I have an 18,000. It works fine but I have "tuned" it a little. Ive shimmed the plastic/composite blocks along with the head side play. Also replaced the roller and fiber bushing with a sealed ball bearing. You dont need to do these mods, I just wanted to try to get as much slop out of it as possible.
I have been in ugly spots a few times when I needed to get out of others way quickly and was able to do it without worrying. 3500 sb cc with an older 8.5 wide flat front FW. 
The worse that I have happen is being off center when hitching up. It will try to turn the head and not engage. It's not the hitches fault, it's mine. I cant see the hitch because my generator box is in the way so I may make an indicator pointer or something to guide me better.