Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
The most common wood for smoking here is Kiawe pronounced key-ah-ve. After doing some research it is from the mesquite family of trees. I've used it on my patio smoker with good results. Other than that all other traditional woods would have to be shipped.
I have never personally cooked on one this size so I can't say how it performed but if it is built right I don't see why it wouldn't. The ones that I have seen were traditional offsets but it'll work as a RF as well. I'm not sure the exact diameter of your tank but I will say that for me I find anything with a grate that's over 30'' deep gets a little hard to reach over without bumping into it. I know that some builders have doors on both sides of there large smokers so that's always an option.
I believe I would insulate the FB and try to get the most out of the wood since it could become expensive feeding that rascal cooking enough for a business.
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........