Cooking meals that the whole family enjoys can be a challenge at the best of times. When you are trying to do this in the confined space of a caravan with limited facilities this task is even more daunting. However, there is an easy solution, which is to barbecue whenever you can during your caravanning holiday.

The trick is not to try to cook anything too complicated in your caravan; even barbecue food can be made complicated. You will only have the space for limited condiments and ingredients in the caravan, so elaborate marinades for the meat involving 20 different ingredients are best left for your home barbecues.

If your caravan has a reasonably sized freezer put it to use and stock it with as many burgers, sausage patties, kebabs etc., as you can before you go. Turn the freezer on the day before you leave home, so that it is cold enough to keep everything frozen. Take some frozen corn on the cob and some frozen garlic bread etc with you as well. Fish wrapped in foil with herbs and butter is easy to barbecue and can be prepared at home, frozen and taken with you.

You can use any type of barbecue when caravanning, but the best type is one that is small, light and easy to clean. A small gas barbecue is usually a good option, but you need to check that it can use the same gas as your caravan or you will have to carry an additional bulky and heavy gas bottle just for the barbecue. Disposable or tabletop barbecues are another good option when barbecuing in a caravan. The disposable ones have the added bonus of not needing to be cleaned.

To stay safe when barbecuing whilst caravanning requires a bit more thought and planning than barbecuing at home. You will need to find a flat surface that is not too near to the caravan, the awning, other campers or trees to avoid the risk of fire. You also need to make sure that the barbecue is not placed somewhere that it can be accidentally tipped over by children, other campers or dogs. If it has wheels, you need to chock them, so that the barbecue does not roll away from you whilst you are using it.

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When you decide that you and the family need to get away more together caravanning can be the ideal choice. The question is do you want a static caravan or is a tourer better for your family. Which is right depends on many factors.

Cost is a factor, generally owning and running a static caravan is far more expensive than owning a touring caravan. Even a 2nd hand static caravan costs much more than a 2nd hand tourer and on most UK sites you have to replace them every 15 years or so. Site fees are also usually more expensive at 180 a month you would have to use it every week to get the most out of it.

It is possible to use a touring caravan every week of the year. Most static caravans can only be used for 8-11 months of the year, because the sites close for maintenance or due to local bye-laws.

If it is a home from home you want complete with neighbours, a regular bar or restaurant to drop into then a static caravan is a good option. You will see the same people week in week out, most sites have a social club and a lot have leisure facilities such as pools. However, if you join a touring caravan club, you will end up spending time with the same people and have the adventure of exploring.

Because static caravans are bigger, they can be more expensive to heat than touring caravans. They also tend to cost more to insure.

To help you to decide which type of caravanning is right for you it is possible to buy a cheap tourer and site it for a season on a static caravan site for most of the season, taking it away to other locations for a few weekends during that season. That way you can stay at the static site, use the facilities etc but also try out touring. If you like being on a static site, you can buy a static caravan for the next season and sell the tourer.

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Using a ferry or the EuroTunnel train for the first time whilst towing a caravan can seem daunting. In reality, the process is quite simple, once you know a bit more about what to expect.

Give yourself plenty of time at the ferry or train terminal by arriving early. You will be less flustered and the process will go more smoothly if you do not have to rush things.

Have a folder or bag with your passports, and tickets in it ready to hand over when you book in. After booking in you will be directed to the waiting area. There you can turn off the gas and the 12V supply to your fridge, so that your battery does not go flat.

You are not allowed to take certain food products out of the country. This list changes periodically so check when you book your tickets what the list includes. Do not be tempted to try to sneak any prohibited foods through. If you are stopped at customs and these products are found, you are inviting a full customs search. You are not allowed to take spare petrol on ferries or on EuroTunnel. Pets are permitted, but need the correct paperwork and must be booked in advance. Allow extra time to book in if you have a pet, at least an hour.

When it is time to load, you will be instructed to do so, it is important that you go where instructed. Ferries have special areas into which they load the caravans. Apply your vehicle brake and your caravan brake and leave the car in gear. Take all valuables from your car, you cannot return to your car or caravan during the crossing.

When told to do so, return to your vehicle. Once the ferry or train has come to a complete stop, take the caravan’s handbrake off. When asked to do so, take your car out of gear and start it. Leave the ferry terminal then pull over to put your fridge and gas back on.

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Before taking your caravan abroad check the laws of the country that you plan to go to, and the laws of the countries that you will have to drive through to get there. Review the traffic signs of each country before you begin your journey.

When travelling in Europe all occupants in a car must be restrained by seat belts, in addition children must have the relevant car seats. Dogs also need to be separated in some way from the driver. Take both parts of your original driver’s licence with you and your original insurance documents, in most countries photocopies are not acceptable. You may also need to prove that you are the legal owner of the car and the caravan. Again you will need the original car registration document and your caravan purchase receipt.

When towing a caravan a sticker for your country of origin must be displayed on both your caravan and your car. You also need to fit headlight converters. In addition, you usually need to carry; spare bulbs for the car, a fire extinguisher, 2 warning triangles, high vis jackets, a tool kit, spare tyre, a jack and a first aid kit. In some countries you also need a spare pair of prescription driving glasses and a full set of bulbs for your caravan. In most countries you are expected to have a special set of caravan mirrors fitted to your car.

Before you leave get your car and caravan properly serviced. It is bad enough when your car breaks down abroad, but with a caravan it is much more hassle. Be sure that your breakdown cover is for your caravan as well as for your car. Make sure that it covers you for all of the countries you will travel through, not just for your destination country. Check that your tyres will allow you to travel at the maximum speed permitted, in some countries this speed is higher than in the UK.

The gas used in mainland Europe is different from that used in the UK, take the relevant adapter with you. You can also not exchange caravan gas bottles with those from other countries, so be prepared to pay for the bottle too.

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