Using Schedule 40 Galvanized Pipe as frame for carport. Good idea or bad?

[ImmDanny]

After looking at plenty of pre-made "temporary" carport kits, I'm leaning to just going about it myself. It'll be more expensive, but I feel it'll be sturdier and allow me to get my exact dimensions i need/want to utilize. Instead of the typical 10' by 20' I can do 11'-10" by 21' which perfectly fits the side of my house.

So I went to home depot to brain storm, and came across the schedule 40 galvanized iron pipes. Seems like a good fit because they thread together, i can get all the fittings I'll need to make it work, and it's readily available. My only concern is, is that material okay for such a structure? I'll only have a tarp over it, and with a roof pitch of 45 degrees nothing should sit on top. I'm also in Arizona so i don't have to worry about snow potentially sitting on top nor do i have to worry about tornado's/hurricanes.

I was thinking of using 1" pipe, again it seems sturdy enough, and anything bigger i feel will be overkill. I was thinking maybe to use 1-1/4" for the legs, then reduce down to 1" for the upper structure. But even then I'm not sure how much of a difference there would be.

So what are your thoughts? Bad idea? I've asked around on some subreddits and some people suggested structural metal tubing. Which sure I'd be down for but i don't know how to weld, the material seems to be substantially more expensive, and i'd have to custom make all fittings for any sort of angles etc. I also liked the threads because it allows me to take it apart and bring it with me when/if i move. In my head i'm thinking "they sell those $200 kits with super thin aluminum tubing, why wouldn't a thicker walled tubing work?". But then again i don't know everything. Maybe there are some plumbers on here that will tell me how bad of an idea this is.

 

[The Cobbler]

have you costed this project out? that may be a deciding factor for you. sounds pricey

 

[rieferman]

I agree that might be pricey. I wonder if chainlink fence parts might work well? Meant to be outside, fittings are available, meant to be pretty tough. Just an idea

 

[ImmDanny]

have you costed this project out? that may be a deciding factor for you. sounds pricey

Yeah i have actually. For all materials I'd need (pipe in various lengths, fittings, concrete anchor bolts, tarp) It comes to around $800. I can save about $70 by getting the pipe at wholesale suppliers, but they only have them in 21' length, so then i have to haul them around to places to get them cut and re-threaded, my current design already utilizes the 10' lengths home depot has, so I think i'll spend the extra $70 for ease.

The only thing that i can see failing is the tarp. Right now i'm getting a "heavy duty" tarp on amazon for about 90 bucks. I have found actual tarp/vinyl/canvas suppliers that make quality shades but those cost $500+. I figure for now I'll stick with the "cheap" tarp, see how it goes, and later on when it starts wearing out I'll order an exact dimension tarp from this supplier.

 

[ImmDanny]

I agree that might be pricey. I wonder if chainlink fence parts might work well? Meant to be outside, fittings are available, meant to be pretty tough. Just an idea

I'll looking into the chainlink stuff. The more i research this the more interesting products i find. For example there is a website "simplified building" that basically is all about creating things with different sorts of tubing. They have hundreds of different unique fittings that are designed for building with pipe rather than plumbing. Unfortunately I don't need any of their products, everything i need can be found as normal plumbing fittings.

 

[ImmDanny]

Here is a link to a little sketchup i did of what the design i have in my head: https://imgur.com/a/p1vRlCo

Put a lift and 69 camaro in for scale lol. Obviously my height is determined by the lift, but in order to avoid as much cutting of pipe as possible, I'd get a 10' pipe, put a cross fitting, then a 2' pipe before going 45 degree for the roof pitch. Because of the 45 degree angle, the pitch of the roof is pretty high, nearly another 8' above the 10' side wall. Since I'm using tarp as my cover/shade, i can't have any sort of flat roof, or even very low angled roofs in fear of water puddling when it does rain. I have found 30 degree connections, which i could utilize except for the roof pitch, as i need another pipe going down the center, i haven't found something that lets me connect that PLUS (2) 30 degree angled ends.

 

[Bretny]

Don't people almost give away these frames? I can see them being pretty sturdy with metal roofing panels screwed to them. The tarps only last about 2yrs here. Between the snow and wind that's about it.

