That is almost humorous, that you feel that suspension is "crappy" and you probably haven't even loaded up for a big trip yet?

If you get the corners of the car a bouncing up and down, with your body weight and then watch the last up stroke come back down, it should stop, like right now and not return upward.
Especially on the rear end because it's not loaded with any weight yet.
The weight is harder to control. It's like the tail will be wagging the dog!

The rear trailing arm bushings are part of the the front end alignment.
If they are crumbling with cracks or look rusty from the casings being beat out ... "getter done."
You will probably need those before any front end bushings, if these are OEM components.
Same goes for rear shocks as the OEM front struts and components are more robust.

Are you using the tires that came on the car? How old are they? No sidewall cracking or chafing allowed on loaded rear tires.
Drawing the line at seven years is the industry recommendation.
Around town with short hauls you can go longer but then I believe in throwing in the towel at ten years! Especially when you get the first flat from some silly road debris or not!

Do or did the old tires exhibit any strange wear patterns on the tires. The front shocks must do their primary job of keeping the tires round without divot patterns from hopping.

Bad shocks hop, bad tires squirm! The carcasses belts fatigue with flexing and aging!
Hmmm, I think, I know something about those! (:-( less hop and more drag anymore...(:-)

If the old tires showed irregular "edge wears" and you are putting on better or new tires, then you want to follow your instincts and correct any alignment problem before you set a wear pattern into any newer tires.
Remember to correct the rear end issues first and keep the rear end from "floating" before going up front with your wallet!
It's the more economical and practical way of finding out what you really need, for your needs!

Did he show you some details on how he arrived at his conclusion for the front end work?

You might want to share his observations, the cars mileage and condition with us more. You might get some better and more wise hints from those that who have done this kind of refurbishing for a trip before.

I imagine this to turn into a truly loaded camping expedition, in the big outdoors of Canada!

Ever thought about overload springs! (:-) I have them on my '86.

I Pack!

Phil