The market for transverse-bed low-profiles measuring no more than 6m is a crowded one. But that hasn’t stopped Benimar from including the Tessoro 840 in its Ford Transit-based range for 2025.

Small motorhomes will obviously lead to compromises on the outside, so while it is good to see the access to the toilet cassette on the offside, away from any potential awning, the hook-up point is on the nearside and quite close to the door, so the cable could potentially interfere with any awning.

Such design choices do allow for a generous garage at the back, however, accessible via two large doors.

My test model was based on the new Ford Transit and had automatic transmission, a £2500 option. In the new Transit, this is controlled via a dial in the centre of the dashboard.

The cabin area
Handbrake on outer edge provides clear access to lounge

Having the handbrake on the outer edge of the driving seat means there’s a clear gangway to the lounge and the two travel seats on the rear bench.

That gangway is made even clearer thanks to the clip-on table having an extension that can slide back.

The lounge in the Benimar Tessoro 840

When fully extended, the table comes within easy reach of both the swivelled cab seats and the small side seat. The TV bracket is in the panel above the travel seat, so if you have one of the best TVs for a motorhome, it can only be viewed by people in the two swivelled cab seats and the side seat. But then, this is a three-berth.

The swivelled cab seats in the Tessoro
Fully extended, the table is within easy reach of the swivelled cab seats and the small side seat in the lounge

A bright lounge can be an important factor when choosing a motorhome. Here, I found plenty of daylight could get in through a large opening sunroof and sizeable windows, including one set into the habitation door. At night, there is good ambient lighting, one large LED over the travel seat and a spotlight next to each of the cab seats. You press the spotlights to turn them on, although they are fitted quite high up.

The kitchen in the Benimar Tessoro 840

I thought the kitchen was rather unusual for a low-profile motorhome, in that the fridge is at the end of the unit. This makes it an easy stretch to get a beer if you are sitting outside, especially as the door is two-way opening. At 70 litres, it is probably big enough for the food of three.

The 70-litre fridge at the end of the kitchen unit
The 70-litre fridge is located at the end of the kitchen unit

Rather than folding out, the worktop extension clips on above the fridge. But you don’t really need it, because the permanent work surface is pretty good on its own, mainly thanks to the two-burner gas-only hob and round sink being positioned slightly back.

Mains and 12V sockets are located near here, too. A couple of LEDs light up the hob and the sink very well, and you even get an extractor fan. But you only have a combined oven and grill.

The washroom in the Benimar Tessoro 840

The only snag that I came across in the washroom was that the bottom rail for the tambour door has a junction at the corner, which it was all too easy for the door to get stuck in when you opened or closed it.

The washroom in the Tessoro with the partition in place and out
The partition can be swung out to reveal the shower, which has two drains and plenty of storage

Otherwise, this is an impressive room, with a partition that swings to reveal a shower. In the main washroom, you get a large basin, a big, angled mirror and an oval toilet. The shower has two drain holes and plenty of storage.

Sleeping in the Benimar Tessoro 840

If you’re after a motorhome for couples, the bed will be an important factor. Here, you access the transverse bed via pull-out steps. I thought the bed was comfortable, with two spotlights and two handy shelves. There is an Omnivent here – unusual, I thought, because it is back from the kitchen and there’s a roof vent in the washroom.

The bed in the Tessoro
Above the comfortable bed are two spotlights and handy little shelves

The large third bed can be made up by lowering the table and adding two padded panels (stowed away in the garage at the back when not in use).

Storage options in the 840

The main storage is the generous rear garage. What looks like internal access to it is a cupboard under the bed, with a hanging rail and shelves. This is a bit of a stoop to reach, but I reckon this is probably more useful than a hatch to the garage.

You also get two narrow overhead lockers above the bed, another shallow wardrobe with a rail and a shelf behind the side seat in the lounge, and a large overhead locker on the opposite side. Kitchen storage is good for a motorhome of this size, giving you good storage space for kitting out your motorhome – you get three overhead lockers, a cupboard with a shelf, a pan locker, and a drawer with a cutlery tray. There are also deep shelves in the washroom.

After choosing the right ‘van, you’ll be all set for planning some memorable trips! One thing that can make a big difference to your overall enjoyment will be achieving a flat pitch – take a look at my guide to how to level a motorhome for advice on doing this.

Alternatives to consider

The Pilote P720U Expression was our pick of the couples’ motorhomes at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2025 – we were impressed by the excellent washroom and superb storage options it provides, although it is another metre longer. If you have your heart set on a small ‘van, how about opting for a campervan instead? One option is the Panama P57, which comes with an excellent washroom and solid fixtures and fittings.

Technical specification

  • Price: £78,495
  • Sleeps: 3
  • Belts: 4
  • Base vehicle: Ford Transit
  • Engine: 2.0-litre, 165bhp turbodiesel
  • Length/width/height: 5.99/2.14/2.76m (19’7”/7’0”/9’1”)
  • MTPLM: 3500kg
  • MiRO 2785kg
  • Payload: 715kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 100/105 litres
  • Leisure battery: 100Ah
  • Gas: 1 x 6kg
  • Web: marquisleisure.co.uk

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