News from Western Towing

Newton Abbot and Exeter Merging Branches:

After much anticipation, Western Towing is taking a bold step forward by merging our branches into our existing premises on the vibrant Marsh Barton Trading Estate, Exeter. This significant move marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our journey, and we can’t wait to bring you along with us.

Passing the Torch:
We bid a fond farewell to Mark, Richard, and Gary Saxton, who are retiring after an incredible 45 years of dedication to our business, founded by their parents, Brian and Sybil Saxton, in Teignmouth in 1977. Rest assured, the legacy continues in capable hands of Michael Saxton and Chris Hood with the help of Hayley Saxton and the Team. Mike & Chris are two seasoned veterans with over 40 years of collective experience at Western Towing. Their expertise and passion for our community will guide us into a promising future.

Why the Move?
Deciding to close a branch is never easy, but after careful consideration, we found compelling reasons to consolidate our presence. With advancements in local infrastructure, including the Torbay bypass to the A380 and our robust online platform, we’re now more connected than ever before. Merging our branches, only 20 miles apart, streamlines our operations and allows us to serve you better.

Expanding Horizons:
Our relocation to Exeter is part of a larger expansion plan. By moving all of the business to Marsh Barton, we’re better positioned to reach a wider customer base, including the Commercial Van and Leisure industry sectors, comprising Caravans and Motorhomes. This move opens doors to new possibilities, enabling us to offer you an even more extensive range of products and services.

Enhanced Experience:
At our Marsh Barton location, you’ll find improved facilities, a spacious forecourt designed for easy access, and a team of highly skilled technicians ready to assist you. We’re investing in our staff, ensuring they receive top-notch training, guaranteeing you the expert guidance and support you deserve.

Community Engagement and Sustainability:
We’re not just relocating; we’re becoming an integral part of the vibrant Exeter community. Expect to see us actively participating in local events and initiatives, contributing to the local economy, and promoting environmental sustainability. Our new location will incorporate energy-efficient practices, aligning with our commitment to a greener future.

Your Trusted Partner:
Above all, this move is about enhancing your experience. With a broader product range, improved services, and a dedication to customer satisfaction, Western Towing remains your trusted partner for all your towing and vehicle accessory needs.

We’re incredibly grateful for your ongoing support. As we embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to welcoming you at our Marsh Barton premises. Together, let’s make this transition a success and continue building a stronger, more vibrant Western Towing community.

Now Open – Newton Abbot Branch Relocation to JETTY MARSH ROAD

We are pleased to say that our Newton Abbot branch has now moved to new premises on Jetty Marsh Road.

It has taken more than a year to renovate the old coach yard into the smart new premises we have now. As you can from the pictures below an impressive transformation has been achieved

This is a great tribute to the work put in by Richard Saxton, who has overseen the whole project, worked many long and hard hours on site and had many a sleepless night during the process. We are all very grateful for the outstanding job he has done.

Likewise tribute must be paid to all the Western Towing team who work in the Newton Abbot branch, and who have endured extra responsibilities and work load during this time. Well done Mike and team.

Also thanks to the staff from the Exeter branch who assisted with the move and for all the help from family members and friends.

We apologise to all our customers for any inconvenience we might have caused both during the renovations and whilst we have been moving. We will now be able to serve your needs much better in our spacious new premises and look forward to seeing you in the future.

Newton Abbot Branch Relocation to JETTY MARSH RD

We have been at our Kingsteignton Branch premises for over 24 years and as demand has grown the need to find larger premises has become a necessity. We have spent many years searching for an ideal location, eventually Jim”s Snells Coach Yard in Jetty Marsh Road, became available. It required an awful lot of work to bring it up to the standard we required but we felt it worth it due to its size and easy to find location.

The new premises offer plenty of parking, display area for trailers, storage area for customer’s trailers and our hire fleet as well as a large showroom and workshop.

The approach to the property is very easy, just head for the roundabout near Newton Abbot Hospital take the next turning off after the Hospital turning and follow the road straight to us. No problem when towing a caravan or trailer either, it will be possible to turn around on the forecourt if necessary.

We shall be closing our old premises at Kingsteignton Trading Estate at 5.30pm on Friday 26th February and re-opening our new premises at Jetty Marsh Road on Monday 29th February 2016.

We look forward to serving all your towing needs from our new premises in the future.

New Mobile Responsive Website

We started our website in 1998 as an information website. Shortly after it evolved into a online shop for trailers and towbars spares. In 2007 we updated the website with overwhelming success. Many of our customers say it is the easiest website to use in our industry. We have carried on using this design for the last 8 years.

Our new website design will enable us to have more information for each individual product. We have also simplified the ordering system and added over 20 new products in the last few months with many more being added weekly. Keep checking in with us for updates.!!

You can now also review our website on the go as it’s now mobile responsive and can now be viewed on PCs, mobiles and tablets

New Automatic Adjusting Trailer Brakes

Western Towing are excited to launch the new Knott Avonride Automatic Adjustment System for auto-reverse brakes.

