No wonder, investing on a trampoline without knowing the issues that may occur during its lifespan can put you in a disturbing state. A little research goes a long way before making a purchase and you wish you knew better when your one misstep causes a lot of trouble.
Inaccurate assembly, and not knowing the availability of the trampoline parts are one of the many mistakes that will bother you in long run.
Thus, it’s crucial to know the common mistakes we make with our trampoline to mitigate the potential risks. Below I have discussed 7 problematic circumstances that may emerge with your trampoline so you can take pre-emptive action.
One of the obvious reasons why springs break is mostly related to weight issues. When buying a trampoline, people often overlook or ignore its weight capacity; This especially becomes dangerous when you have heavier people within your family or friends using the trampoline.
1. Excess weight
Typically, the weight capacity of your trampoline can be found in the instruction manual or on the packaging.
If you can’t find it anywhere, try doing an online search on the model you’ve bought. For general knowledge, usually, the weight capacity of a round-shaped trampoline is 90kg to 160kg.
Another factor that can contribute to the tearing up of springs is related to how the trampoline is being used; Kids may be inclined to jump on the edges of the trampoline rather than in the center.
When that happens, all the springs do not get to work together at the same time. Over time, this can result in an unequal distribution of the springs’ ability to withhold weight capacity.
So, while setting up the trampoline, the spring placement should also be carefully put together with the jumping mat. The instruction manual that comes with your trampoline may have guidelines regarding spring placement and mat alignment.
However, if ignored, the springs will be unevenly stretched, and the jumping mat will not be centered. And serious injuries may occur when the springs are not set up correctly.
2. Leaving it Unprotected
Your trampoline may be sturdy enough to last for decades. However, weather patterns will vary throughout the seasons and are likely to bring unexpected challenges for your trampoline. When it comes to the weather, it really doesn’t matter how sturdy your trampoline is.
A bad storm or a strong wind always has the potential to throw away your trampoline to your neighbor’s house. Therefore, anchoring down your trampoline reduces that potential risk.
There are a lot of anchors available in the market, but it’s best to avoid cheaper ones as they are manufactured to give customers confidence rather than actually sustaining them. If you want your trampoline to stay exactly where you want it to be, make sure that you properly anchor your trampoline.
3. Not Following the Manual
With so many YouTube tutorials and blog posts available on how to assemble trampolines, it’s very easy to overlook the instruction manuals that your manufacturer provides.
All trampolines are built differently; therefore, the instruction manuals should be thoroughly reviewed before the assembly begins.
In addition, your manufacturer may have specific information regarding assembly procedures, best practices, maintenance, and repairability. Avoiding that information may lead you to frustration.
4. Inadequate Assembly
Jumping mats are one of the most sensitive parts of your trampoline since this is where you’ll be putting much of the stress throughout your trampoline’s lifecycle. Unfortunately, many people experience difficulties while assembling this important part of the trampoline.
And a common mistake that people make is that they start attaching the mat to the springs from one side.
The problem with this method is that after getting halfway around the frame, they start to fight against the tension of the strings. The solution is to assemble the mat only to every 10th string; this becomes a much easier job when two or more people are working simultaneously on the assembly.
This will also make the assembly process much easier and avoid putting stress on the strings and jumping mat. And when complete, the jumping mat should be centered perfectly with the frame.
Another thing to keep in mind is that every manufacturer builds their jumping mat a bit differently. Therefore, be sure to check if the manufacturer stock spare parts for the specific trampoline you’ve bought. If by any chance, your jumping mat fails, the frustration of getting it repaired can get overwhelming.
5. Improper Location
The space where you put your trampoline matters, and many people often ignore a complete assessment of the trampoline size or the spatial dimensions of their backyard before purchasing.
So, plan ahead to where you wish to put your trampoline.
Things will become much easier if you start the assembly process on the spot where you’re planning to keep the trampoline. Moving your trampoline elsewhere after the assembly process is complete will be a challenge and will most likely take more people. This also further raises the potential of having your trampoline damaged.
For optimal safety, it is recommended that the trampoline is stationed where there is a clear passage for people to walk by.
Also, make sure that there are no risky objects lying around the trampoline that could increase stumbling risks. Therefore, carefully check for hazards like cables, tree branches, etc.
Trampolines have a very high life expectancy and are most likely to stay in your backyard for many years. Therefore, sound judgment regarding its location is a must.
6. Undermining the Repairability
Trampolines have been gaining enormous popularity over the past couple of decades. This is why there are not many manufacturers available in the market.
It is important to note that all trampolines are built differently. Therefore, learning about the repairability of the brand you’re buying is key to its longevity. If your manufacturer is doing their work properly, they should label all the parts separately.
However, you should discuss if all these parts are readily available in stock and for how long they may be able to provide their services. Since all trampolines are designed diversly, you don’t want to end up in situations where it gets nearly impossible to find and repair a specific part of your trampoline.
Warranty is another good indicator of how long your trampoline is likely to last. If the manufacturer provides a long-term warranty, this should ensure that your manufacturer has good confidence in their products and services.
Be sure to have the model number of your trampoline, and the contact information of your manufacturer noted somewhere in case you ever need it.
Also, having spare parts readily available for your trampoline is always a good idea. Since your trampoline will be dealing with a lot of variables such as weather, the weight of the people, etc., you never really know when a spring might break or start to rust.
Having enough screws, bolts, springs, etc., available can always benefit you in case of sudden damage.
7. Not Using UV Protection
Leaving your trampoline without UV protection is one of the greatest mistakes you can do that invites fatal ramifications.
Unfortunately, people tend to undermine the necessity of using a UV protection shield. The harmful UV rays affect the trampoline matt to its core, and over time it starts to wither and can rip apart while bouncing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest mistake you can make with your trampoline?
Not checking the warranty policy before making a purchase is the dumbest thing you can do since it defines how long your product will survive.
Also, it indicates the supplier’s confidence in their product.
Now about the trampoline warranty, it differs from years to a lifetime. Therefore, choosing a trampoline depends on your budget and how long you want one trampoline to last.
Is buying a secondhand trampoline a good idea?
Where do I begin? This whole concept of buying a secondhand trampoline to save some bucks never worked out well for the most part. Cheap is good but not always the best.
Most owners who sell their trampolines either got frustrated with the constant disassembling and tweaking issues or just wanted to get rid of their old ones and buy a new model.
Mostly it is always the “maintenance” part where owners lose their marbles and decide to sell them for good. Thus, unless you don’t know the seller personally or have a really good deal, like a new generation trampoline that has been used only for a few months, then don’t hop into the “trampoline thrifting” trend.
Why are my trampoline frames bowing?
Well, frame bowing is a common issue that comes with rectangular trampolines. And it happens when you buy a cheap one with poor frame construction. If you have already purchased one and want to fix the issue, then replace the frames with thicker and tougher ones.
Moreover, you can also equip additional support rails for improved stability. Otherwise, it may or will curb the bounce impact and cause injuries.
What can I do if my trampoline mat is tearing apart?
The new generation trampoline manufacturers offer spare mat for replacement or any kind of modification. If your mat is damaged or you notice a tear you can either mend it by contacting the sellers or you can change the mat with a new one.
Final Remarks
Getting to know about the common mistakes we make with our trampoline will help you prevent the potential inconveniences. This way you can not only save the trouble of further amendments but also secure the bank.
There, of course, can be the occasional inevitable surprises that your trampoline may throw at you. However, if you have children, learning more about the common issues people face with trampolines will ensure them a safe and healthy environment to grow up.
Last Updated on May 20, 2023
