Well I guess this kind of qualifies as a project, DIY, or Known Issue, so I’ll throw in my 2 cents worth. Have a fire, kick back, and enjoy.
But, I prefer not to be attached to the van. Normally I want to leave camp to explore during most any weather. So I would rather head out. What I do want is a dry place to return to where I can cook and also warm up in some way. I've used those pop up shelter over the past years but they take up a lot of space, are heavy, and usually take 2 people to set up. I now have a screen tent that is weather proof but is also somewhat heavy and is messy if I have to break camp in wet weather. This is the best for comfort that I've found by using a propane fire inside. But I have always been able to set up a reasonable lean to with a cheap heavy duty plastic tarp and flat nylon rope.
The lean-to is not too messy to put away in wet weather and provides good shelter especially if you add nylon side panels. In this situation I set up the lean-to high over a wood fire. Sometimes I rig off my trailer, a table, or rock, but usually I use trees.
I carry a Pit-2-go (as seen here without the lean-to) when a fire place is not to be found but you’ve got to gather wood.
It works good for 2 or 3 people but you're still exposed to the elements somewhat. This is more of a place for drinking beer around a fire and having a fine cigar, not playing Fish with the kids. It does have the advantage of being very lightweight, compact, fairly quick to deploy and cost about 30 bucks.
Actually the propane fire has been great when used in the screen shelter. It's dry, warm, has plenty of space, and allows me to come and go as I please. No need to haul wood and there is no worry about embers burning a hole in an expensive set up. The drawback is if you don't like the smell of a propane fire and you can't roast hot dogs, jiffy pop, or marshmallow's over the fire
Kids and adults love some kind of fire...right?