Insite for First Time Class C Buyer / RVer

ChuckHM wrote:
My wife and I are recently retired, in our early 60's, and generally in good health. We want to travel throughout the US and Canada in probably month or less chunks. We won't be sitting in any particular camp ground for an extended period, except to be out site seeing during the day. Probably rent a car to go into city, or crowed areas. We have grown children and grandchildren who might take a weekend or week trip with us, but don't know if we should make this a major factor in the decision.

We have been researching RVs for the last month, have a good local dealer, and have decided on a Class C, and we think we know what our preference is on layout.

The one thing we are not sure of is how big to go the first time, having no experience driving something this big. If this wasn't a consideration, we would go with the Forester 3051. However, my wife thinks this is too large (driving, not living). The other end would be a 24 ft., either on the Mercedes diesel, of a Ford.

So here are my questions:

• Go smaller to start, and if the whole concept is a winner, and the kids want to join in, trade up, or just start with the 32 footer get used to driving it relatively quick???
• 
  If we go small, should we spend extra for the Mercedes? I already know that the gas mileage difference would take over 80,000 miles of driving to make up for the difference, which probably would never happen. What other factors should be considered in this decision?

Thanks for any wisdom you all can provide.

P.S. My wife is adamant she would never drive a Class A. Is this novice thinking? What are key reasons for going Class C vs. A, leaving aside any cost differences?