I'm going to buy (or factory order) a new trailer for my old 20' o/b
in the next few days and I'm being told by not one but TWO local
manufacturers some things that don't sound right to me.
First, they don't build anything but "float on" trailers anymore due
to liability risk and other bogus sounding excuses. Ok, so I'll go
with the modern day flow and buy a float on.
Second, nobody worries about supporting transoms with the frame of the
trailer anymore. They see no problem with hanging a transom and its
400 lb o/b way back past the rear trailer cross brace, supported only
by the extended wooden bunks (the ends of which aren't supported by
anything but air ... looks like the makings of a hook in the hull to
me. Did I mention I tend to keep my boats longer than most guys keep
wives?)
Third, the axles are all bolted directly to the frame these days and
can't be adjusted forward or backward without drilling new holes in
the frame. Weight distribution is accomplished by moving the boat fore
and aft which can mean the transom may end up even further back than
the ends of the bunks (see #2 for my humble opinion on that).

Like I said, I don't have much choice so I'll go with what's available
and make do, and btw, I'm seeing more and more new boats in the
showrooms on trailers like this. But does the new way of
designing/building trailers sound like a step backwards to anybody
besides me? Or am I being shot with B/S by BOTH manufacturers?

Rick