How to Take Apart a Trampoline? : A Step-by-Step Guide

Trampolines can provide hours of fun and exercise for the whole family. However, there may come a time when you need to disassemble your trampoline, whether it’s for moving to a new home, putting it into storage during winter months, or getting rid of an old, worn-out model.

Taking apart a trampoline properly helps ensure you don’t damage any components in the process. This complete guide walks you through the necessary steps and precautions for safely and efficiently taking your trampoline apart.

Things You’ll Need Before to Take Apart a Trampoline

Before beginning the disassembly process, make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment on hand. Taking apart a trampoline requires little in the way of complex tools, but having the right items close by saves time and hassle. You’ll want to gather:

• Safety Goggles and Gloves:- For eye and hand protection
• Ladder:- For safely reaching the upper components
• Spring Tool/Puller:- Specially designed for removing trampoline springs
• Screwdrivers:- Both Phillips and flathead varieties
• Wrench and Socket Set:- For removing nuts and bolts
• Box Cutter/Scissors:- For removing protective padding and netting
• Trash Bags:- For properly disposing of any worn components
• A Helping Hand:- Many parts of a trampoline are large, heavy and awkward, so an extra pair of hands helps the job go more smoothly.

You’ll also want to pick a dry day when you have plenty of room to work, as well as space to spread out all the disassembled components. Having an assistant makes light work of maneuvering unwieldy pieces of steel tubing.

Finally, before getting started, familiarize yourself with the major components that make up the trampoline:-

• Frame:- The steel or aluminum tubes that create the upper enclosure and support structure.
• Springs:- The coiled steel springs that connect the jumping mat to the frame.
• Jumping Mat:- The flexible fabric mat that provides the bounce surface.
• Safety Pads:- The foam tubes that cover the frame and springs to prevent injury upon impact.
• Netting:- The mesh net enclosure that surrounds the pads and jumping area.

Step 1: Remove the Safety Netting

The first component to remove from the fully assembled trampoline is the safety netting. Completing this step first gets it out of the way, allowing for easier access when dismantling the remaining pieces.

Locate where the netting attaches to the trampoline frame, typically with a series of snap buttons, velcro straps, or net clips. Carefully unfasten each attaching point while holding onto the netting so it does not fall. Some trampolines also have a rope or tension band running through the bottom edge of the net; keep this intact for the time being so the net stays upright.

Once you’ve detached the perimeter of the netting from the frame, look for a zippered opening that allows access inside the net. Unzip the door and enter the net enclosure. From the inside, you can now unfasten the rope or tension band running along the bottom of the netting so the whole piece collapses down, making removal easier. Carefully pull the netting over the frame and pads, taking care that it does not get tangled or snagged.

Finally, gather up the safety netting and move it well out of your work area, so it remains undamaged while you finish disassembling the remaining trampoline components.

Step 2: Remove the Safety Pads

With the netting taken off, the foam safety pads encasing the trampoline frame are the next pieces to remove. Before starting, take a minute to observe how the pads are situated on your particular trampoline model.

On most trampolines, the thick foam tubes slide over the frame pieces. Others wrap entirely around the steel tubing or fasten with velcro straps or snap buttons. Some pads even secure into notches or specially designed retainers on the frame joints. Make a note of which pad fastening method you have.

Standing on the ladder beside the trampoline, start unfastening one pad section at a time, taking care not to stress or tear the foam material. For slide-on pads, leverage them off the frame gradually, wiggling them side-to-side to get them unstuck if necessary. For pads held on with straps or buttons, undo each fastener before removing the pad.

As you remove pad sections, keep control over them, so they don’t drop abruptly to the ground. Have your assistant stand on the opposite side, ready to grab pads as you pass them over the framework. Take care not to let pads knock forcibly into the springs as you maneuver them off the trampoline.

Pads that secure into special notches will take a bit more finessing to remove. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the joint crevices to carefully pry the pads free, then wiggle them out gradually.

Make several trips up and down the ladder to remove all the pad pieces. Set them well away from the work area, arranging them neatly so you can easily locate the proper sections for reassembly later on.

Step 3: Detach the Jumping Mat

Now comes the most challenging and potentially hazardous step in the trampoline disassembly process – removing the numerous tensioned springs attaching the jumping mat to the frame. Taking prudent precautions here is a must, so be sure to don your safety goggles and gloves.

