And the RV just showed up on Friday after snafus with the show's organizers kept them outside the gates for the first two days.
But they were finally assigned a space Friday, and we're glad they are here. Their Barclay Travel Home is the most unique RV we've seen, so unique that we have immediately named it our Best In Show winner.
It's 35 feet long, loaded with super high-end finishes, advanced plumbing, heating and power systems, and every deluxe appliance system you could ask for. The decor includes shiplap walls, floating shelves, luxury custom kitchen refrigeration, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and an amazing articulating “robotic TV” that raises, lowers, and turns around.
There's a loft bedroom, rooftop sun deck, and true four-season compatibility, complete with a wood-burning stove and built-in pizza oven.
For us, visiting this unique travel home was a follow-up story. We met Robert and Julia Barclay almost five years ago, when their idea to combine true home design and amenities with an RV was just taking shape, we had them on the podcast back then as they explained their design ideas.
Now, after hitting the road and living fulltime in it, they're hauled it across America and are now showing it at the Florida RV Supershow as the centerpiece of a new company that will custom-build these travel homes for those who also want a similar lifestyle.
We spent much of the morning with them, shooting an extended-length video and tour that we will have in a new podcast episode in a couple of weeks.
But we also did a livestream for our RV Lifestyle Community, which shows some of the features. Click below to see:
“The thing about this is when you're done traveling, you can put in anywhere, and you have a home,” said Robert Barclay as we toured the home. “We absolutely love this, and as we travel, it has gathered lots of attention. Often, when we are in a campground, the park managers want to put it upfront because once people see it, they bring their friends for a look.”
The most striking thing about the home is the panoramic deck made out of composite decking for easy maintenance. When being towed, the decking can be put away in special storage boxes under the frame. When set up, they turn into a spacious patio area that opens to a bar and serving area right off the kitchen.
A bifold window door entertainment wall folds in on itself and is out of the way off to the side. It has screens that keep the open look in the summer but keep bugs out. In colder temperatures, triple-paned Anderson Window door panels unfold to keep the cold out but still provide panoramic views.
The unit's roof is covered by a huge 1,800-watt array of solar panels that charge 21.5 KW of lithium batteries.
“We spend most of our time off-grid,” said Juia. “Usually, days at a time. And we've never run out of power.”
Between the solar panels is a rooftop sundeck perfectly sized for two chairs.
“We do a lot of Harvest Hosts sites at vineyards,” said Robert. “We love the view up there. It's also great for stargazing.”
The Barclays are taking orders and beginning the design process with their first customers, hoping to bring in more buyers at the show. The units start at about $350,000, which is comparable to many Class A motorhomes. Build time is about six to nine months.
After Tampa, the Barclays will haul it to Colorado, where they'll live in it as they enjoy their favorite outdoor activity – skiing. Robert is a ski instructor.
At the Tampa show, they are located at the far northwest end of the Fairgrounds, right next to the Tiffin Motorhome display.
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