How to Keep a Trampoline From Blowing Away in High Winds: The Ultimate Guide

Do you want to learn How to Keep a Trampoline from Blowing Away in High Winds? Trampolines can provide hours of fun and exercise for the whole family. However, their large, lightweight design also makes them vulnerable to being blown around, or even away, when strong winds strike. There’s nothing quite as disheartening as seeing your beloved trampoline tumbling down the street or landing in a neighbor’s yard due to high winds.

How to Keep a Trampoline From Blowing Away in High Winds?

The good news is there are several effective methods you can use to securely anchor your trampoline and keep it safely in place during windstorms. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best ways to prevent trampoline wind damage depending on your setup and situation. Read on to learn professional tips and tricks to outsmart Mother Nature and protect your investment from her temperamental moods.

Assess Your Trampoline Setup

The first step in bolstering your trampoline against gusty weather is to examine its current setup. Consider the following factors:

• Location:- Is your trampoline already positioned in the most wind-protected area possible? If not, can you move it to a better spot?
• Type:- What kind of trampoline do you have? For example, inground trampolines may require different anchoring tactics than above-ground variations.
• Size:- Larger trampolines have more surface area for winds to catch. Weight can also be an important consideration.
• Enclosure:- Trampoline enclosures act like a sail when winds blow through them. A netted enclosure is especially problematic.
• Surrounding Obstructions:- Objects like trees and buildings can create wind tunnels that further increase wind forces on your trampoline.

Take some time to thoroughly survey your trampoline situation so you can determine the best anti-wind solutions.

Effective Anchoring Methods

Anchor kits designed specifically for securing trampolines, available from retailers or the manufacturer, are always your best bet for keeping them stationary in windy conditions. But in a pinch, there are also some DIY approaches you can try.

Here are the most common and effective ways to anchor both inground and above-ground trampolines against extreme winds:

Inground Trampolines

1. Anchor kit: Purchased anchor kits contain heavy-duty stakes and galvanized steel cables engineered to keep inground trampolines firmly in place without budging. Anchor kits attach to the trampoline frame V-rings or springs. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions closely when installing an anchor kit.
2. Rebar stakes: For a homegrown alternative without cables, drive multiple pieces of sturdy rebar (often used to reinforce concrete installations) at least 1.5 – 2 feet deep around the trampoline frame using a post pounder. Secure the rebar to the frame V-rings with zip ties or rope. The greater the quantity and depth of rebar stakes, the better.
3. Concrete Deadman:- This old-school anchoring trick has proven reliable over the years. First, get large, heavy objects like cinder blocks or poured concrete weights. Secure ropes or cables around them. Then, bury these “Deadman” anchors at least 18 inches deep near the outer edges of your in-ground trampoline. Connect to frame V-rings as with other stake options.

Above-Ground Trampolines

1. Galvanized Earth Auger Anchors:- Also called corkscrew stakes, earth augers twist into the ground easily by hand or with an electric drill adaptor. Made from weather-resistant galvanized steel, they stand up well to outdoor conditions. Use at least three auger anchors situated around the frame to keep the trampoline steady against gusts.
2. Concrete Weights:- These cube-shaped molded concrete weights each weigh around 40 lbs. Place 3-4 weights around the frame periphery and tie them directly to the steel trampoline legs using outdoor-rated strapping or rope. The sheer heft of these concrete blocks resists lateral forced movement.
3. Sandbags or Tire Weights:- Fill at least four heavy-duty sand and gravel bags with soil/sand or repurpose old car tire weights to weigh down your above-ground trampoline frame. This mass helps resist uplift pressure caused by burdensome wind loads-connect custom-length straps securely around the weights and frame legs.
4. Staked Tie-Downs:- Hammer durable metal stakes at least 18 inches into the ground using mallets or sledgehammers. Ensure you situate stakes near each trampoline leg around the entire frame perimeter. Loop outdoor tie-down straps over the anchors and attach to frame legs via carabiners or strong knots like clove hitches. Crank down straps tight.

Additional Anti-Wind Reinforcements

Utilizing anchor kits or staked tie-downs to directly tether your trampoline frame to the ground are the surest methods to defeat wind forces. But complementing those measures, you can also implement these extra reinforcements:

• Install solid weather enclosure panels to replace part or all of the netting. Solid barriers foil winds much more successfully than mesh screens-or remove netting completely when heavy winds are forecasted.
• Weigh down the trampoline mat periphery with durable bags filled with sand/soil or concrete blocks. Heavier outer matting creates more wind resistance.
• Secure strong wind straps over the top of your above-ground trampoline from rim to rim in an X-pattern. This further strengthens the overall structure against extreme gusts during storms.
• Remove any trampoline ladder, as they behave like sails and leverage high lift forces in substantial winds.
• Consider spraying pliable latex coating on upper exterior netting cords to reduce mesh billowing that exacerbates wind uplift issues. Apply at least once a year.

