An outdoor trampoline isn’t just a great addition to your backyard; it’s also the easiest way to convince your kids to take a break from their screens in favor of some classic outdoor fun. You can relax and watch them jump their extra energy away, or let your inner child free and join in.
But while fun and all, trampolines have a large surface area and can be easily blown away by strong winds. We’ve got a few tricks on how to anchor a trampoline below.
Why You Should Anchor Your Trampoline
Although securing your trampoline might seem like a lot of work, it’s essential for a few reasons.
It Makes Your Trampoline Safer to Use
Anchoring your trampoline keeps it grounded—even during heavy jumping. That makes it safe for both children and adults.
Prevents it from Flying Away
Winds as low as 40mph are usually enough to blow an unanchored trampoline away. Securing your trampoline using wind stakes, auger-style anchors, and other methods discussed herein prevent this from happening.
Prevents Damage and Potential Injuries
An unanchored trampoline in strong winds can fly away, causing damage to anything and serious injuries to anyone on its path. Although you may find it afterward, it’ll probably be too damaged to be functional again. Securing your trampoline from the moment you bring it home prevents this from happening.
How to Anchor Your Trampoline Using Wind Stakes
Wind stakes are popular U or J-shaped, solid steel accessories used to anchor a trampoline. They typically come in standard sets of four to six, but you may find some with more. Wind stakes are a popular option for a few reasons.
- They’re affordable
- They’re seamless to install
- They’re secured deep in the ground and won’t pose a tripping hazard
However, wind stakes don’t hold up well for long. That means they can come loose with regular trampoline use or if installed in soft or wet ground. Regularly check and hammer them into the ground to keep them secure.
How to Choose Quality Wind Stakes
With the varieties of wind stakes in the market, choosing quality wind stakes can be tricky, especially for first-time buyers. Here are some handy pointers to guide your purchase.
- Width: For wind stakes to properly anchor your trampoline to the ground, their width must be compatible with your trampoline’s diameter. Get wind stakes at least 2inches wide as it’s wide enough to feature most trampoline legs.
- Material: Since they’re installed deep in the ground, wind stakes are highly susceptible to rusting. In that light, go for wind stakes with galvanized steel and a possible coating to reduce corrosion and early deterioration.
- The number of trampoline legs: As noted, stakes come in sets of four to six. However, some trampolines feature W-shaped legs and may need up to 12 wind stakes. Ensure you consider your trampoline’s frame design to get the right set of wind stakes.
Anchoring Your Trampoline Using Wind Stakes
Now that you know what they’re and how to choose the best, here’s how to anchor your trampoline using wind stakes.
- Slightly wet the ground before installation, so it’s easier to hammer the wind stakes in
- Wind stakes offer better stability when equidistant. So, identify the center of your trampoline’s frames and fit one wind stake on each leg
- Drive the wind stakes deep into the ground using a hammer for a strong grip. With your ground already wet, you should get it done in only a few taps
Bonus tip: Use up to three sets of wind stakes to anchor your trampoline if you reside in a storm-prone area or feel the ground around your trampoline is too soft.
How to Anchor Your Trampoline Using Auger-Style Anchors
The best way to anchor your trampoline is by using auger-style anchors. Also known as corkscrew anchors, auger-style anchors often come in kits, including a set of drill-shaped hooks and straps.
Thanks to their design, auger-style anchors offer a stronger ground grip and, if properly installed, are less likely to come loose even with everyday trampoline use or strong winds. However, they’re more expensive than wind stakes and require a bit of elbow grease to install. Here’s what to consider when choosing auger-style anchors:
- Design: Auger-style anchors are slightly harder to install. Some manufacturers make them seamless to install through unique design tweaks such as T-hook for quick and easy assembly.
- Material: Similar to wind stakes, auger-style anchors are also susceptible to rust. Opt for galvanized steel-made auger style anchors with nylon straps for durability
Anchoring Your Trampoline with Auger-Style Anchors
Although slightly harder, anchoring a trampoline with auger-style anchors is a task you can handle. Here’s how to go about it.
- Measure and mark: Like wind stakes, auger-style anchors serve their function best when placed at consistent distances. Measure about 1.5 feet inward from each leg, and mark each spot before you move on to the next.
- Install: In a clockwise direction, twist the pointed end into the ground until the hooked end is 6cm at ground level. Do the same for all anchors in your kit, and confirm they’re secure.
- Secure straps: Next, secure each strap over your trampoline’s frame, and then connect it to the anchor.