This system is unique in the market place and has so many benefits including:-

– Equal and consistent brake shoe wear.
– Consistent and smooth braking action every time.
– Trouble free reversing.
– No need to manually adjust brakes.
– Quicker inspection/servicing.

Available as a retro fit on the Knott 200×50 brake: easily and quickly installed.

Click Here to see product in our online shop

Western Towing are now an Appointed Brenderup Dealer!

Brenderup which are part to the Thule group have appointed Western Towing
as one of their main dealers.

Earlier this year we took stock of a large amount of small unbraked Brenderup Trailers including many spares and accessories. We now have other trailers from their range in stock including the 8 canoe/16 kayak trailer and some van trailers. We shall shortly be introducing a range of spares and accessories on our website which can be purchased online.

Brenderup started in 1952, over 1 million trailers have left the factory since. Thule Trailers A/S, the company behind Brenderup, is now Northern Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer. !

E&E Sport Award- Western Towing Nominated for Local Award

Western Towing are proud to announce they have been nominated in the Business Contribution to Sport Category in the Express and Echo Sports Awards 2011.

Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club is a water sports club based in Exeter, Devon. They are one of the most diverse sports clubs in Exeter, if not the whole of the South West. The club welcomes and encourages male and female paddlers of all ages, sizes and backgrounds.

The Express and Echo quote ” Western Towing developed and built a double boat trailer to allow the Exe-Calibre dragon boat club to compete all over the country and succeed in a dramatic fashion. The trailer was designed, and is serviced, for free. Without this, Exe-Calibre would not have been able to take two teams to represent the city all over the country. This allowed new paddlers to fall in love with the sport and the club feels that without this support it could not expand and allow new people to experience dragon boat racing.”

The Awards Ceremony is to be held on 19th January 2012 at Sandy Park, Exeter. We’ll let you know how we get on – we came second, beaten by SWComms who sponsor Exeter Chiefs.

Towball Painting – For the environment

We are pleased to report that the towing industry is doing their bit for the environment. Previously all Towballs were zinc plated, a process which is highly polluting. Now Towball manufacturers have changed this process to a black powder coating and so have improved their carbon footprint. However, did you know that this black powder coating paint finish must be removed before using the Towbar. The paint is chemical resistant so it’s down to sandpaper and sheer elbow grease, we’re afraid!

But don’t be fooled because not removing the paint will cause you even more work, as the paint can ruin friction pads on stabiliser heads. Also the paint can make the towball slightly larger so it might not fit in your coupling head.

Our full range of towballs, towball cover and bumper protector plates can be found on at: Towbar Spares & Accessories

The Awards Ceremony is to be held on 19th January 2012 at Sandy Park, Exeter. We’ll let you know how we get on – we came second, beaten by SWComms who sponsor Exeter Chiefs.

Trailer Type Approval

Are you aware that all trailers first used on the road from October 2012 must be type approved and comply with EU standards?

This shouldn’t cause too many problems for our customers, as most ‘off the shelf’ trailers such as the Erde, Daxara, Brian James and Indespension are already
type approved.

However, BE AWARE, if you are building your own trailer from scratch, once it’s finished, you must get it Type Approval tested before you can use it on the road to ensure its roadworthiness.

This new regulation follows the footsteps of the 1997 Towbar approval where all towbars had to meet EU and vehicle manufacturers’ specification.

It’s about time the same safety standards are being applied to trailers.

Trailer Type Approval

Are you aware that all trailers first used on the road from October 2012 must be type approved and comply with EU standards?

This shouldn’t cause too many problems for our customers, as most ‘off the shelf’ trailers such as the Erde, Daxara, Brian James and Indespension are already
type approved.

However, BE AWARE, if you are building your own trailer from scratch, once it’s finished, you must get it Type Approval tested before you can use it on the road to ensure its roadworthiness.

This new regulation follows the footsteps of the 1997 Towbar approval where all towbars had to meet EU and vehicle manufacturers’ specification.

It’s about time the same safety standards are being applied to trailers.

Trailer Width – Department of Transport New Legislation

The Department of Transport have announced an increase in width limit for light trailers. The new width limit is 2.55 metres (including mudguards), irrespective of the towing vehicle.

Formerly, there was a width limit of the 2.3 metres for light trailers towed behind most cars and 4×4’s*. This has been increased to 2.55 metres for light trailers (categories O1 and O2) up to 3500 kg gross weight is irrespective of the towing vehicle, be it car, 4×4 or qualifying commercial vehicle. This brings the UK into line with the rest of Europe. This means it’ll be much easier to move larger trailers around. If you do plan to get yourself a larger caravan or
boat trailer, check your vehicles maximum towing weight. This information is usually available in your vehicle handbook.

For more information click here to download a Department of Transport document.

*a vehicle with maximum authorised mass less than 3500 kg (meaning the maximum gross weight of the vehicle plus the trailer)