Service Guide

How Long Does a Caravan Service Take?

One of the first practical questions people ask when booking a caravan service is how long they'll be without their van. The answer depends on a few factors — here's a straightforward guide.

May 2026 4 min read

Typical Turnaround Times

Basic Brakes and Bearings Service

A brakes-and-bearings-only service on a single-axle van typically takes 1 full day. Dual-axle vans add several hours to this.

Full Annual Service

A comprehensive annual service covering running gear, chassis, electrical, water systems, and seals takes 1–2 days for most vans.

Service Plus Repairs

If the service reveals work that needs doing — new brake shoes, replacement magnets, suspension components — add time for parts sourcing and installation. Straightforward repairs are often completed in the same visit.

Pre-Purchase Inspection

A pre-purchase inspection takes 2–3 hours and the report is typically ready the same day.

What Affects How Long It Takes

How Busy the Workshop Is

At Alpine Caravan Services, we aim for turnaround within 2–3 days of your booked drop-off date. We'll always give you an honest estimate when you book.

The Condition of the Van

A neglected van takes longer to service than one that's been well maintained. Seized components, heavy corrosion, and components that are difficult to remove all add time.

Parts Availability

We stock the most common components for Australian caravans, but older or imported vans can occasionally need parts ordered in.

Number of Axles

A dual-axle service takes roughly 40–60% longer than a single-axle for the same scope of work.

How to Minimise Your Time Without the Van

1

Book in advance

Good workshops fill up quickly, especially heading into school holidays and long weekends. Book 4–6 weeks ahead if possible.

2

Tell us about any known issues when you book

The more we know upfront, the better we can plan the visit.

3

Drop off first thing

Early drop-off means your van is first in the queue for that day.

Do You Need to Wait at the Workshop?

No — drop the van off, head home or to work, and we'll call or message you when it's ready. If we find anything during the service that needs a decision from you, we'll contact you before doing anything additional.

What About Urgent Jobs?

If you're heading away in a few days and something's come up, call us directly. We'll do our best to fit urgent safety-related work in quickly.

Book Your Caravan Service

Ready to lock in a date? Get in touch today and we'll confirm availability and turnaround time for your specific van.

Alpine Caravan Services · 7 Pacific Place, Kilsyth, VIC 3137