Organize your truck bed so that the items you need first are readily available.

It's warming up, and many people are starting to plan summer road trips.

Now is a great time for you to get your truck and gear in tip-top shape before you hit the road.

Whether going to the lake for a weekend of fishing and relaxation or camping in the great outdoors, you need to have the right gear.

While there are many experts who can help you determine what gear to buy, it's determining how to get all of those items to your destination safely and efficiently that can be the real test.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when packing up your truck for your summer trips.

• Get organized and save space by compartmentalizing your gear into containers. You'll be able to find items within seconds of opening the tailgate and unpacking will be much quicker once you reach your destination. Mark Sedenquist, publisher of RoadTripAmerica.com, suggests a combination of clear plastic containers, duffel bags, soft backpacks and cardboard boxes for organizing your gear.

It's also a good idea to place items you'll need right away toward the back of the truck bed.

For example, pack a cooler with your lunch or your tent and sleeping bags last, since they will be some of the first items you'll want to unpack and set up.

• Protect items from the elements and prying eyes. One way to protect your gear is with a roll-up truck bed cover. These roll-up covers can be easy to install and will give you 100 percent bed usage for hauling your gear. You simply roll up the cover to gain access to items in your truck bed.

A truck bed cover can also provide you with immediate gas mileage improvement, which may come in quite handy as gas prices tend to increase during the summer.

A truck bed cover will help you save at the pump by reducing drag and making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds.

Some truck owners can see as much as a 10 percent increase in their fuel economy.