When you’re looking for a motorhome that balances comfort, practicality and quality, the 2012 Bessacarr E450 deserves your serious consideration. This four-berth low-profile motorhome offers a well-thought-out layout that’s particularly suited to couples who occasionally travel with guests, or those who simply appreciate extra living space.
E450 Size and 3.5-Tonne Benefits
You’ll immediately notice the E450’s well-proportioned dimensions. At 7.12 metres long, 2.24 metres wide and 2.9 metres high, it’s substantial enough to provide comfortable living space without becoming unwieldy on the road or difficult to find pitches for. The low-profile design (without an overcab bed) helps with fuel economy and makes the vehicle less susceptible to crosswinds.
When considering payload, you’ll have 363kg to work with from the factory, though this decreases as optional extras are added. With a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes, the E450 can be driven on a standard driving licence, which is an important practical consideration for many buyers.
Water capacity is well-suited to weekend trips and short breaks, with a 90-litre fresh water tank and a 68-litre waste water tank. For longer tours, you’ll need to plan your water usage and emptying points, but this is typical for motorhomes in this class.
Fiat Ducato Driving Experience
Behind the wheel, you’ll benefit from the Fiat Ducato’s 2.3-litre JTD engine, which delivers a capable 130 horsepower through a smooth six-speed manual gearbox. The power output provides sufficient performance for comfortable motorway cruising and tackling hills with confidence.
The driving experience is enhanced by a comprehensive set of features including electric windows, electric mirrors, cruise control, and cab air conditioning. You’ll also appreciate the safety features including driver and passenger airbags. The cab is well-designed with good visibility, and the addition of a reversing camera makes manoeuvring this 7-metre vehicle considerably easier in tight spaces.
Cab blinds provide privacy when parked up, while the alarm system offers peace of mind when you’re away from your vehicle. The Bluetooth phone preparation allows for hands-free calls, keeping you connected safely while on the move.
Twin Bench Lounge Configuration
When you step inside the E450, you’ll find a practical and welcoming lounge area consisting of two long bench seats that face each other. This traditional layout creates a sociable space that’s perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests. One bench is slightly longer than the other to allow easier access through the doorway.
For dining and relaxation, the space works well for four adults. When evening comes, these benches convert into a spacious double bed using slide-out supports and infill cushions. The transformation is straightforward, making the lounge a genuinely usable second sleeping area.
Storage is abundant throughout the living space, with overhead lockers surrounding the lounge and a particularly large storage compartment above the cab area, a practical use of the space that would otherwise house an overcab bed in luton models. You’ll also find useful features like a magazine pocket, waste bin, and coat hanging area with a mirror near the entrance.
The heating system includes a Truma water and space heater with convenient controls in the lounge area, supplemented by a Trumatic fireplace that provides effective heating during colder months.
French Bed Plus Convertible Double
The main sleeping area features a permanent French double bed in the rear of the motorhome. This arrangement offers the convenience of a fixed bed that’s always ready to use without nightly setup, while still maintaining reasonable space efficiency.
Above the bed, you’ll find additional storage lockers, while beneath it is a substantial storage area accessible both from inside the motorhome and via an external locker door. The bed base operates on gas struts for easy access to this storage space.
A partitioning curtain allows you to separate the bedroom and bathroom from the living area, creating privacy for changing or when different members of your party have different sleeping schedules.
Well-Equipped Kitchen for Four
You’ll find the kitchen area well-equipped for preparing meals on your travels. The facilities include a four-burner hob, a sink with mixer tap, and a combination oven and grill. The 112-litre Thetford fridge provides ample cooling capacity for fresh food and drinks, which is particularly important on longer trips or in warmer weather.
Storage in the kitchen includes two dedicated cupboards and a cutlery drawer, with additional overhead lockers for storing plates, glasses and food items. The inclusion of a Sanyo microwave adds convenience for quick meals and reheating.
The kitchen layout is compact but functional, with enough workspace for meal preparation if you plan and organise your cooking process. You’ll find it perfectly adequate for preparing meals for the four people the motorhome can accommodate.
Spacious Corner Bathroom Layout
In the rear corner of the motorhome, you’ll discover a surprisingly spacious bathroom. The layout includes a corner toilet, sink with storage and mirror, and a separate shower area. The design makes good use of the available space, providing enough room to use the facilities without feeling cramped.
The bathroom’s position at the rear of the vehicle, adjacent to the bedroom, creates a practical night-time zone that can be separated from the living area. This thoughtful layout enhances privacy and minimises disturbance for sleeping occupants.
Truma Heating and Power Systems
The E450 comes with all the essential systems you need for comfortable touring. The electrical system includes a control panel conveniently located above the door, allowing easy monitoring and control of your power usage.
For heating and hot water, the Truma system provides efficient performance using gas or electric power depending on your situation. The additional Trumatic fireplace offers a boost of warmth during colder periods, making the E450 suitable for year-round use.
The gas locker accommodates two 7kg bottles, providing sufficient capacity for extended trips, particularly important if you’re planning to tour in areas where gas refills might be less readily available.
Abundant Storage Throughout
Storage is a particular strength of the E450, with thoughtfully designed spaces throughout the vehicle. You’ll find overhead lockers surrounding the lounge and bedroom areas, under-seat storage in the lounge, a large overcab locker, and the substantial space under the fixed bed.
The under-bed storage area is particularly useful, with both internal and external access. This makes it ideal for storing larger items like outdoor furniture, sports equipment or awnings that you don’t need to access from inside the motorhome.
Wardrobe space is provided for hanging clothes, while the various cupboards and drawers throughout the vehicle offer organised storage for all your touring essentials.
Who Should Choose The E450?
The Bessacarr E450 is particularly well-suited to couples who want the flexibility of occasionally accommodating guests. The fixed rear bed provides comfortable permanent sleeping quarters, while the convertible lounge offers a genuine second double bed when needed.
For touring, the 3.5-tonne weight limit means it can be driven on a standard driving licence, making it accessible to most drivers. The comprehensive specification, including features like cruise control and air conditioning, makes it comfortable for longer journeys.
Weekend breaks and longer holidays are equally viable in the E450, though for extended off-grid camping you might find the water tank capacities somewhat limiting. For typical touring with regular campsite stops, however, the facilities are more than adequate.
Comparable French Bed Alternatives
If you’re researching the Bessacarr E450, you might also want to consider these alternatives:
Swift Sundance models (for example, Swift Sundance 580 PR or Swift Sundance 630L) from the same period offer similar layouts but sometimes at slightly lower price points.
Auto-Trail models with French bed layouts provide comparable facilities with different styling approaches. Find out more about Auto-Trail models on our blog here.
Elddis Autoquest or Compass Avantgarde (for example, Compass Avantgarde 115 or Compass Avantgarde 130) motorhomes offer more budget-friendly alternatives with similar layouts but fewer luxury features.
Is This 2012 Bessacarr Worth Buying?
The 2012 Bessacarr E450 represents a well-balanced package for discerning motorhome buyers. You’ll appreciate its practical layout, comprehensive specification, and quality construction that has stood the test of time.
For couples seeking a comfortable tourer with occasional capacity for guests, the E450 makes particular sense. The well-equipped kitchen and spacious bathroom enhance the living experience, making longer trips a pleasure.
When considering a pre-owned example, pay particular attention to service history, especially regarding the Fiat base vehicle and habitation checks. A well-maintained E450 should continue to provide reliable service and retain its value well, making it a sensible investment for your touring adventures.
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