Welcome aboard, lots of helpful people and useful info here, especially if you look at some of the older threads and do searches.
AFIK the mechanicals are the same, the differences between the models are trim and equipment (and there are substantial differences in price too). If you want to get specific details you need to pore over the brochures from a VW dealer (and even then they "reserve the right to change specs without notice").
My van has side curtain air bags (an extra cost option), but I don't know whether they cover the head area or not. I believe ESP is now available on all models (it wasn't available on the bare van when I bought mine).
If you want to do heavy duty towing and dirt work I don't think I would recommend a T5 (not even with 4motion). Compared with the Landcruisers I had before I bought the T5 ( a 75 series then an 80 series) the T5 doesn't have the separate chassis and heavy duty suspension and drive components of a "serious" 4WD, nor does it have good ground clearance and underbody protection.
I'm not saying that a T5 can't tow heavy loads, just that isn't their real forte (and watch out for quite small tow ball weights with some tow bars too).
I rate the T5 as optimised for made road driving, and adding 4motion gives it "light" dirt capability (but at the cost of extra $$$, weight and fuel consumption). I do love my (2WD) T5 as a highway cruising campervan extraordinaire 
Sorry if this dampens your enthusiasm, but it is much better to be aware of this stuff before you hand over any money and start signing contracts.
I know that some T5 owners will disagree with me on some of the above points, and they are also entitled to their opinions 
2017 MY18 Golf R 7.5 Wolfsburg wagon (boring white) delivered 21 Sep 2017, 2008 Octavia vRS wagon 2.0 TFSI 6M (bright yellow), 2006 T5 Transporter van 2.5 TDI 6M (gone but not forgotten).
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Originally Posted by farmer
Camden GTI Performance. VW / AUDI Specialists
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