If you are looking to install a trampoline in your backyard, you’ve made a good decision. A trampoline can provide a very good outlet for kids to enjoy more time outdoors and to get exercise. Trampolines can require some maintenance to ensure they last a long time and provide years of fun for the family. This can often require replacing parts such as the mat, safety padding, or safety enclosure. As you have already set up the trampoline, it is often easier to replace these parts, such as installing a jumping mat. However, setting up a trampoline can be a struggle if you’ve never done it before. In this article, we will be going over some of the top tips on how to set up a trampoline.
If you’re interested, read our article about the best trampolines for teens to learn which ones work best for young adults.
Setting up a Trampoline
Plan Out A Spot
Plan Out A SpotThe most important thing you want to do going into the process is to plan out a spot where you will be placing the trampoline. After all, you are going to need to purchase a trampoline that not only fits in your backyard or wherever you are placing it, but you also need it to fit within your budget. You can find a variety of different sized trampolines at various price points. Once you have planned out a spot, you will be able to make a buying decision based on size and price and you can move on to setting it up.
Get Everything You Need
When you are going into the setup process, you want to have everything you need prior to getting started. Therefore, you want to be certain you have everything you need in terms of equipment and tools. Having all of this with you can do wonders for your ability to speed through the entire setup process as easy as possible. In order to set up the trampoline effortlessly, you should have with you a hammer, a power drill, and a device to pull the springs (this can also be used when disassembling the trampoline).
Read The Directions
When you are looking to get into the setup process, you want to be certain you read the directions inside and out. The manufacturer might have specific instructions that you have to follow during the setup process. Because of this, you should be examining the instructions and taking notes if you have to. This is going to give you an advantage when you are going through the actual setup process because you will know what to do. While you are doing this, you can begin taking everything out of the box. That way, you can look at the pieces involved with the setup process as you begin to read the instructions. This can get you familiar with everything and it can help you check everything off to be certain that the box contains all of the right pieces. Please note that some trampolines will have different components than other models, especially in the case of different shaped models (see Rectangle Trampolines vs. Round Trampolines)
Begin The Assembly Process
Once you have laid out all of the tools and equipment that you are going to be using during the setup process, you should be looking to assemble the frame. This is key because you want to be sure that you are placing everything where it belongs. Otherwise, the trampoline is not going to work as intended. Once you have the frame assembled properly, you will be able to move onto assembling the actual pad.
As you begin this process, you will begin to notice how difficult it becomes once you get to attaching the later springs. This is due to the tightness with which a pad needs to be tightened. After all, the trampoline needs to be as tight as possible to provide ample bounce (see How to Make a Trampoline Bouncier). This is where you will need to leverage tools to get these slots into place. Ideally, you want to use something like a hammer to help place the springs where they need to be without injuring yourself.
Using The Net For Safety
The net that is installed on your trampoline is crucial to ensure jumpers are as safe as possible (see Are Trampolines with Nets Safe? for more). It’s essential that you install the net according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Without installing this net, you could be putting your kids at risk for getting hurt while they are playing on it ad using it. If the trampoline comes with an enclosure net that has attached poles, you want to apply extra padding to each pole to avoid exposing the poles where a kid can fall on it. Likewise, any wires that are exposed should be dealt with. You want to cover them up with padding.
Overall, there are plenty of things that you will want to be sure you do throughout the setup process. Planning things out beforehand is what you want to do to ensure that your trampoline is going to fit. Likewise, you want to get all of the equipment and tools needed to make the setup process as seamless as possible. You can always consider watching videos of people setting up trampolines if you need a visual guide. Be certain you are reading the instructions as each trampoline might have different orders of steps to follow. By doing all of this, you should have your trampoline set up in no time flat.