Precautionary Measures

Of course, the best way to fully protect both trampoline and property is to proactively disassemble and store the trampoline if you know a severe storm or cyclone is approaching. But barring that, follow these additional cautionary guidelines regarding trampoline usage in occasionally gusty conditions:

• Check manufacturer wind speed safety ratings and do not allow use when real-time wind velocities on your property exceed maximum recommended levels.
• Temporarily prohibit trampoline access at the first sign of building winds, regardless of anchor countermeasures in place.
• Set strict time limits for trampoline jumping during mild but blustery weather – no more than 5-10 minutes at a stretch.
• Ensure any netting enclosures are fully closed while in use to prevent the tunnel effect of increasing windspeeds inside the structure, intensifying uplift forces.
• Watch for signs of anchor systems or tie-downs under duress and immediately terminate jumping before components fail. This may present as anchors/stakes loosening in soil, tethers appearing taut or over-stretched, weights shifting slowly across the lawn over time, etc. Please don’t wait for complete anchorage failure to stop us.

In addition to clueing into concerning sights, stay alert for sudden sounds indicating excess structural stress in windy environs, like creaking, groaning, snapping noises or flapping fabric. When in doubt, stop trampoline play at the earliest hint of questionable integrity or safety until conditions improve. Don’t take chances with your expensive investment and personal welfare when winds turn boisterous.

Special Considerations for Trampolines with Enclosures

Trampolines outfitted with surrounding net enclosures require extra precautions when winds whip up. Their extended height and large mesh surface area transform entire enclosures into essentially giant sails once gusts hit strong enough velocities. Even robust underlying frame anchors can eventually fail against such overwhelming wind resistance pressure targeting these lofty attachments.

Fortunately, several methods exist to help minimize wind impacts on trampoline enclosures:

Remove Netting

Taking down all enclosure netting entirely whenever heavy winds are forecast eliminates the ballooning sail effect during storms. Trampoline jumping is undoubtedly still possible without enclosures in place-just recognize risks increase without their fall protection and jump redirection functions. Alternatively, install solid weatherproof panels to block the wind while keeping jumpers safely contained.

Secure Top Hem

The uppermost hem cords on trampoline enclosure nets often fit loosely and flap violently in wind when not cinched tight. By installing resilient fasteners at intervals to reduce net billowing or spraying flexible sealant coating onto hem cords, you diminish the risk of the netting ripping free under duress. Reduce flapping to increase lifespan.

Reinforce Anchor Points

Check that the recommended quantity and strength of enclosure anchors are installed, such as specialty U-hook stakes for net pole stability. Because wind forces concentrate upward draft pressure on the elevated netting, regularly inspect these anchor points for signs of loosening or distressed materials. Refasten any stretched ties or connectors promptly.

Weigh Down Poles

Adding squat sandbags or molded concrete weights around the base of each enclosure net pole increases downward tension, counteracting lift forces from gusts. This also lowers pole height that winds can leverage for uplift. Just ensure weights drag no safety hazards onto the jumping mat.

Choose Wind-Resistant Fabrics

Trampoline enclosures are madee using interwoven ripstop fabrics with reinforced stitching fare better resisting normal wind stresses. But even ripstop mesh eventually succumbs if winds intensify too far. Confirm your exact netting components match your expected wind climate.

Install Solid Panels

The ultimate stabilization solution is to replace a portion of mesh netting with solid weather-resistant barrier panels. These may snap into vertical enclosure poles or custom-fit using specialty enclosure modification kits. Panels block the brunt of storm winds hitting the end-facing trampoline sides most vulnerable to gusts.

Divert/Block Wind

Consider seasonal wind directionality when situating your trampoline-with-enclosure during initial installation. Obstruct prevailing storm winds by positioning near shielding structures, fences and close-planted vegetation. For example, situate the trampoline lengthwise with most exposure facing east to west to minimize buffeting from common west and northwest winds.

The fact is trampoline enclosures exponentially increase the surface area for problematic wind forces to wreak havoc. So when blustery conditions blow in, stay vigilant. Enact common sense precautions like the preventative tips above to maintain enclosure integrity and jumping safety until the atmosphere settles down again.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ’s)

Conclusion

While pinging forecasts may show severe winds occasionally roaring across your area, that doesn’t mean your whole family can’t continue bouncing joyfully on your trampoline. By intelligently anchoring your trampoline down using reliable methods explained here, it will stay right where it belongs, providing hours of healthy entertainment.

Just don’t allow trampoline use in genuinely dangerous weather extremes. Respect mother nature’s fury during storms like hurricanes or tornadoes and wait for better conditions to get airborne again. But for ordinarily blustery days or transient gale warnings, follow these tips to outwit the wind. Employ two or more anchoring techniques concurrently to overpower gusts before they become problematic.

With minimal vigilance and smart preventative safeguards, your treasured trampoline can remain a stable backyard staple, keeping both kids and adults happily hopping regardless of the wind’s occasional huffing and puffing. The uplifting rewards are well worth these simple protective measures. So bounce on worry-free! If you like this article, please subscribe to our Blog and follow our Facebook page.