Have, your assistant, hold the ladder steady as you carefully climb to the top. Surveying the area, formulate your spring removal strategy based on the arrangement you see:

Some key factors to note:

• Spring Configuration:- Horizontal or vertically aligned, number of spring rows
• Spring Spacing:- Evenly spaced or clustered along certain sections
• Spring fasteners:- Hooks, clamps or rings securing the springs

It often works best to start detaching springs in the top row, followed by another row from the opposite side. This helps balance the tension as you go, preventing uneven collapse of the mat. Symmetrically removing springs a few from each row also helps control the mat compression.

When you’re ready, position your specialized spring removal tool onto the first spring, grabbing it just above the hook or clamp securing the top coil. Firmly pull the handle to stretch out the spring, unhooking it from the mat or frame. Maintain a steady grip as you then guide the tensioned spring to gradually recoil in a controlled fashion.

Take great care during this process, as trampoline springs store enormous amounts of potential energy when stretched. A spring unleashing all its force at once can inflict serious injuries. Let each spring slowly recoil in a controlled manner before moving your hands away.

Also, maintain a balanced stance on the ladder at all times-Perhaps secure yourself to the top rung with a belt or strap for added safety and stability. Trampoline frameworks aren’taren’t the sturdiest platforms, so exercise prudent caution when working from up high. An accidental fall from the ladder could result in broken bones or worse.

Have your assistant stand clear of the downward-facing side of the trampoline during spring removal. ejected springs can fly quite far with hazardous velocity if aimed incorrectly. Verify your helper remains safely positioned before pointing a stretched spring in their vicinity.

After relieving tension from the first spring, move methodically around the mat perimeter, gradually releasing opposing springs until you make one-half or three-quarters of a revolution. As you remove more springs, the mat will sink closer to the ground. Stop occasionally to reposition your ladder for comfortable access as the tilt angle decreases.

Many find it easiest to leave a few springs attached along one side, allowing that end of the mat to support the weight while removing the final few springs. Take care not to let the heavy edge slam down abruptly once the last spring releases.

Have your assistant stand ready to lower that end gently. Finally, don the leather gloves once more to deal with any remaining frame hooks. Bend them back flat with a hammer if necessary, eliminating sharp snag hazards for future reassembly.

Step 4: Disassemble the Frame

With the mat detached and safety pads removed, all that’s left is disassembling the steel frame. For this final stage, position your ladder directly alongside the upright portion of the frame. Starting at the top, use your socket wrench and adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the nuts and bolts connecting each tubing section.

On most residential trampolines, no specialty tools are required, just standard metric sizes like 13mm and 15mm. Arrange the removed fasteners together, noting which sizes go to which locations, so rebuilding goes quick and easy. Clear away any remaining smaller loose parts like washers or spacer bushings as well.

You’ll quickly establish an efficient takedown sequence working from the top down. Generally, disconnecting the upper framing allows the vertical legs to fold inwards, followed by the lower rails detaching once clear of the ground surface.

On larger or commercial-grade trampolines, you may encounter tubes pinned together on very snug tolerances, requiring some extra effort to dislodge. Use a rubber mallet and wood block to knock them free carefully. Just be sure to strike only the frame surface, avoiding any direct hammer blows to the galvanized coating.

For any pieces reluctant to separate, spray a penetrating lubricant into the joint crevices, waiting several minutes for it to soak in before retrying. The lubricant seeps into micro gaps caused by weathering and corrosion, helping unbind stubborn connections. Use this method sparingly, though, applying only to truly stuck portions that refuse hammer taps.

As sections come apart, make sure your help is positioned to catch the freed components before they crash to the turf. Take your time dismantling the units progressively, safely lowering each segment with control. Arrange the disassembled tubes neatly along the ground, distinct groups for the separate leg quarters, top rails and verticals.

Follow this sequence, methodically breaking down the entire framework while safely managing the released chunks of steel. Before long, you’ll be left with a fully disassembled heap of trampoline components!

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ’s)

Conclusion

Completely taking a trampoline apart properly does require some physical exertion, but primarily patience and focus. By exercising prudent safety measures and following systematic takedown procedures, one person can fully disassemble even large trampoline units over several hours.

Having an extra set of helping hands always speeds the workflow and offers needed assistance maneuvering heavy, unwieldy tubes. While it may seem intimidating at first, dismantling a trampoline is very doable for a mechanically-adept individual. And the reverse process of reassembly is made far simpler by organizing components carefully as you work.

So don’t fear the task of tearing down your old trampoline. Just utilize safe techniques, clever mechanical leverage and proper assistance when necessary. With this complete guide at the ready, you can take on trampoline takedown with total confidence. If you like this article, please subscribe to our Blog and follow our Facebook page.