[VAC] Hitch set up

[Aecal@xxxxxxx]

Hello Airstreamers,
 As I get set up to pull my '71 Tradewind for the first time I have some 
questions about my hitch set up. My truck is a 3/4 ton Dodge 4X4 that has the 
top of the hitch receiver opening at 23 3/4" high. I got the Reese weight 
distributing and anti sway stuff. I got the adjustable draw bar with the 
longer drop and the lowest setting puts the ball still 1 1/2" higher than the 
19 1/2" specified by the Airstream manual. I'm wondering how critical these 
dimensions are. It seems to me that since they show passenger cars pulling 
the trailers back then that 19 1/2 to the top of the ball might have been 
taking into account the effect of the tongue weight on the car springs to be 
then leveled with the weight distributing set up. My whole situation seems to 
indicate to me that I'm at the opposite end of the effective range of the 
weight distribution possibilities. Since I have no experience with any of 
this I wonder if there are any factors I am not taking into account. I have 
not really checked it out on a level spot yet. Keeping the driveway plowed is 
more of a priority right now. I did drop the trailer onto the ball and the 
truck came down a couple of inches. There is some stuff stored in the 
trailer, possibly simulating a loaded for travel situation. If the trailer 
and truck are basically level does it matter if I'm at the bottom end, so to 
speak, of the weight distribution set up or is that 1 1/2" difference going 
to lever my front wheels up? I'm just hoping this set up will be close enough 
without having another drop bar fabricated. Anyway, I think you get the 
picture. I'm sure I'm not the first to deal with this.
Best Regards,
Erik Murray