The reason I ask is that you cannot operate the front stabilizers independently. Any advice would be appreciated.
What do you mean cannot operate independently?
Do you mean you can't operate independently from left to right or independent of the rear jacks?
If left to right, not an issue.
If you have the front jacks down and then decide to use the rear jacks to just lift one side, the front jack on that side should also extend as you lift.
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As to hitching up or not.
If you are already hitched to the truck the easiest and fastest tire change will be to drop the jacks on the affected side, stay connected to the truck. It will probably take longer to get your spare down and ready.
If you are on uneven ground (side to side) I would suggest using jacks on both sides to lift evenly. Unleveled side to side may cause an excessive angle message where the jacks stop operating. You then need to deploy the jacks on the opposite side to bring the angle back into a workable level.
Might also help to use some blocks under the jacks before yo even start.