I've had my Spike for a while. When I got it, it was fully assembled. I also got the N380 hub, so I didn't need to do anything with a derailleur. Mine came with no hardcopy instructions either, but all I had to do was attach the hub control cables per the internet instructions. I second-guessed myself and took it to a local bike shop anyway to be sure I had done it correctly since I had no previous knowledge of planetary hubs and mine did not end up looking like the picture. It only cost a few bucks to have them check and reassure me. I think you are right about having a professional assemble a new trike. Though Trident was very helpful when I called them, if I get a Titan for my husband, I will buy it assembled from a shop and save the hassle of assembly, instead of buying directly from Trident. I bet you will forget all your troubles when you finally get out there on those fun machines.
P.S. You might need to add links to your chain if you extend the boom out to the maximum length. It looks like it by the position of the derailleur, but I am strictly an amateur...
The left right pedal thing is common knowledge with bikes. About the only trident specific item was the terrible water bottle holder placement. I recommend ditching the stock holder as well, it's pretty low quality. I have a titan, an e spike and a delta.
I bought my trike 100% assembled, and found out a month or so later there were things not done right. The first was that the screws holding the front wheels were not tightened at all, and were gradually unscrewing.