 

[gungatim]

I buy the carport set from Costco. IMO about the best bang for the buck. I get 3-4 years out of them, but they're cheap enough I just replace them. I used to rent party tents and had several of these as backups for people. now I just use one over my veranda/hot tub in the summer.

if you want something heavier duty, look into the setups flea markets use. much heavier pipe and tarps. there are suppliers online that sell everything individually to build whatever size you want.

here's a link to one.
https://www.ysbw.com/Canopy-Fittings-Canopy-Parts-Tent-Fittings-s/37.htm

 

[TRWham]

It is very common to use EMT or fence tubing for this, and there are plenty of sources for corners. They are available in various sizes and configurations to put together nearly any layout. I used a 3/4" EMT version when I was racing, but it went up and down every race so light weight and compactness were important. I would do a heavier duty version for a longer term installation.

 

[SundayFunday]

I store my boat on the side on the side of my garage in a 15' wide area.
I needed a tall canopy for my boat, so I added a "lift kit" to the 12x20 Shelter Logic kit.
The posts on one side are setting on a rail 2' off the ground that I added to my privacy fence.
For the garage side, I didn't want the legs in my way so I built cantilevered supports off of my garage.

Lots of "lift kit" ideas on the net. I think it would be easier to adapt a store bought kit than to start from scratch.

 

[ImmDanny]

I buy the carport set from Costco. IMO about the best bang for the buck. I get 3-4 years out of them, but they're cheap enough I just replace them. I used to rent party tents and had several of these as backups for people. now I just use one over my veranda/hot tub in the summer.

if you want something heavier duty, look into the setups flea markets use. much heavier pipe and tarps. there are suppliers online that sell everything individually to build whatever size you want.

here's a link to one.
https://www.ysbw.com/Canopy-Fittings-Canopy-Parts-Tent-Fittings-s/37.htm

I’ve been looking for them at Costco but it must be a seasonal thing because I just can’t find them. I want to go the custom route anyways because I have pretty specific dimensions to fit the side of my house and allow me to install a list in the future.

Thank you so much for that link! It’s exactly what’s I need.


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[ImmDanny]

It is very common to use EMT or fence tubing for this, and there are plenty of sources for corners. They are available in various sizes and configurations to put together nearly any layout. I used a 3/4" EMT version when I was racing, but it went up and down every race so light weight and compactness was important. I would do a heavier duty version for a longer term installation.

Thank you!!! The problem I was having was just not knowing what to call this stuff. I’m going to look into EMT and fence tubing. Quick searches have brought up the fact that both the products are substantially less expensive.


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[59 wagon man]

I have a 20' x 26' carport in my backyard made from 1-5/8 fence post(usually the top rail on a fence). you can buy all the fittings you need online and buy 20" lengths of pipe at a fence supply company. I use a 20' x 30' tarp so it provides a 1' side overhang. I mainly put this up to park my truck in the backyard and allow me a place to wash cars out of the sun

 

[readhead]

Use a couple of 90 degree street elbows to create any angle you want for the roof.

 

[ImmDanny]

I have a 20' x 26' carport in my backyard made from 1-5/8 fence post(usually the top rail on a fence). you can buy all the fittings you need online and buy 20" lengths of pipe at a fence supply company. I use a 20' x 30' tarp so it provides a 1' side overhang. I mainly put this up to park my truck in the backyard and allow me a place to wash cars out of the sun

Where did you get the fittings from? I'm finding that a lot of the online retailers that supply these fittings are unreliable from the reviews. Also, how tall is your carport? I want mine to be 12' along the edges in order to fit a lift under it. I'm not sure if i can just go straight up the 12' and then have horizontal bracing, or if I need to have additional horizontal bracing at lets say 8' or 10'.

 

[consti2tion]

Those old billboard tarps would be a great cover for your carport, they're pretty cheap and very durable. Here is one site for example. I have seen them on my local craigslist before though.

https://materialresourcers.com/products/repurposed-billboard-signs

 

[59 wagon man]

unfornutely I may have been one of those negative reviews as I remember a credit card dispute with it for something but I believe the guy was in Arizona otherwise I usually see someone at the larger auto swap meets. mine is about 8' clear and you could put it higher and brace the uprights. the tarp that covers mine come over the edge and ties to a brace that runs parallel to the ground. this fitting looks like a tee and you run tubing from one post to the next also strengening the sides

 

[59 wagon man]

Hope this helps only pic I have of canopy