Wow that's a lot of questions but I guess that's what a forum is for! Sorry, can't comment on the 400 but...
We've got the Carrera 600 - the Tigris 600 but in polycotton. Only had 5 nights in it so far but really liked it.
With the front bedroom in place, you have a choice of 2 side doors - one with a canopy and a bug screen, the other with a door that either rolls up or can be used as a porch with the king poles.
No, the front bedroom doesn't cover the windows so you can still see out of the windows / benefit from the ventilation with the front bedroom in place.
The Carrera has alloy poles but we found it pretty easy to erect - watch the DVD and it all makes sense. Taking it down was pretty easy and painless, too - always a bonus! Don't have kids but would have thought that average 8 and 10 year olds would be more than enough help for one adult to put this up.
Main (rear) bedroom divider is a flappy bit that can be rolled and tied up out of the way, as we did or left in place. We had a similar sounding airbed but felt it was a bit big for the space. We had the dogs bed at the bottom (had the airbed going across the tent rather than up and down with it - hope that makes sense!!) and, whilst there was space, I couldn't guarantee you'd get a camp bed in, too.
We've just bought some self-inflating mats rather than using the big airbed - more because it seems to have a slow puncture than any other reason but we are looking forward to the feeling of more space in the bedroom - proper "dressing area".
We used the front bedroom for storage but, even with some stuff - table, cupboard and CADAC for when it wasn't in use outside, there was still plenty of space. There's just OH and I with 2 dogs - an active Jack Russell Terrier and a less active and mostly deaf lab collie - it's amazing how much space he can take up and he never hears you when you try to move him but we didn't feel he got in the way.
The layout of the Tigris 600 works for us but I wouldn't want to use it as a six-berth. I would have thought, though that two kids and an adult or two should be just fine. You could always get one of the canopies or extensions if you feel you need more living space?
Good luck with your choice - I know it took us ages to settle on the Carrera but I'm glad we didn't just buy the first tent we thought we liked.
Post last edited on 06/07/2009 21:58:17
------------- Best Wishes and Happy Travels,
Feecamp
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