FW trailers are not top notch it come to finishes.
I did not like many of hardware on my trailer as well so I have change much of hardware to SS comportment.
As far as rust goes FW is not only trailer will have issue on salt water…. I would not think about getting any painted/steel boat trailer to salt even with only one time use…. You would never be able to rinse it out good water will get tapped inside of tube and travel up to the front section where you thought it did not hit in salt.
I have a friend who lives in North Andover Mass who typically boat in NH lakes with his 2006 Cobalt 246 and steel/painted trailer. He had used his boat in ocean only 5 times but his trailer is rusting out after a few years……. I would get a galvanized or aluminum trailer if you want flexibility. The last 2 trailer I own has been steel/painted trailer but I am committed to use for fresh water only. The most of sport boaters only use in fresh water and they do not want to spend extra money for galvanized trailer. I feel it is the dealer’s issue since they did not ask you for intention of your boat and recommend to right product. When I order my current boat the dealer (Winnisquam Marine) did asked me where I am going to use my boat and recommend not get a painted trailer if I would use it in salt.
I would never compare boat/trailer industry to automobile industry since automobile industry produce 100 times more product than boat industry (FW produce less than 6000 boats a year) so they are not apple to apple for any manufacturing process.
Well let`s hope their quality would mach with the boat in future.
_________________
08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC