Touring caravans

[sherrardk]

We have rented a touring caravan and are heading to the South of France - we've never done this before (rented a caravan that is). Are there any really obvious things that we should know? Thanks

[B00]

Don't forget to attach it to the car.

[sherrardk]

Got that one covered - have had a tow bar fitted!

[boxtops]

Make sure you have insurance for it. I used to work with a bloke who rolled his towing caravan and was appalled to find that it wasn't covered by his car insurance.

[yelenots]

Have a look on the Caravan Club website.

[Hawkwalk]

dont forget you are towing it and drive into a multi story car park

[sherrardk]

God, I won't be driving - don't do driving abroad (or motorways or mulit-storey car parks!) and definately will not be towing a caravan! My job is to keep the kids happy!

[boxtops]

Sherrard, I've been in a static caravan on a site in the south of France, and if there is one thing we noticed, it got very hot and the caravan was like a little boiler. Depending on where you are going, do take lots of mozzie stuff (especially if you have to leave the windows open at night). Make sure also that you all have your EHIC cards for reciprocal medical care in France - just in case.... http://www.nhs.uk/NHS...ges/Introduction.aspx

[jno]

don't forget what side of the road you're driving, especially when doing things like coming off roundabouts or out of service stations (that's for your driver more than you, of course).

It'll be hot down there. Sunscreen, mozzie repellent and stuff as boxtops says. Avoid narrow coast roads round St Tropez if you're in the neighbourhood - they get crowded and being in a caravan won't help. Stick to major roads when you can.

[SeaJayPea]

It's a requirement in France that you carry hi-viz jackets and a warning triangle. I think that only the driver must wear one if you break down, but might be an idea to get everybody kitted out just in case.

[Mosaic]

The extended wing mirrors would be useful. If it is the first time you have driven there and towed and use good quality LARGE SCALE maps - these help you to see that what looks like merely down the road and across the hill is a 300-mile mountain trek on hairpin bends. I suggest for travelling longer distances you keep to the autoroutes as these are straight and clear. Something like the michelin guide to camping and caravanning is very handy for planning which campsites you will head for.
A good tip for drivers new to continental roads is 'keep your rse in the gutter' - like Jno says, easy to revert to UK road styles when you are tired, off guard, having to make road choices without following the vehicle in front.
If the caravan doesn't have an awning it might be worth getting one of those garden pergola things, as you will need shade and the van will be hot during the day. If you have kids, one of those shake-up pup tents is handy, means you can still enjoy 'relations' without waking them up. And I don't mean auntie edna.

[ojread2]

for general road rules and laws check this out
http://www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/

You will need, for example, by law, to take a spare pair of glasses with you if you need them for driving
You also need high vis vests ... so on and so forth, there are more