Bonus tip: If you reside in an area with storms and severe winds, go for wide arch anchors. They often feature heavy-duty steel and may have up to eight pins meaning they offer a much stronger ground grip for your trampoline. They’re usually pricier but a good investment in the long run because you’ll never have to worry about your trampoline flying away. Alternatively, you may use both wind stakes and auger-style anchors to secure your trampoline.
Wind Stakes vs. Auger-Style Anchors: Which One is Better?
Each method has advantages and definite disadvantages. In that light, what works better depends on your specific situation. For a quick, affordable way to anchor your trampoline, wind stakes are the way to go. But if you want a more reliable, nearly permanent solution, auger-style anchors are a perfect fit.
How to Anchor a Trampoline: Other Methods
Wind stakes and auger-style anchors keep your trampoline secured, but you can also do the following to ensure it never flies away even in extremely bad weather.
Use Sandbags
You can use sandbags to either enhance the efficiency of your anchors and wind stakes or when you have no anchors at all and need to secure your trampoline urgently.
They add extra weight keeping your trampoline grounded during high winds. They are also budget-friendly, as all you need to do is find empty bags, fill them with sand and place them around your trampoline’s legs. You can use the empty sacks you have at home or buy durably constructed ones from sites like Amazon.
Note, however, these bags can be tedious to fill and move. Also, the bags wear out over time and need frequent replacing. This once again makes auger-style anchors the best solution for how to anchor your trampoline.
Pour Concrete
Dig out a small area around your trampoline’s stakes, and then pour in the concrete. Similar to the option below, this is a permanent solution hence more stable and safer. But you won’t be moving your trampoline again, so ensure you find a good location for it.
Try a In-ground Trampoline
In-ground or sunken trampolines aren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they are also permanent, which means you’ll never have to worry about your trampoline flying away again or even being stolen. And because they’re ground level, you don’t have to worry about your child falling off a trampoline. Check out the steps for creating one below.
- Find an ideal spot: If your backyard is prone to flooding, you cannot create a sunken trampoline. You’ll also need to create room for air to escape. So start by determining whether your garden is suitable and, if yes, find the ideal spot. Ensure it’s about two meters from your fence, trees, and other obstacles
- Determine the dimensions: If you’re happy with the spot you chose, place your trampoline on it, measure the depth, and spray paint the circumference to determine the size of the trench you’ll need to dig.
- Dig: With dimensions in hand, dig out a hole big enough to fit your trampoline in such a way that its surface remains at ground level while the legs and frame are sunken
- Install and secure your trampoline: Place your trampoline inside the trench, and secure it to the ground using the anchor set provided. Not every model features an anchor set, though. In such a case, use some of the soil excavated earlier to create a doughnut around the dug-out area and then cover it with turf. This makes the area safe to run on, more attractive, and also leaves enough room for air circulation.
While sinking your trampoline is an excellent way to anchor it, there’s a lot of digging to be done, and you may need an extra hand and quality digging tools. Also, if you don’t leave enough room for air to escape, the bounce quality reduces, and you may experience irritating “slap-like” noises every time you jump.
For a straightforward and reliable way to anchor your trampoline, try auger-style stakes. But for a permanent solution, sinking your trampoline is the way to go.
How to Anchor Your Trampoline: Extra Tips
Here are more tips to keep your trampoline well-secured during use and when windy weather takes over.
Remove the Net after Use
Although a trampoline’s safety net is designed to keep it from flying away, it does the opposite during storms. That said, if your area is hurricane-prone, always remove the net after use. Without it, the anchors or the wind stakes will provide sufficient support for the frame, preventing it from being blown away. Besides, removing your trampoline’s net after use saves it from being torn during storms.
Consider Getting a Trampoline Skirt
A trampoline skirt is a mesh accessory which as the name implies, covers the exterior of the unit’s legs for safety purposes. It also helps break the wind, preventing your trampoline from going airborne. Consider getting one to further protect your trampoline against strong winds in storm-prone areas.
Disassemble It
If you experience many hurricanes where you live, dismantling your trampoline whenever hurricane season is around the corner is the best way to keep it safe. This is because hurricanes often produce exceptionally strong winds that sometimes even anchors aren’t enough. Note, taking apart a trampoline takes time, which means this option is only viable if you have time.
Final Comments
Whether you bought it for fun with your kids or for exercising, a trampoline is no doubt a good investment. Proper anchoring keeps every user safe and prevents it from flying away and causing damage. Now that you know how to anchor a trampoline, maximize your options and create a stable, safe trampoline for your household. For more tips, head over to our guide on trampoline setup.
