Then wouldn't people just keep bluesuits in their party?
Wouldn't Cars still ignore the OD penalty?
I prefer it if there were more missions that gave out middle class gear like caravans, but they could be started more often.
And last longer on the world map so that its more likely you'd encounter them. But they'd have to give out enough payment to cover the losses or players would just not use them.
The reason why there aren't that many out in the wastes is because they get killed. Either have a system to provide benefits that outweigh the risk of death, or expect nothing to change long term. IMO granting EXP when using caravans would be nice, maybe joining a caravan would give you a free suit of armor something a newbie would want, and a decent enough gun. Doesn't have to be combat armor. Metal would make em use the caravans more. And if they survive they'll keep playing and running more caravans.