this question comes up sometimes, I would suggest trying a trip on your own partly to see if you like bike touring, plus then you can go at your own pace and not feel like you have to follow the pace or mood of someone else.
As for the idea of sharing equipment, I'd recommend not, this way you have your own setup if you ever ride with someone else and decide for whatever reason to be on your own, just makes things simpler.

Its not easy finding someone to bike tour with, try it on your own and see how it goes, plus then you will have a better idea of what works and doesnt for you (distances, places to eat, how much to spend on food, lodgings, whatever)