A roof top tent trailer summer setup can make or break your holiday season escape. December in South Africa means heat, dust, long daylight hours, and that energetic “let’s go somewhere” feeling that hits as soon as schools close. With the Trek Horizon ready behind you, the right layout and smart storage strategy can transform your summer trip from chaotic packing sessions into a smooth, breezy adventure where everything flows.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, the bush, the berg, or somewhere in between, here’s how to use your Horizon to stay cool, organised, and summer-ready — inside and out.
Dial In Your Roof Top Tent for Summer Conditions
A proper roof top tent trailer summer setup starts with airflow. With warm nights and early sunrises, ventilation becomes the single most important comfort factor.
To maximise airflow:
Keep the tent windows zipped open with mesh panels engaged.
Position your trailer so the tent faces the prevailing breeze.
Add a small USB fan inside for extra airflow during peak heat.
Use reflective sun shields on the sunny side of the tent during the day.
The Horizon’s elevated sleeping position naturally keeps you cooler than ground tents — airflow circulates underneath, and you avoid the heat radiating from the earth.
Master Smart Summer Storage Inside the Trailer
Summer adventures call for more than just clothes and chairs — there’s swim gear, hydration gear, cooler bags, shade setups, recovery snacks, sports gear and the small-but-important items you don’t want melting in the sun.
Here’s how to keep your Horizon cool, organised, and efficient:
1. Don’t store heat-sensitive items at the top.
Keep sunscreen, snacks, and first-aid gear in shaded compartments or low inside the trailer.
2. Use quick-access zones for wet and sandy items.
The pull-out sections of the Horizon allow you to dedicate one area to beach toys, wet clothes, and shoes without mixing with clean gear.
3. Keep water central and stable.
Hydration is everything in summer. A mid-compartment storage point prevents sloshing and keeps water from heating up too quickly.
4. Create a “first minute of arrival” box.
Pack this with:
Tent pegs
Two mallets
Shade cloth
Awning ropes
Sun hats
Sunscreen
This makes setting up your campsite quicker and cooler.
When your roof top tent trailer summer setup works smartly inside, the entire trip becomes easier outside.
Beat the Heat With Shade and Layout Planning
Summer shade equals comfort.
Your awning becomes your greatest ally.
For the best holiday layout:
Position your trailer so your awning casts afternoon shade (west-facing).
Add sidewalls or a mesh panel on the sun-heavy side.
Use a groundsheet to prevent heat radiating upward.
Place cooler boxes and cooking gear under your shade zone.
This creates a cooler “living area” where you can cook, relax, and escape the midday sun.
Bonus tip: bring a lightweight 12V misting fan — game changer.
Dust-Proof Your Gear (A Summer Must)
Whether you’re headed to coastal dunes, farm roads, or the Cederberg, summer = dust.
The Trek Horizon helps keep your gear clean, but a few tweaks make it even better:
Use soft storage cubes inside the compartments.
Wrap electronics in microfiber cloths.
Use silicone-sealed boxes for small items.
Keep cleaning wipes at the hatch for quick dust management.
Your roof top tent trailer summer setup becomes both durable and dust-smart — which means less cleaning and more adventuring.
Pack for Spontaneity: Summer Is Full of Surprises
Summer trips often involve unexpected swims, sudden detours, afternoon naps, or a last-minute plan change.
Pack for flexibility:
Quick-dry towels within arm’s reach
Extra shade cloth
Lightweight chairs
A “grab box” with swimsuits and flip-flops
Snacks accessible for quick stops
A dedicated “sunset kit” (blanket, speaker, snacks)
Your trailer becomes not just storage, but a mobile mood enhancer — always ready for the moment.
A roof top tent trailer summer setup isn’t just about gear — it’s about the feeling of freedom that comes when everything works effortlessly. With the Trek Horizon, thoughtful packing, airflow planning, dust control, and layout strategy turn your summer holiday into something smoother, cooler, and far more enjoyable.
Whether you’re spending December on the coast, in the mountains, or deep in the bush, the Horizon adapts to the season beautifully. Trek Lifestyle creates trailers built for real South African summers — where heat, dust, long days, and spontaneous adventures come standard.
Pack smart. Set up smarter. And let your Horizon carry the rest.