The problem with a camper is that everywhere I go I have to take the camper...and most are not suitable for the off-road stuff I do. With a caravan I can unhook and do the rough stuff. (The base camp scenario you point out.)
People do it with campers though, it's not my style, but people do.
Besides, a camper is not what I need for all the other things I do so I'd then need a truck and a camper and...well, I think you get the idea.