Well the trip is over and Im back. I could easily spend the next 6 months or longer on the road. Happy to report that the new alternator solved the problem and that the truck gave me no further issues.
The trip was brilliant. I did spend some down time on the coast. It was great to roll out of the rooftent straight into the sea for a swim before breakfast. It meant that I had to replan the route and not do everything in the road book, but thats fine. Croatia and Bosnia were amazing with long dirt tracks in mountains and forest. Serbia I felt at the time less so partly because there were a lot of tarmac miles, however Ive since looked at the photos and there were some great places there as well. Definitely recommend the Balkans.
I carried the all usual full kit of recovery gear - so apart from the winch I had the hi lift jack, ex mil ground anchor (which weighs a ton), various straps and chains, waffle boards etc. As it turned out, I didnt need any recovery equipment (slightly disappointed) - not even the bottle opener as the beer I bought was in cans! Actually Ive just remebered .... I used the waffle boards and a rock to level out the truck in the campsite by the sea.
I'll write up a report but will need a little time as I am already back on tbe road, now for work.