Had a '99 F-250 Powerstroke and recently purchased a 2019 F-250 6.2L. Bought and towed a 24-foot travel trailer for a few years with the '99. WD system similar to the Curt system that has spring bars/chains, along with a semi-useful anti-sway bar. Always worked fine for me. With the higher-sitting 2019 truck, looks like I'll need a WD hitch with a 5" drop. This based on web sites describing the measurements needed (top inside of receiver minus bottom of trailer tongue coupler). Recent searches on the internet have caused me to question how I've always hooked up the system. I'll be buying a new shank for the drop that I'll have to deal with. I'll use the same head assembly (ball attached to the thingamajig that'll be mounted on the new shank). So which, if either, is the correct way to go about this?
1) On level ground, jack the trailer until level. Back the truck up to the trailer tongue. Put the shank in the received. Attached the head assembly so that the ball is at the same height above ground as the trailer coupler. Attached the trailer to the ball. At this point, I'm assuming the back of the truck will sag a bit. Then attach the spring bars which will level (or somewhat level) the truck/trailer combo. Or,
2) Same as #1 above up to the point where the truck and trailer are hooked together and you set the back of the truck sagging. When the sagging is observed, move the head assembly up on the shank so that when you re-hook the trailer to the truck, everything is level. THEN you hook up the spring bars.
Long story short (sorry, already too long), do I use method #1 because the purpose of the spring bars is to bring things up to level and put more weight on the front axle of the truck and that's the way WD hitches are supposed to work? And if I used method #2, the spring bars don't really have much of an effect because you're putting them on an already level setup? Thanks.

 

Think I've found the answers I was looking for. No need to respond unless you want to add something. Thanks.
Couldn't find a way to delete my post...

 

I thought AK2NC was a ham radio call sign (2x2 from 2-land - A, N, K, and W are prefix letters for the US, AB8VE for example). Then I looked it up and it wasn't a valid call. So I am re-assuming it is an abbreviation for "Alaska to North Carolina".

 

Roger that. Out.

 

Best way to set up your WDH spring bars is to use the CAT scale and verify how much weight you have put back onto the steering axle. That's the most important thing, and the truck being level is a secondary thing.