Planning a European trip with caravan in tow can increase the pleasure of traveling but can obviously lead to major headaches if there is inadequate planning and forethought.Check that your insurance policy includes European travel and breakdown assistance.

If your policy has only a limited mileage cover you will need to update it. Once you have decided on traveling abroad check all your papers and documentation to ensure you have all the necessary papers which will vary from country to country.. They may include;

• Currency
• Driving licence
• E111 health service certificate and photocopies - check recent changes in E111s
• Travel tickets
• Green card
• International Driving Permit
• Insurance contact numbers
• Maps and guides
• MOT certificate
• NHS medical card
• Passport and visas
• Pet documents/addresses of vets abroad
• Travel insurance documents

The lower the weight the safer the caravan and towing vehicle will be make sure you match your car and van correctly and that the car has adequate power, the loaded tourer should be no more than 85% of your car's kerb-side weight. The weight should be evenly distributed with most heaviest items placed over the wheels of a single-axeled van and with the least weight at the front.

Exceeding the noseweight will put additional strain on the car or caravan chassis and could cause expensive damage. A good set of extended mirrors that do not project more than 200mm outside the caravan width are essential. Practicing manoeuvering, towing and reversing is a good idea even if you are an experienced caravaner.

For details of sites abroad and further information on traveling with caravans click on the link below;

www.caravanclub.co.uk