Our journey building the Barclay RV brand

Our journey started five years ago and now being able to be in a position to offer an alternative RV option based on that experience is something we feel very passionate about.

We were in a large home and with kids grown and out of the house, we wanted to travel and explore the country. Living in NJ at the time, we actually wanted to find a new place to live and we thought RVing could be an excellent choice. There are so many different RVs out there, but nothing spoke to us. We like to entertain, we wanted to be able to stay off grid, and we did not want to go without some of our favorite amenities. Even the largest ones with slides felt enclosed and we wanted to bring the outside in, feel part of the outdoors. We also were not sure how long we would travel and the thought of buying something we would then have to sell when done traveling was kind of counter intuitive to us.

The other aspect of design that really intrigued us was the Tiny House movement. The innovation, use of space, and home-like design elements were features we could see ourselves enjoying. However, tiny houses were generally not built for the road, and we wanted to travel. A lot.

After exhausting all the options, we decided to design and build one specifically for us. All of our ideas, wants, needs, and must haves were considered. We did not want to use an RV as a base, but rather build a home that we would take on the road. It would need to withstand very high winds as we drove down the highway, as well as protect the interior and all the electronics as we traveled across America.

We spent about a year and a half from design to the final product. See this video from our very first open house in our backyard in NJ. It has been an incredible journey. The result was what you see today in numerous videos and posts, and it has been our home for over 5 years and close to 70,000 miles. It does not look like anything else on the road, and while we first set out to find a place for a new home, we soon realized that we had already found it in our Travel Home.

During the first few years, we traveled a lot with many stops. 100 stops within one year. We were constantly moving.

We have now settled down and spend several months in the winter landscape near Deer Valley, UT. In Heber City, UT, we stay at a very comfortable upscale RV Resort, The Mountain Valley RV Resort. They have an adult section and our spot is just across from the gym and hot tub. The decision to design and build for all seasons allowed us to make that happen.

You may have also seen our recent blog post where we purchased land in western NY, in the Finger Lakes region. Here, we will place several RV pads and enjoy lakeside living for the summer months. This means that we will travel during the shoulder seasons, spring and fall.

As we traveled across the country over the last few years, we were often asked if we could build more of these Travel Homes. Because we were simply enjoying our travels, we politely said no. However, the RV market boomed during this time, and it became evident that the majority of the market lacked quality and innovation. So, we started to explore options. We spoke to several industry players, many of our original suppliers, and came to the conclusion that there was a niche market we could provide an answer to. So the Custom Travel Home as a business took shape and we finally launched in January of 2024 as Barclay RV at the Tampa RV Super Show, where we were awarded best in show.

So, what differentiates the Barclay RV brand? What do we stand for?

• 100% custom design and build: We start with what you have or what you want to pull with or we can help you design your ultimate tow-vehicle. The design process is collaborative and you decide how involved you want to be.

• Residential versus RV: This is an RV and it is built to travel, however, we use high end, high performance residential building materials and principles. As an example, our structure contains 2x4 steel framing, residential double and triple pane windows, extruded aluminum siding, and a standing seam metal roof. Our builds are meant to support your travels on the road and continue to provide you a comfortable residence for many years thereafter.

• Non-traditional features: Window Door Bifold Entertainment wall, stowaway decks, roof top access, wood stove, full heat recovery air circulation system, as just a starting list. We love to hear your ideas.

• Uncompromised Life on the Road™: Design in your wants, needs and must haves.

We don't build in large quantities, but rather make sure we design for a quality and build with pride. We don't compromise on quality to save a buck. Having tested our own design for 5 years and 70,000 miles, we know using high quality materials pays off.

We would love the opportunity to build your haven! It would be our privilege to design something that reflects you, your passions and lifestyles, and that allows you to live your best life.