Not all caravan services are the same. Here's exactly what a comprehensive annual caravan service includes — and what questions to ask your workshop before you book.
"Getting the caravan serviced" means different things to different workshops. A basic brakes-and-bearings check and a full annual service are very different jobs — and knowing the difference matters for your safety and your budget.
Here's what a proper annual caravan service covers, based on what we do at Alpine Caravan Services in Kilsyth.
This is the core of any caravan service and includes:
Stripped, cleaned, inspected for wear, repacked with fresh high-temperature grease, and resealed. Split pins and dust caps replaced as required.
Brake shoes and drums inspected for wear and scoring, brake magnets tested for output and condition, wiring connections checked, handbrake cable adjusted and tested.
Tyre pressures checked and corrected, tread depth and condition inspected, wheel nuts torqued to manufacturer specification.
Leaf springs and shackles inspected for cracks and wear, suspension components greased where applicable, ride height checked.
Coupling mechanism inspected and adjusted, handbrake cable checked for fraying, drawbar visually inspected for cracks or stress marks.
Every service should include a visual inspection of the chassis for signs of cracking, corrosion, or stress — particularly around weld points and cross-members. We also check all mounting points and look for signs of structural fatigue from off-road use or overloading.
Exterior lights — brake lights, indicators, reversing light, clearance lights — are tested. Wiring connections at the plug and along the chassis are inspected for chafing, corrosion, or loose connections.
A full service includes checking water tank mountings, inspecting hose connections and taps for leaks, and a visual check of exterior seals around windows, hatches, and roof penetrations. We flag any seals showing signs of deterioration — catching a failing seal early costs nothing; repairing the water damage it causes can run into thousands.
After every service at Alpine Caravan Services, you receive a written report with photos covering everything we inspected, what condition we found it in, what work was done, and any recommendations for follow-up. No jargon — plain English explanations so you understand what's going on with your van.
At Alpine Caravan Services in Kilsyth, we service all caravan makes and models across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
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