MYCO Trailers is set to mark 50 years of manufacturing marine trailers.
As MYCO Trailers approaches its 50th anniversary in 2024, the manufacturer shows no signs of deceleration.
From creating tilt trailers for the recreational segment to serving military special forces, the Bradenton, Florida, firm remains at the forefront of transporting high-value boats on the road.
Denis McComb has been appointed as MYCO Trailers’ vice president of sales and marketing to guide the company into its next 50 years. He joins a seasoned team with over 125 years of collective experience at firms like Sea Ray, Malibu, and Garmin.
“I believe the construction quality is a key factor that draws military special forces to us,” said McComb.
Racing Legacy
MYCO began manufacturing trailers in 1974 and quickly entered the offshore racing and professional fishing arenas. In retrospect, this was a pivotal decision made by the late founder Tim Moran. As these sports expanded, so did MYCO Trailers.
While the company still creates trailers for contemporary top offshore teams, it once worked with huge stars like Alcone Motorsports, Don Q; Special Edition, Popeyes, Jesse James, Gentry Eagle; Little Caesars Pizza; and actor Don Johnson‘s Team USA.
MYCO Trailers has earned a reputation for its tilt trailers, which can cost over $125,000.
MYCO pioneered tilt trailers when the CUV and Tencara catamarans entered offshore racing in the 1990s. As offshore racing declined and poker runs surged, MYCO adapted by designing trailers for increasingly larger and faster poker run boats.
The trailers also became more intricate, with owners requesting extravagant features and custom colors.
Engineered for Durability
According to McComb, MYCO Trailers stands apart due to its engineering team and their readiness to tackle complex projects. He highlights a trailer being developed for the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C., designed for a unique aluminum catamaran.
“They approached us because of our military background, and we are collaborating with them on a custom trailer design,” he stated.
MYCO Trailer’s craftsmanship is recognized as top-tier in the industry.
The company boasts thousands of hull designs in its system. If they have not yet built a trailer for a specific model, MYCO can obtain CAD drawings from boatbuilders or execute three-dimensional scans using laser technology to create unique 3D CAD representations of the hull.
The main objective is to ensure weight distribution on the trailer. Changes like replacing engines or adding a Seakeeper can disrupt this delicate balance. MYCO aims for the trailer’s tongue weight to align with the gross vehicle weight rating.
“Any additional weight on a boat impacts how the trailer handles, and MYCO integrates this into every design for optimal towing experience,” emphasized McComb.
Military Projects
MYCO has implemented lessons learned from military work into its recreational products. McComb noted that the team has gained essential insights into weight management, particularly for trailers hauling over 30,000 pounds.
“The considerations for transporting such heavy items involve dimensions, weight, tongue weight, and numerous design variables,” McComb explained. “Our military experience has sharpened our understanding of these transport challenges.”
MYCO Trailers manufactures rigs for both military and recreational users.
While torsion axles are commonly used, MYCO has adapted by incorporating non-torsion axles with leaf springs for added weight capacity.
“This enables us to build larger trailers for our steel and aluminum clients without altering our operational dynamics,” McComb added, “we learned through military designs how to support the weight of a 50-foot trailer with a three-axle system rather than needing four or five axles as others do.”
During the pandemic, MYCO had its hands full with military contracts and produced fewer recreational trailers than anticipated. The company’s 38 personnel focused on trailers meant for submarines and transport boats, including several designed to carry loads of up to 80,000 pounds or transport by air.
“One of the contracts was markedly large, and by that, I mean physically large, which consumed nearly 70 percent of our production capacity,” McComb elaborated. “This large product caused production delays since its size restricted the workspace for other projects.”
Looking Ahead
MYCO aims to manufacture 250 to 300 recreational trailers in 2024, ramping up production as several major military projects are completed.
McComb stated that approximately 70 percent of MYCO’s production consists of aluminum trailers, with the remainder made of steel, including tilt models.
Customers can expect lower prices for new trailers as MYCO has upgraded the standard features offered. Each trailer will now include electric-over-hydraulic brakes, a spare tire, and a spare hub. Additionally, the base model will come equipped with an LED lighting system featuring LED turn signals and reverse lights.
Many of MYCO’s trailers feature at least two axles.
In constructing its trailers, MYCO selects only high-quality materials. The company employs PPG Delfleet One paint, favored by major fleet operations, and well-regarded tire brands like Firestone, Goodyear, and Continental. MYCO is one of the few manufacturers that utilize a groundless DC wiring setup, which minimizes short-circuit risks and prevents corrosion issues.
McComb asserted that while they are adapting to customer needs, they are not compromising on quality.
MYCO intends to produce 250 to 300 trailers annually for the recreational sector.
“My goal is to provide our customers with an excellent foundational product by including key features that were previously optional into the standard pricing, all at a more competitive price. It’s beneficial for all parties,” McComb stated. “This sets clear expectations for the customers, giving them confidence that they can safely tow their boat with a base model.”
MYCO plans on establishing a service center and dealership network across the U.S., starting with prime boating locations and gradually expanding.
Endurance
Since his appointment in July as vice president of sales and marketing, McComb has been active, attending events such as the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and participating regularly in high-performance boating events at Lake Havasu in Arizona.
McComb aims not only to familiarize himself with key players in the high-performance sector but also to remind them of MYCO’s long-standing presence in the marine industry.
“MYCO stands for integrity and excellence,” McComb said. “That principle will remain unchanged.”
CONTACT: MYCO Trailers, www.mycotrailers.com
