Cutting + Coupling Top Rail: How small?

[atxBurnerDude]

Hi folks,

I'm building a 10x10x7 carport out of 1 3/8" 16 gauge top rail fence tubing.

I'm trying to cut down the tube lengths - so they'll pack + travel more easily - and couple them, on the playa.

(Specifically, I'll use this car port coupler from YSBW: https://www.ysbw.com/Canopy-Fitting-1-3 ... p/2460.htm).

My question is... how small could I safely cut them down?

Ideally, I'd want to aim for 2 different lengths:
- 5' (for the 10'x10' legs)
- 3.5' (for the 7.5' legs)

I feel OK about coupling 5' lengths, but I'm wondering if coupling 3.5' lengths would pose any hazard? Could that be too small and fragile?

Thoughts?

[Popeye]

I don't think there is any problem cutting to 3.5'. Those couplings are built thick material, it is the length of the coupling where they overlap the cross piece that is important not the length of the cross piece.

[motskyroonmatick]

I think it will work fine. I couple 1" EMT with top rail and the connection is stronger than the coupled material. We do tape one side of the connector so if there is a bunch of uplift it is unlikely the connector will come uncoupled. We learned to do that after one securing bolt was not tightened and the other one came loose. Your proposed coupler has a center ridge which will help it be even more secure than the couplings we use. I say go for it.