This is the best time to check your trailer to make sure its ready to go

When your trailer or horsebox needs someone who really knows their stuff, look no further than Collaton Trailers. 

Don Bashford started Collaton Services Ltd, trading as Collaton Trailers, after taking early retirement from his job in deep water engineering, focussing on hydraulics and mechanics, so he really does know his stuff! 

Don said: “My trailer business has been running for five years and is very bespoke, we concentrate on attention to detail and service rather than selling parts.”

Collaton Trailers 

Don served his time as a Marine Engineer, moving into the Deepwater drilling business and focusing on Mechanical and hydraulic operations on Rig Offshore systems and eventually taking over the role as Senior Sub Sea Engineer. 

He then went on to be a Rig Manager for four years, finishing up teaching the teams at Transocean how to save lost revenue in deepwater engineering, due to people not following procedures. He said: “You would never climb aboard a flight if you were told the pilots do not follow procedures.

“I started by servicing a few trailers to supplement the pension”, Don explained, “and it just grew from there. Now I work on boat trailers, horse trailers, farm stock trailers and all kinds of plant trailers, tippers and everything in between.”

Collaton Trailers 

Now is a great time to get your boat trailer serviced and ensure it is up to scratch. If you have left it over winter, it is always a good idea to get it serviced and make sure that sitting for a long period of time hasn’t affected it.

“People park their trailers up over the winter”, Don explained, “then the weather gets better, and they go and get it, hitch it up to take the boat, horse trailer or plant trailer somewhere and on the way they discover something isn’t quite right with either the trailer itself or the tyres. Then an axle will part, or a bearing will fail.

“It's always best to have someone like us check it over before you end up stuck on the side of the road somewhere. Bring your trailer, whether it’s a horse, leisure, plant or boat, in for a free check to see if it needs any work before you enjoy your summer.”

Collaton Trailers

Services include inspection of towing systems, brakes, hubs, bearings, chassis, axles, back plates, lighting systems and tyres.

Collaton Trailers also undertakes panel replacement on older horse box trailers, structural assessment and replacement with new structural components and welding, steam cleaning and rewiring and fitting LED systems. They do a lot of Equi Trek ramps and have a better system than the original on the older trailers.

Because Collaton Trailers is a small business, they are much more personal and connected with their customers. Don insists his clients know what is being done with their trailers, the work that is being carried out, and making sure there are no hidden costs or surprises along the way. 

They have set service costs covering single axle un-braked through to full braked systems with two or more axles. Extra labour and costs are incurred for replacement of any parts and fitting. We work with a company based in Exeter that produces aluminium unbraked and braked Euro Axles and they are made in the UK and are of top quality at competitive pricing.

“People are even welcome to come along and see the work that we're doing on their trailers”, Don said.

Collaton Trailers

Don’s expert background in engineering makes him an excellent problem solver and he goes above and beyond for his customers, providing a collection service for broken down trailers and searching for deals on parts and ensuring that he can get the best possible price for people. 

Collaton Trailers can provide servicing for horseboxes and boat trailers - which can be brought in with boats on. They are also covered for boat delivery (within a reasonable distance) and often work with all local Marinas in the area and boat and trailer storage companies.

Don also occasionally has trailers, mainly boat trailers, for sale, that he has reconditioned with local parts - working closely with another of our fantastic members - Martin Pears Engineering. 

Collaton Trailers is a member of the National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) and is fully insured. 

To contact Don and Collaton Trailers, check out their website through their SouthHams.com listing HERE or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 01803 712298 or 07484 871592.