We have had 3 5th wheels, first 2 were mid kitchens, this one is rear kitchen. My wife fell in love with the floor plan when we looked at it because of the rear kitchen, extra cabinets, extra counter space and no travel corridor through her area! We are on the 5th year with this rig, spend between 5 and 6 months in it each year and pull at least 10,000 miles each year. We have never broken a thing. I did have a silverware drawer come open but it was because the latch broke. That is it, I don't think we will ever have it any other way!
Good luck on your decision, but I would not believe all the stories! We were warned of that stuff too!
One last thing, we do have shocks on both axles.