Although I love 'em I'm not sure I'd recommend a Eurovan (or a Vanagon - my favorite) for someone with 10k, much dogs and who knows how much interest in being their own mechanic. I'd drive my tin-top Subaru-powered Vannie across the country – after fixing the power steering pump – but I'd also bring my tools **just in case**. The newest Vanagon is 23 years old and most of them have been flogged by cheap-*** VW owners for most of their lives.
So I'd say, for VWs, go that way if you're heart is in it but go in with eyes wide open (a good idea for anything with a few decades of service under its belt).