Don't be so tight you screw yourself over; Lord knows I've done that to myself more than once.I just have to draw an x between my dreams and my budget.
A Walker county buddy bought a single axle enclosed trailer in McLennan county this February and "saved" a bunch of money. Looks great and professionally made but, no Mfg., S/N, or VIN plates affixed.
He tries to register/title it and the red flags start flying! Walker Co. Sheriff (maybe DPS, not sure) does their check and it is finally approved. Back to the tax office he goes and since there are no Mfg., S/N, or VIN plates the paperwork now must go to the Beaumont Regional DPS office where it was denied due to . . . crap, now I don't recall the details but, hopefully you get my point.