[A/S] restoration

[peter@xxxxxxxxxxx]

This is really a letter for the VAC list.  I assume that it is still nonfunctioal.  If not, please give me an address, otherwise.......

We are in the process of restoring a 1960 Safari that was purchased about a month and a half ago.  Here are a number of issues that are up in the air. Help with any of the following would be appreciated. 
1. Tires and wheels - both old, both in good shape, but we plan to do some cross country so they get replaced.  One dealer said they had Titan tires.  Are they good?  Are all basic wheels essentially the same, or should I be looking for something in particular?  Don't mind spending some more for a safe ride.  (also plan to replace the elec. brakes and shocks.)  Should I consider larger wheels?  This is a single axle wt. 2850.
2.  Battery - we would like to be in the desert (no campground) for maybe 1 week at a time.  Should I get more than one battery?  How big?  What about solar cells.  A local rv dealer has something for $100 but that doesn't sound like enough for serious usage.  Where do people usually mount them on an airstream?  Where does the battery(s) go?  Right now it is near the water pressure pump under the right front dinette seat.  Someone told me it shouldn't be in the  trailer itself because of hydrogen gas.. but then somebody else (neighbors, not airstreamers) said well, you can't put in front of the lp tanks!  So what is correct?  And speaking of gas tanks, I want to carry 2 - 30# tanks.  Do they fit on the standard 20# double platforms?  Where do you purchase chromed or aluminum tanks, or are the regular tanks just sent to a chrome shop?
3. Vent riser thingies - remember, 1960.  They are at the two fan vents. two out of four are missing. available anywhere?  the others are broken off of their support grommets.  How do you regrommet them - looks impossible to me. Or should I just get some super vents instead.  But then again I do want to try to maintain the original stuff - within reason.
4.  Tub refinishing - looks like a previous owner used the tub to play horseshoes in or something.  One half dollar sized hole and a bunch of gouges.  A guy is coming out tommorow to give me an estimate on refinishing but would just as soon do it myself.  Any products anyone has had good luck with?  Matching the color is pretty important.  Is it normal to have one section of the tub be low and hold some water?  The floor appears to be solid.  
5.  Dixie stove and oven - has anyone tried to retrofit these to include current safety triple shut offs?  If so, who do I buy the shutoffs from?  A friend can do the work.  
6.  the water works.  we replaced some of the plumbing that had been butchered (like from the kitchen sink on back!)  and everything is in working order, pressure tested.  My question concerns total water volume and disposal.  I sent for and read the VAC newsletter backissue concerning black and grey water but found it to be not much help.  Right now the toilet is a portapotty, but we intend to replace it.  The 15 gal. black/grey water tank is in place as is the 15 gal. front tank.  
        If I carry say a 50 gal fresh water tank in my pickup, would I have to run a separate pump there and connect/disconnect the hose every time the 15 gal tank goes dry or is there a more automatic way.  What about a larger tank under the seats or somewhere?  What do people use or is this strictly custom metalwork to fit?  And what on earth do I do with the black and grey water both coming out of that same fitting when at a regular campground.  I know about those 33 gal tote water tanks with wheels, but it sounds like a pain.  
7. The bed - 47"wide in the back, 46&1/2" wide in the front.  Were they all made like this?  What do I tell the mattress manufacturer.  46&1/2, or less to allow for overlap and the ridge?

Thanks for reading my long letter if you have gotten this far.  Any help, including telling me where to look for discussion of the specific issues is greatly appreciated.  We live in Galway, NY, in the foothills of the Adirondacks.  Plan to go to the vintage rally at Harpers Ferry for a shakedown cruise.  Then its out to Colorado, N. Mexico and Arizona in probably feb, march.  Peter Dobo