Yes it would of been easier but so far I have spent $420 and have all the steel and coupler. I am sure a trade in would cost me a minimum of a grand probably more like 1500. I could of sold it on craigslist and would have to deal with the annoying people on craigslist then buy another one off craigslist. I can't be without the trailer for that long if I ended up selling it and still trying to find what I wanted for sale so that would not work.