Camping is fabulous. We did the VDLP during winter and had an amazing time. We stayed in albergues a few times (to check them out) and they really are awful places. Camping gives total freedom and independence to do what you want, when you want to do it. Exercise discretion and I don't think you should encounter any problems. Also, don't worry about carrying extra weight as your body will adjust over time. I carried between 30% and 40% of my body weight for a whole 1000km without any problems. (I weigh 58.5 kg and carried minimum of 20kg, with a max of probably 25kg. At the end of journey, I weighed 56kg and had a sixpack to die for!!).
I hope this gives you a slightly different perspective from the norm!!
Its a wonderful adventure, and with the right attitude anything can be achieved. We had NO miserable days, just days that presented different opportunities.
Enjoy,
John.