So I appreciate your response on this question and situation based on how it has been described herein.
I don't think you are looking at all the issues. With the possible exception of Airstream trailers, I see no RV as an investment. Most will bring around 50 percent of the new cost after about five years. If you have never had a truck camper spending the extra money might be something to reconsider. After all, you may not like truck campers and why invest heavily in one until you know you will like it. I also look at life cycle costing; yea, the Lance costs more but it might bring more as a percent of it's original price in resale than the Palamino. You will have less invested in the Palamino but that does not mean it will cost you less in the long run. Also dealer support and warranty for both would be major considerations if I was in your shoes. If you absolutely know you will love truck campers, get the Lance. If you are not sure about truck campers (you were originally on the hunt for a motorhome?) get the Palamino. If it was me, I would go with Lance.
There is no ideal RV for most folks and most always seem to want something else. As it relates to truck campers I would look at Lance, Arctic Fox, Host, Chalet, Northern Lite (no slide) if I was looking for my
be all do all RV that I intend to keep for years and years. I have had three truck campers and they have great value in maneuverability and in some states no registration. But, space inside is costly on a square foot per dollar measure compared to other RV's and some folks get tired of taking then on and off the truck. A fifth wheel or travel trailer is so much easier to hitch/unhitch. A TC is great if you tow behind it something like a boat, horses, or quads. If not towing anything why not consider a TT or FW as for the same money you get twice the interior square foot living space and don't need nearly as stout a truck. If you like to go to the lake and stay a week, the TT or FW is probably better; if you like to keep moving on each day or so the TC is probably better. If you like off roading get the TC. So many things to consider beside cost comparison between two TC's. You were looking at a MH, now a TC, why not also consider another (bigger?) TT or FW before you narrow it down to two units and start cost comparisons? You had/have a TT so you can compare RV types from that experience. A 2500 truck, while more than adequate for a TT, will not carry a very heavy truck camper, another cost consideration as you move into the TC market.
Quite frankly, I think you are only looking at the money and trying to justify the difference. I would look at all the issues; perhaps more important, including how you might carry stuff that could be carried in the bed of a truck, the ease or not of trailer/fifth wheel hitching/not hitching vs camper loading/unloading, the need for a very stout truck, extra suspension stuff, the camper floor height above the ground, etc. I carried a 4000 pound truck camper on a Dodge 3500 dually and had to add air bags, and more suspension stuff to carry it 'just right'. You almost cannot have too much truck for the heavier campers. Whatever you purchase try to get 25 percent off MSRP or more. Good luck.
