutral, and vice versa. Checking with a polarity tester, again available from dealers, will identify this - many caravanners make up an adaptor with the live and neutral wires reversed, to cope with this problem.

9) Calor Gas is not available abroad - you can obtain Campingaz but will need an adaptor to fit a Calor butane installation.

10) Many of us love al fresco living and cooking but remember to check before you light a barbecue on site - some sites feel they are a fire risk, especially in wooded areas.

Darren commented: "Many of the items that need to be checked can be dealt with easily before you depart - it's really just a question of setting aside a couple of hours to go through a list. A little time spent on preparation in advance can make all the difference between a relaxing break and a last-minute dash to purchase essential items for the holiday."

Further information on caravanning overseas can be obtained from either the Camping & Caravanning Club or the Caravan Club of Great Britain.

Broad Lane Leisure operates locally from facilities in Alcester, Daventry, Kenilworth and Rugby, offering a full range of new and used caravans, awnings, accessories and servicing.

now thats just typical....we have just come back from france.

I can add:

for the breakdown insurance - the cover offered by the manufacturer often will not cover the trailer.Because of this I have had to take out another breakdown policy for both vehicles just to cover the caravan ,Effectively the car is covered twice - seems a waste of money but y uo can be sure that if a wheel falls off or something it will happen in the middle of the holiday half way up a mountain

travelling in the middle of the day may be hotter but no one else will so in most areas the roads are empty..thats what air con is for!

If using an Octy its very hard to get headlight converters...there is a thread on here that gives the shape of masks but it will need to be converted as its for left hand drive but otherwise seems to work well.Beside,so many people do nothing about converters,if you at least are seen the try it must be better

finally .....

DONT FORGET THE SPEED TRAPS

marc

I towed for 8 years on the Continent. A spare wheel for the caravan is essential - one was compulsory for British Forces Germany-registered caravans - and so are extending mirrors. There is nothing more nerve-wracking than feeding onto an autobahn from a sliproad on a right hand bend and being unable to see the traffic you are trying to merge with.

I pulled for 8 years on the Continent.

You fly boys...