More perhaps than any other vehicle, the Terrier was the model that really established Wellhouse as a campervan converter. Launched in 2013, a couple of months after Ford unveiled the new-look Transit Custom, it took that year’s NEC show by storm.

But that was almost a decade ago, and more recently, other major brands have moved into campervans, often on Transit-based models.

Enter the Misano, the name for what was the Terrier, named after the Italian resort where Wellhouse founder David Elliott has enjoyed holidays – and you can find out more about this conversion in Gentleman Jack’s guide to the Wellhouse Leisure conversions of the Ford Transit Custom.

Standard Ford cab
Standard Ford cab, but you also get a reversing camera

Its new 4.1 model, packed with extra spec as standard, is already NCC approved, with all vehicles registered from inception as a motorcaravan, which makes life easier when it comes to tax. It’s clearly designed to take on those new entrants – and win. The best campervan will always offer a great touring base, so does the new Misano do the business?

My test model certainly looked the part, in blue metallic paint with alloy wheels and colour-coded bumpers (all standard). Standard external features include a barbecue point, a 150W solar panel and an external shower heated by the ’van’s Webasto diesel heater.

The cab is standard Ford, with cup holders in the corners, although as standard, you also get a reversing camera included in the 8in display screen, with Bluetooth and DAB radio, and a leather gear knob. The latter is fitted whether you go for the manual, or as in my model, the optional automatic gearbox.

The heated seats swivel easily around. If you are just pausing for a snack, the pedestal table swings out in front of the passenger seat – although I did find this tricky to adjust. Failing that, a much larger tabletop rests behind the three-person rear seat.

Swivelling seats
The heated seats swivel around easily, and the pedestal table swings out in front of the passenger seat

The table sits on a tripod leg that you can store in the drawer under the seat. I would have preferred a slot in the floor for the leg, although that would disrupt the carpet. With five on board, you will probably need both tables.

A central light in the cab and spots running along both sides of the ’van keep this area light in the evening. There are also two sets of mains, 12V and USB ports – one by the kitchen,
the other under the passenger seat, so with the small table, you could also use this area as office space.

The kitchen includes a sink and a two-burner gas hob. Their darkened glass covers slightly shade the light from the window when folded up.

Overhead lockers in kitchen
You get two overhead lockers in the kitchen, but they’re not very big

Fortunately, the spotlights mean you can still see what you are doing on the workspace to the right, where the sockets are. The Vitrifrigo drawer fridge underneath the sink is a new lower-energy model.

Control panel and sockets
Control panel and sockets are handily located by the kitchen

The rock’n’roll bed is easy to slide forward. The Misano can come with a high-top roof, but my test model had a raising-roof with a roof bed.

Accessed via a ladder, stored with the tabletop behind the rear bench, the bed comes with its own slats.

Bed in Misano
Sleeping up to four, Misano offers a roof bed and a rock’n’roll bed

There is no washroom as such, but there is a cupboard in the middle of the kitchen that would be perfect for a Porta Potti (check out our guide to the best portable toilets for a campervan if you’re looking for one), so long as you don’t mind a toilet so close to the kitchen.

Kitchen storage is pretty good for a campervan. Wellhouse has managed to squeeze a small shelf between the toilet cupboard and the fridge, and just above, two large lockers separated by a drawer. They have even included two overhead lockers here, ideal for any campervan gadgets you’re taking on tour with you.

For general storage, the rear bench slides forward to provide space for heavy items while you’re on the road. Even with the bench rolled back, the drawer below holds much more than just the tripod. There are two cupboards with tambour doors on the offside.

Rear view of van
Rear bench rolls forward to store heavy items en route

Unusually, there is no storage at all on the nearside, but that has probably been sacrificed to allow you to have three seats in the back.

Practical Motorhome Says…

The Misano is a really worthy effort, offering a superb amount of spec in a format that is easy to understand and which clearly separates this vehicle from some of the competition. However, I would have liked to see a tripod-free table, and perhaps the option of fitting an oven or a microwave.

Technical spec of the Wellhouse Misano 4.1

  • Price: £64,500
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 5
  • Base vehicle: Ford Transit Custom
  • Engine: 130PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel
  • Length/width/height: 4.97/1.98/2.07m (16’3”/6’5”/6’8”)
  • MTPLM: 3200kg
  • MiRO: 2600kg
  • Payload: 600kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 40/40 litres
  • Leisure battery: 100Ah lithium
  • Gas: 6kg Gaslow

Or you could try…

  • S&L Apollo: this is a well-planned two-berth, with plenty of attention to detail.
  • Pilote V633M: if the height doesn’t put you off, this is a ‘van with a very practical layout.
  • Swift Carrera 122: we really liked the innovative touches on display in this two-berth.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.