Full review

A SLIGHT curve to the roofline distinguishes the E510 from other coachbuilts and drags it away from the square-box image.

The graphics are restrained, but again they contribute to breaking up the fridge-on-its-side shape. A quality Bessacarr badge, with an attractive scripted ‘B’ font, supplants the Fiat roundel from the middle of the radiator grille.

An optional lockable ladder and roof-rack were fitted to the test ‘van and these always give a motorhome a bit more gravitas.

Roof-racks are jolly useful bits of kit too, particularly on small ’vans , accommodating surfboards and other large toys. Meanwhile, a locker door provides access to under-seat storage on the nearside, beside a gas locker holding a pair of 7kg cylinders.

Ascending the rear nearside step brings you into the kitchen, which is built along the rear of the Bessy.

Into a compact shape of under 20 feet has been fitted a rear kitchen and washroom layout. Forward of the offside washroom is the wardrobe, with gas cupboard opposite.

Behind the swivelling cab seats are two settees of differing lengths; in other words it’s a classic caravan layout. This makes the Bessacarr a good choice for tuggers dipping their toe, for the first time, into the world of powered caravans.

With inward-facing settees there’s no provision for rear passengers, so the smallest Bessacarr is very much a two person ‘van.

There’s seating for seven once the cab seats have been swivelled, in what is a surprisingly good lounging area; especially considering the size of the vehicle. If you’re proffering coffee and cake there’s a handy splined, bent-leg swivel-arm table, which fits behind the driver’s seat; a useful convenience for you and your guests.

With a window either side, a large overcab rooflight and a Midi-Heki sunroof over the lounge, there is abundant natural light inside.

However, when the sun has dipped over the horizon, the nearside settee has but a single halogen spotlamp to light your reading matter. And, it’s positioned over the wrong end.

The Bessy has a proper British table. You know, the sort that doesn’t take up any room. It folds up its T-shaped legs, almost flat, allowing it to fit into its kennel between the fridge and the caravan door. Shut the door to its locker and you wouldn’t know it was there, while when the need arises it will happily become a humble picnic table for use outside.

The cook is well served by a full cooker with electric hotplate alongside three gas burners, a 104-litre fridge, a microwave and a good-sized round stainless-steel sink with plastic chopping board insert.

A microwave is positioned above the cooker, with open shelves (not really very useful, make sure they’re empty before driving) bridging across to a cupboard with tambour door.

The washroom is divided into three. In the far corner is the swivel toilet with a large locker above incorporating a fluorescent light.

Two washbags won’t even begin to fill this capacious space. Next is the shower which is betwixt the other two parts. In the third sector of the washroom the reasonably sized basin has a two-door cupboard under, with space for creams, potions and spare loo rolls.

In some motorhomes, the two inward-facing settees pull out easily and that’s it. But in the little Bessy you have to pull-up-and-out to enable the drop-down leg supports to be brought into play. Before you do that, it’s advisable to collect the bedding from its obvious storage place beneath the settee bases.

A full version of this review first appeared in the February 2008 issue of Which Motorcaravan magazine. To order a road test reprint call 01778 391187. Find out more about the magazine by clicking here.