Joining two timbers end to end

[big-all]

providing it have center legs to support the center and the mid rail is fixed at each end it will be just fine as you are doubling up on the mid rails strength
i have made around 20 individual normal and bunk beds from wood
yes full width ideally but cut will be ok
if you are worried double up on the slats [inbetween ]in the center a foot from the top and at the bottom to cover the high load areas

 

[twoleftfeet]

Well after all the excellent advice I spent the afternoon removing the filler and 47 screws. Some were fiendish to remove where philips heads were worn. Black & Decker useless so all by hand. I replaced with new screws so won't have the same problem again. Now reassembled in the room, sore hands but satisfied.
Very glad I didn't cut the rails or anything else.
Cheers and thanks.

 

[big-all]

thanks for taking the time to let us know how you got on
as an aside theres a fair chance they require pozi 2 bits [star within a star]
philips tend to be for automotive and drywall screw

 

[big-all]

appologies people didnt realise it was a futon style base so my cutting along the slats was indeed wrong information
was that picture there earlier ---


--- missed it

 

[Norcon]

The scarf joint......
http://tinyurl.com/mn8j5ef