My preparations, so far, I have thought about it several times
, actually the vehicle is about there, need to check some items off for the camper, mainly stone guard mud flaps and some extra clearance for the guards, as the upgrade from 15" to 16" off road tyres has taken up most of what was available.
My only tip, Ive had a few 'Oh crap days, when getting a few jobs done just before you leave'
one time, oil change that day, snapped a vac hose off for the turbo, that sits next to the oil filter, car was fully laden and packed, had to cancel that weekend trip.
Got a wheel alignment done on a Fri 3pm, next business day Mon, then Xmas break, drove it out and down the road, car was all over the place, never felt anything so unsafe, took it back and they managed to right it with some other technicians who knew what they where doing (but did say I needed new camber bolts, which i couldn't get because it 2 days for parts from Melb, lucky enough the guys, got it back right with out needing the parts)
the Day before Xmas, check the air bags, found one was leaking and wouldn't hold pressure, a few phones calls and got the job done and finished by 5pm that night, no time to the job myself, had to pay the going rate - was leaving for 7 days Vic high country after boxing day, so had to get car fixed then.
So I'm planning to have all the jobs done 2 weeks prior this time around.
*****Open question, whats the chances for some wet, muddy conditions over the trip period ? more than likely, for sure, might be lucky, always rains this time of year