You may have thought that once Spring arrives, you can assemble your trampoline and leave it up till late Fall. But that may not always be the case. There will be those bad storm days where it is best to disassemble your trampoline before the wind catches it and gives it to one of your neighbors.
Disassembling a trampoline is a good idea in a variety of situations such as if you intend to repurpose the trampoline, are taking it down because of weather, or if you are preparing to winterize the trampoline. To learn how to do this chore efficiently and quickly, just continue to read our article. Please note that manufacturers will commonly require unique steps for their particular brand, so below are general steps you can expect to follow.
Tools Required
The good news is, you do not have to have a lot of tools on hand to get the job done right. All you should need will be included in the following list:
1. gloves to protect your hand
2. spring pulling tool (or a pair of pliers)
3. Phillips head screwdriver
4. 10 mm wrench (may vary depending on the brand)
5. electric drill
How to Disassemble a Trampoline
There are a few steps to this process and the first one is that you should clean the mat off first before removing it from the springs and the frame. It is easier to clean the mat before you take it off the frame.
Here are the rest of the steps you should follow:
#1. Remove the accessories– this needs to be done first to have better access to the screws, nuts, and bolts. Plus, with the safety netting, ladder, and other accessories out of the way, you won’t run the risk of damaging them.
#2. Remove the spring pads– this is the second step as you may not be able to get to them until the other items are taken down first. These should not be that hard to remove if they are only tied to the frame.
#3. The springs– this may be the toughest part of the job. You will need your spring puller (you kept the one provided with your trampoline, right?) to unhook the mat. If you do not have a spring puller tool, a pair of pliers will work, and make sure to pull from the open-end side.
#4. The mat– once the springs are off, your mat is separated from the frame. So, the only work you have to do here is to fold the jumping mat up. Make sure to not put it in the dirt after you spent all that time cleaning it.
#5. The frame – once all the other items have been removed, it is only a matter of time before the frame comes apart. You can use a Phillips head screwdriver or your electric drill. The latter tool will make the disassembling super easy. Just make sure to put the screws in a safe spot and not lose them.
#6. The last step – After the trampoline has been disassembled, you need to put everything in the box or a safe spot where nothing will get lost. This is a good time to check the springs and to see if any are rusting or broken. If so, separate them and when you have time you can dispose of them and buy new ones.
Once everything is boxed up put the box in a safe spot until you are ready to reassemble it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. How long does it take?
The length of time it takes depends on two things. One, how good you are at using tools, etc. Two, how big is your trampoline. The smaller size will go faster but you can plan on taking between 2 and 5 hours
#2. Is it an easy task to do?
Yes, it is straightforward to remove all the items on a trampoline. Taking down the accessories, such as the safety enclosure, are normally the most time-intensive tasks.
#3. How do you take down a rusty trampoline?
If the springs are rusty, you simply pick one spring, remove it, then go to the exact opposite spring and remove that one. Continue this pattern until all the springs have been removed. Furthermore, if your trampoline is squeaking, which is common when rust is involved, this could be a good time to stop your trampoline from squeaking.
#4. What if the screws are stuck in the frame?
This can happen as screws are made from metal and they can rust over time. All you need to do is use some penetrating oil or spray and let the oil or spray soak in for about 10 minutes. The screws should be loose. You can do the same thing for any frame parts that are stuck together.
#5. How do I store the trampoline when it is taken apart?
The best place to store your trampoline equipment is in a dry spot that is out of the reach of the sun, preferably a shed.
Final Words
As you can see disassembling a trampoline is not hard. All it takes is a little common sense, a few tools, and minimal skills. If your frame is made from rust-resistant material, it is possible to leave it where it is, but it is not advisable. Extending the life of your trampoline is an easy thing to do to maximize your investment.