A trampoline is a great way to have fun doing physical activity. Assembling a trampoline of any size (6ft to 14 ft.) is a long and enjoyable process if you know the steps and if you are just getting started, you can follow the steps below to easily assemble your kid’s or your own trampoline. A 6ft trampoline should take about two hours to create and subsequently, a 10ft. or a 14 ft. trampoline will take a bit longer. The most important thing is safety during fun. So, I will take you through a step by step 10-step procedure on how you can assemble a trampoline.
Step One: Check the Trampoline Package
Once you have the package, you have to ensure you have everything you need before assembling. The first and vital item is the trampoline manual. The manual should have a checklist of the things you need to check as you organize them on the ground. The items include:
- Trampoline Galvanized Steel Frame
- Trampoline Legs
- Trampoline T-Section Joints
- Enclosure Poles
- Enclosure net
- Steel Trampoline Ladder (If your trampoline comes with a ladder)
- Anchor Kit Pegs and Strings (Again, if it comes with the trampolines)
- Trampoline Spring Cover and Padding
After ensuring all these items are present, you are ready for the next step.
Step Two: Gather the Tools
Ensure you have the tools listed below;
- Power drill (Philips head screwdriver)
- Spring pulling device
- Rubber mallet
- Gloves
All these ready and organized orders prepare you for the next step, which is assembling the trampoline.
Step Three: Building the Structure
Take the trampoline steel structure parts. They form the circular shape of the trampoline and the T-Joint sections. Confirm you have an equal number of T-Joints to the trampoline frame parts.
Connect and join the T-Sections to the trampoline structure parts. The purpose of the T-Sections is to provide a connection to the trampoline legs. For 6ft – 8ft trampolines, you should expect three double legs. You can now join each frame piece together to form the perfect circle. The circle is the basis of the trampoline structure. Make sure the frame is tightly connected. It should be tight enough since a frame that is too tight will rattle. You should have a design that looks like the one below.
Step Four: Assemble the Legs
With the circular border, you can proceed to add the legs. The legs join into the T-sections that we put to the structure earlier. You may need a partner to help you add one second leg and then move onto the next. Make sure the T-Joints and the legs are screwed and secured correctly. Once that is complete, you will have a structure like the one below.
Step Five: Correctly set up the Mat and springs
It is essential to ensure the mat is hole-free, the springs unused, and a spring tool is in the package. Once that is done, it is time to put on your gloves. Springs need to be fixed correctly and cautiously. Note, they bring the bouncing fun on the trampoline, so you have to certify their fixation. The following steps will help you to fix the springs correctly.
- Spread the trampoline jump mat centered in the metal frame opening. For outdoor trampolines, you may want it to sit in the sun for a while as the warmth makes it stretch more hence a little easier to install.
- Insert a spring, hook side down, into one of the trampoline mat’s v-rings or spring loops. Insert the other hook of the spring into a hole in the trampoline frame.
- Next, on the opposite side of the trampoline, insert a spring, hook side down, into the v-ring. Pull back with a spring tool and insert the other hook of the spring into the trampoline frame.
- Now, position yourself midway between the two attached springs on either side of the trampoline. Insert a spring, hook side down, into the V-ring centered between the two tied springs. Pull back with a spring pulling device and insert the other hook of the spring into the trampoline frame. Repeat the process for the other springs around the mat till you get back to the starting point. Remember to attach springs at each middle v-ring.
- The springs allow even spread of tension throughout the bounce mat and springs.
In case of difficulty in spring insertion,
You can use the rubber to hammer in the spring into the frame holes.
Once all the instructions have been followed correctly, you will have a figure that looks like the one below.
Step Six: Adding a Protective Pad to the Trampoline
The protective pad helps to cushion a fall on the springs. Lay the pad over the springs. There should be holes at the bottom of the padding that lines up with the legs. Protective pads usually have metal hooks or ropes to secure the pad to the trampoline. Once you are finished attaching it, make sure that it is aligned over all of the springs. You can then add the bungee loop. These loops help to preserve the net during bouncing.
Step Seven: Including the Trampoline Enclosure Net
It resembles the one in the picture below.
It is essential to protect the jumper from falling off the trampoline after a jump. Since we have the trampoline net and steel rods, the net forms the attachment, and the steel rods create sustenance. Screw the rods together using the joints. They should easily screw, and for a 6ft trampoline, you should have three extended steel rods. Screw the rods together using the joints, as shown below.
The rods should easily screw, and for a 6ft trampoline, you should have three extended steel rods.
Step Eight: Threading the Trampoline Steel Enclosures
There’s a hole that these rods go into smoothly. Once all three are done, you join the trampoline rods together to create one sizeable circular ring, commonly as the trampoline halo. Once you have the trampoline halo setup, you attach the trampoline enclosure to the top of the trampoline—the Halo slots into the chamber. You should note that the trampoline net at the bottom is not yet secured. Avoid securing this until after the trampoline net is attached to the top. The diagram below should give you a lead to the correct directions.
Thread the string through the bottom of the trampoline enclosure net and secure it to the trampoline frame. Usually, you have to tie it to individual loops on the trampoline mat. Keep a lookout for these loops. If properly secured, the bottom will look like the one below.
You have your working trampoline with an enclosure net that will minimize accidents and injuries!
Step Nine: Positioning the Trampoline
You have to choose the best position to put your trampoline. The safest place to put a trampoline is on an even ground. Collect all the materials you used in its assembling and store them away safely since they may be needed for later use or even disassembling after use. Remember to read any warnings before you start using it.
Step Ten: Test Your Trampoline
It is crucial to test the trampoline before the original fun begins. Your trampoline awaits usage. Have fun.
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Mary Stephens is our infant development and baby fun activities specialist here at Motherhood HQ. She has over 10 years of experience dealing with kids, previously as a K3 teacher and now as a K9-12 teacher specializing in physical education and Social Studies. She is certified to teach in New York and Massachusetts and when not teaching trampoline jump tricks or giving toddler safety guides, she enjoys writing and providing helpful guides to parents on baby fun activities from infancy to toddlerhood. Mary is also an independent consultant providing parents with fun activities at home and appropriate toys and baby gear for infants and toddler development. She can be reached at her email, mary.s(at)motherhoodhq.com.