Replacement Trampoline Springs

Replacement Trampoline Springs

Trampoline Springs

Trampoline Springs

Trampoline springs may need replacing for a number of reasons, some may have been lost during Winter storage or they have broken or become damaged or stretched.  This blog aims to cover all the main points you will need to consider when buying new trampoline springs.

How many trampoline springs?

The trampoline spring is a key component in putting the “spring” in your garden trampoline.  It is a mistake to think “…. that the more springs the better”.  Too few springs and the trampoline bounce will be floppy and unexciting, too many springs and it will be hard work to get any bounce at all.  Generally speaking the larger the trampoline the more springs are required.  If some springs are missing or damaged it is important to replace them.

When to replace trampoline springs?

If some of your trampoline springs are missing it is important to replace them.  The quality of the bounce will be impaired without them and too much force will be applied to the remaining springs.  If a trampoline has been overloaded or misused, perhaps by using it without all the springs in place, then some springs may become stretched.  You can identify a spring that is streched as the gaps between the coils will be larger than on the other springs and the spring may not be under tension when nobody is on the trampoline.  It may be easier to see if a spring is stretched once it is removed from the trampoline as the coils, rather than closing up tightly together, will have gaps between them.  You can see this by holding the spring up to the light.  If light is visible between the coils then the spring is damaged and should be replaced.  If the trampoline mat appears to be slack then it is likely the springs have become stretched

If the springs are damaged in any way then they should be removed to avoid injury, and replaced.  Springs that are rusty can be left in place but should be monitored for weakness.

Spring Padding

The spring padding around a trampoline serves two purposes. Firstly it protects the bouncer, if they fall on the frame or the springs, from incurring an injury.  But secondly it also protects the springs from the rain and weather which might cause the springs to rust.  If your trampoline spring padding is damaged or missing it is highly recommended that you replace it for safety as well as good maintenance practice.

Removing and installing new trampoline springs

To remove a trampoline spring use a spring loading tool, which may have been supplied with your trampoline when new, or can be purchased from most trampoline suppliers.  If necessary use a screw driver as a bar by pushing it through the hook of the spring where it meets the trampoline frame and by pulling the spring hook towards you it will disengage from the trampoline frame.  Hold the screw driver with one hand on each side of the hook, and pull.

Installing a trampoline spring

Installing a trampoline spring

When installing a new spring first hook the end of the spring with the most enclosed hook (if there is one) or the end that is not elongated (if there is one) on to the D-ring of the trampoline mat.  Next, using the spring loading tool or metal rod of the screw driver, pull the hook on the opposite end of the spring to engage in the hole or slot on the trampoline frame.

If you are replacing all the springs on a trampoline it may be easier to remove each damaged spring and then install the new one in turn, rather then removing all the old springs at once and then installing all the new ones.

If you are installing all new springs on a trampoline where none of the original springs are in place, remember to attach springs at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions first then install the other springs by splitting the gaps, so 11 and 5 then 8 and 2 etc.  This method helps build the tension more evenly.  If you install the springs in a strictly clockwise order you will find the last ones very difficult to fit indeed.

Ordering new springs

How to measure a trampoline spring

How to measure a trampoline spring

To order new springs you need to know the length of the spring (measure in both metric and imperial) taken when  the spring is not under tension ie you MUST remove one or two springs from the trampoline to do this.  When the spring is fitted to the trampoline it is always under some tension so measuring it in situ will give an incorrect measurement.  Lay the spring(s) on a flat surface and measure the total length of the spring from the far end of one hook to the far end of the opposite hook.  If the spring coils are not tightly packed together when the spring is at rest then it may have become stretched and you will need to find an unstretched spring to measure instead.

The springs supplied to fit the Atlantic Trampolines will measure either 165 mm or 180mm.

Spring used for frame with slot hole

Spring used for frame with slot hole

You also need to know if the spring attaches to the frame in a hole or slot.  Where the spring attaches to the trampoline frame there will either be a round hole or a rectangular slot.  Where there is a round hole the spring needs to have an elongated hook at one end so the spring can attach to the hole without the spring coil touching the frame.  If the hole is in the form of a rectangular slot then the trampoline can accept springs either with or without the elongated hook.

Spring used for frame with round hole (note elongated hook end)

Spring used for frame with round hole (note elongated hook end)

If you are replacing all the springs then we suggest you count the number of holes in the frame and also the number of D-rings on the trampoline mat.  Both numbers should be the same.  If necessary use a piece of tape to mark the first hole you counted and then make sure you count all the rest but the first one only once!

Trampoline springs are available from a variety of suppliers but Atlantic Trampolines offer a range of high quality trampoline springs with free UK delivery.  The springs are galvanised and zinc plated for extra long life.

With cheap trampolines the manufacturer will economise both on the number and the quality of the springs they use which will mean a quality of the bounce is poor.

Squeaking Trampoline Springs

The left hand spring has an elongated hook end for attaching to a round hole in the frame.  The right hand spring is for a frame with a slot hole

The left hand spring has an elongated hook end for attaching to a round hole in the frame. The right hand spring is for a frame with a slot hole

A common complaint about some trampolines is that they squeak.  We recommend you apply some petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to the end of the spring where it meets the trampoline frame and, if necessary also to the spring where it meets the D-ring on the trampoline mat.  This should help to stop the trampoline springs squeaking.  Also make sure you have trampoline spring padding fitted.  This will help to protect the trampoline springs from rusting which may cause them to squeak and will also protect the petroleum jelly from being washed away by rain or coming into contact with those using the trampoline.  It will also act to muffle any residual squeaking noises.

And finally

If you have further questions about trampoline springs please submit a comment to this blog post and we will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.  If you need a fast response then we recommend you call our Trampo-line on 0800 032 5879 or +44 1646 62 2211 from outside the UK.

Click here to see Atlantic Trampolines full range of trampoline springs available with free UK next day delivery.

 

Author: Bob Bounce

This entry was posted in Trampoline Parts & Maintenance. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>