The OP is bit ahead in the process
Need or suggest to understand the 'goal' of it all...including weights vs ratings
Decide if you believe in the ratings or not
If not, then do whatever but note that over the ratings may have warranty denied...if
they find out
If yes, then go out and weigh the whole setup. Axle by Axle both fully loaded
and empty
Read up on the HOW2's and understand them
The OP is adjusting without knowing where they are in reference to their ratings
and unknown to us is the orientation of the setup
I like to have the trailer level at it's highest pointing and preference to
have it pointing slightly down
Moving the shank/head without knowing the orientation is useless
Tilting the head is a ditto and note that tilting the head is to gain more
WD spring bar (either round or trunnion) distance to increase their preload
Tilting it back towards the trailer is the right way. Tilting it forward removes
WD spring bar preload potential
The height of the shank/head is determined by the final orientation of the
trailer and the TV
The front end height as instructed by the manual is out of context without
knowing the weights, the spring bar ratings, etc
OP, please post these ratings and actual weights: front GAWR/GWR, rear GAWR/GWR,
GVWR and the actual weight of the trailer. The trailer dry weight is not helpful,
but it does provide a range of the tongue weight vs the actual weight
-Ben
Picture of my rig1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...