if it's strapped and flagged i think it's fine when it's protruding from the vehicle, only thing i'd be worried about is them sliding front to back

doubt it's freeway legal, if the travel distance isn't too long i'm sure you won't get in trouble

when i purchased steel for my roll bar i had the place cut it in half from 20', then had it in the bed sloped up to the cab up and over, then tied it down at the tailgate and through the windows <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

could be less worries and work if you can cut it in half if it fits into you plans, in my case it did after taking measurements