A bit of a registration dilema...

[72FJ40]

You are not doing anything to defraud anyone. If you went to a local welding shop and had the metal part replaced, what would they do? They would remove the tag and place it on the new part. Swap the tag and be finished with it. I did not know HF used a tag that was removable. The vin number on most trailers (four of mine) is stamped into one of the front braces; another has no vin as it was registered as a home made back in the '70's.

I like the idea of adding the center tube. Let it go back to first cross member; but the hitch does not need to extend more than a foot in front of the angled braces.

[jandmz]

Here in Ohio, "utility trailers" such as the HF trailer can be registered using the MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin) that comes with the trailer. Here, I would take the MSO down to the Registrar , and walk out with a new tag and registration that matches the VIN on the new trailer. Then, I'd just let the old registration expire. But, I hear things are very different in The People's Republik of Kalifornia.

[nrody]

I replaced the original tongue on my trailer which had attached the stick on tag from Cal. DMV. I carefully detached the tag from the 4 inch galvanized fence pole that was the old tongue and attached it to the new tongue that is stronger and more stable for the trailer.
I merely replaced a small part of the trailer. That reminds me. I have to find my registration papers

[jeffmutch]

I ended up adding the steel tubing through the center as suggested. It added an unbeleivable amount of rigidity to the frame! Love it! (I had wondered about the folding frame being less stable from the beginning) So now I've realized that the old aluminum plate with the original VIN number is at my folk's house in Salt Lake City where I switched the tongue... And since I dont plan on making the trip out there over this... I believe I will stop worrying so much and leave it alone for now. I have the paperwork for both trailers in the glovebox. (what an inappropriate name by the way...) and will plea my case if anything ever does come up before I can retreive the old plate. You are right about California being RIDICULOUSLY overregulated! It cost me over 300 bucks a year to keep my truck registered... and unfortunately it doesnt seem to be changing anytime soon. Thanks for all the help everyone!

[Reddiver]

Oh please just change the tag. You dont want to have any more contact with the DMV then you have to.. I put my tongue on upside down so the vin was on the wrong side. I wasnt sure it that makes a difference ,but I drilled it out and pop riveted it on the correct sign nobody ever said anything.

[rowerwet]

You are right about California being RIDICULOUSLY overregulated! It cost me over 300 bucks a year to keep my truck registered... and unfortunately it doesnt seem to be changing anytime soon. Thanks for all the help everyone!

ouch! I thought it was expensive to move to the reddest state in the country (MA) CA is still ahead of us there...