How to check cooling fans

Hi everyone

I will be going on holiday with my L series freelander next month but I'm worried that it may over heat after a long run, as the cooling fans have never come on before. The engine hasn't over heated, but even when it was red hot last week in traffic they didn't come on. I wondered if there was a way of checking them as my pug 406 fans didn't come on around town but after a long run it broke down stuck in traffic 200 miles from home with a car full of children and cases because the cooling fans didn't work at all. I clearly want to prevent this happening again so wondered if there was a away to test them.

I would be grateful for any advice on this. I'm also semi competent with some spanners

Thanks
Tripud

You have to disconnect the fan and wire it straight to 12v DC.
But to be honest my fan rarely comes on even after towing a caravan for 150 miles!
I do use water wetter in my cooling system for peace of mind though.
Mike