With mesquite, you use less wood. It goes better with beef than pork. The apple wood, would have to dry, but don't make them into chips keep them as chunks.
You may have overcooked them. I just finished my beef ribs. I pulled them after 4:45, with the last hour putting a glaze on them. If you didn't overcook, then they may have just been just a bad cut.
I like Billy Bones' rubs. His beefmaster is great for Brisket while his original is great on all pork. I add some XXX Cherry rub to everything with the other rubs
http://www.billybonesbbq.com/
As long as the internal temp did not fall under 140, it should be fine. I sometimes warm up the oven, and turn it off then use it like some use a cooler to allow the meat to rest.
Best tip I ever received is to keep a smoking journal. Document times, temps, rubs and results. It always helps to be able to refer back to what you have done.
I usually use an alfredo sauce for mine. But since you are doing a chicken bacon ranch, why not just use some ranch dressing and mix some parmesan cheese in.