There are countless reasons parents may want to move a trampoline. You may be investigating a new landscaping idea for your backyard. You may be moving into a larger home for your growing family. Or in some cases, moving the trampoline may be necessary to make room for a new playset. Have we mentioned we know a thing or two about playsets?
As a dad who feels the need to redo the yard from time to time, I can tell you that you’ll run into plenty of reasons to disassemble and relocate a trampoline. . Although you can move a trampoline without taking it down, you do risk damaging the set.
At first glance, disassembling a trampoline can seem complicated. However, it’s just not as hard as it looks. With that in mind, below is a detailed step-by-step of how to disassemble a trampoline for moving.
Tools and Materials You Need to Disassemble a Trampoline
When you buy a new trampoline, the package will likely include some custom tools. You’ll use these tools for the installation and find some of these tools are necessary to disassemble the trampoline safely.
Before attempting to take apart your kid’s trampoline, your toolbox should include the following:
- A spanner with a 10mm radius
- A spring puller
- A screwdriver
- A power drill
- Gloves
Next, let’s examine the role each tool will play in taking apart a trampoline.
Spring Tool / Spring Puller
Many people refer to the spring puller as the spring tool, while others refer to it as a trampoline hook. The spring puller is vital to the set-up and disassembly of a trampoline. It comes with a plastic handle that has finger grooves to ensure a firm grip.
The spring puller can come as a single product or double. It’s always better to buy a pair of spring pullers. I find that working with a pair offers added comfort and flexibility. If this is your first time taking down a trampoline, you want the added flexibility of double spring pullers.
The primary role of the spring puller is to help you remove springs easily. It can also be useful when you’re trying to remove the anchors of the trampoline during the disassembly. Using a spring puller while measuring the springs will ensure accuracy.
Screwdriver and Spanner
While taking apart a trampoline, the screwdriver and spanner are tools you can use interchangeably. However, having both will make the disassembly faster and easier for you.
A trampoline comes with screws and nuts to hold it firm while your kids play on it. The screwdriver and spanner are the dedicated tools for unscrewing bolts and screws on the playset.
Electric Drill
You don’t need to have a power drill to take apart a trampoline, but I recommend using one because it’ll make loosening screws easier.
Gloves
Disassembling a trampoline is a manual task. With manual tasks, there’s always the risk of injuring your hands. And, we all know how painful getting your hand caught in a coil can get.
A pair of gloves will protect your hands while you’re taking apart the trampoline. Gloves will also help you work confidently in the knowledge that you’re totally safe.
For the best protection, I’d advise you to buy work gloves with double coats.
Step-by-step Process for Taking Apart a Trampoline
Taking apart a trampoline is a methodical process. It’s safe to say that this process will take you at least an hour, so plan accordingly.
Clean the Trampoline
Over time, it’s normal for your kid’s trampoline to accumulate dirt from different sources. Dirt can make it a tad bit complicated to take apart a trampoline. I recommend cleaning the trampoline before you start to disassemble. In many cases, a washcloth and clean water will do the trick.
Remove Trampoline Nets
Removing the trampoline nets follows the same procedure regardless of the type of trampoline. Start by removing the clubhouse, tent, and any other components blocking your access to the nets.
Most safety nets come with poles. While removing the safety nets, you have to separate them from the poles. If these poles are inserted into the trampoline frame, start by detaching them. In many cases, you’ll need a power drill or a screwdriver to unscrew the poles.
Remove all the poles and lay them on the floor. In some cases, you may also need to untie the nets at the bottom.
After untying the net, you can easily take them off the poles. If your poles have screws, make sure you keep them safe. You’ll need the screws to reassemble the trampoline.
Take Off the Safety Padding
Safety padding is easy to remove, as most pads are just tied on, so you’ll just need to put on your old sailor cap and take on those worn knots. We recommend removing safety padding after detaching the safety net.
The safety padding has knots which are usually under the trampoline. It may require a bit of bending, but you have to untie the knots under the trampoline. If a knot proves challenging for your bare hands, try using a screwdriver to loosen it.
Remove the Springs
Personally, I think that this is the most challenging part of disassembling a trampoline.
The spring puller is your biggest ally when removing the springs. Well, that and your old-man strength for brute force…
The first step is to check the state of the trampoline springs. The way you’ll remove a spring in good shape differs from a worn or broken spring. Also, you have to check if the springs are rusty, as removing these takes a different approach.
If you’re satisfied with the condition of the springs, here’s a step-by-step to removing them safely.
- Get a good view of the spring’s hooks on your trampoline. The spring may hook to a V-ring or a D-ring, depending on the type of the trampoline.
- Hook your spring tool on the spring hook.
- Now that you have the spring hooked, you can pull the spring to the center of the trampoline.
- When you pull it to the center, the spring should unlatch from the spring hook on the V or D ring.
- Use a similar process to unhook the remaining springs, skipping over every 3 springs to distribute the spring force evenly over the remaining springs..
- In some cases, you can use the unhooked spring to remove any remaining springs.
- All you need to do is unhook the end of one spring to remove other springs.
Fold the Trampoline Mats
After unhooking all the springs, you only have the trampoline frame and mat left. Simply fold the mat neatly and store it in a dry place.
Disassemble the Trampoline Frame
If you have assembled a trampoline frame in the past, taking it apart is pretty much a reverse of the same process. Here is where you’ll have to do a lot of unscrewing.
A screwdriver will be your partner while disassembling the frame. If you’re able to procure a power drill, it can make the task faster. Also, it will not hurt to have a can of WD-40 or another greasing agent to help with some pesky (and possibly rusty) screws.
After removing all of the screws, detach each leg from the trampoline’s outer ring. The legs can be quite heavy, so take care to ensure they don’t fall on your feet. Again, we recommend working your way around the trampoline such that you’ve distributed weight evenly, not just going one post to the adjacent one.
After removing the legs, you have to take apart the outer ring. Twist the outer rings to separate them from the T-joints. Then, store each component in designated storage boxes.
How to Move a Trampoline Safely and Effectively to Your New Home
Moving a trampoline safely becomes easy after disassembling it. You can store each component separately in designated boxes.
Okay, you’ve ignored our advice because you’re just moving it a few feet or across the yard, not necessarily across town. If you choose not disassemble the trampoline, here are some other options you can explore.
Trampoline Wheels
Your trampoline may not come with wheels but they’re a common accessory. You can buy trampoline wheels on Amazon for pretty cheap. They only cost a few dollars and come in different sizes and shapes. It’s up to you to buy wheels that fit your trampoline.
After buying the wheels, attach each one to the trampoline’s legs. Then, you can push the set in the required direction. Moving your trampoline to a new home using wheels obviously isn’t practical unless you bought one of your neighbor’s houses.
Manual Method
If you have the manual strength, you can try moving the trampoline with the help of a few friends.
Just like with wheels, the manual method isn’t practical for long distance relocation. You can try it if you want to change the location of the trampoline within your yard.
Final Comments
Disassembling your kid’s trampoline is only complicated the first time. Make sure you have the required tools and follow the steps above for a seamless disassembly. Once you’ve successfully moved your trampoline to your new home, be sure to read our trampoline setup guide. Good luck!
