How to Move a Trampoline: Tips for Packing and Transportation

Table of Contents

• 1. What Are the Main Difficulties in Transporting a Trampoline?
• 2. What Equipment Is Needed to Move a Trampoline?
• 3. What Is the Best Way to Move a Trampoline?
• 4. How to Move a Trampoline Without Taking It Apart?
• 5. How to Disassemble a Trampoline for a Move?

 

Need tips for moving a trampoline? This post details how to move a trampoline, revealing different techniques to move a trampoline DIY.

Trampolines can be mad fun. They are a great way for the kids to unwind, and who knew? – keep fit too! But trampolines are not just a preserve for children. They are a nice way to let your inner child out without making a fool of yourself or looking goofy in front of everyone.

In fact, jumping on a trampoline is a form of cardio with numerous benefits. For instance, it can improve oxygen circulation in the body and boost your heart health too. It’s a fat-burning exercise that also improves agility and balance. Good low-key muscle builder too!

But it’s not all fun and games when it comes to moving a trampoline. Sure, moving a trampoline for kids or smaller adult models can be easy-peasy; you don’t even need to take them apart. But large and heavy adult trampolines – which form the basis of our discussion – can pose a bit of a challenge.

 

What Are the Main Difficulties in Transporting a Trampoline?

The main problem when moving a trampoline is that you cannot move a large trampoline such as a 20- or 23-footer by yourself. Which is not surprising really considering this is a piece of equipment built to withstand hundreds of pounds of weight bouncing on it for hours on end.

Dismantling it is always an option, but that’s not a task that will get your pulse racing in all honesty. Besides the reluctance that comes with taking a trampoline apart, the actual process of disassembling it is not as easy as shooting fish from a barrel. Assuming you know how to disassemble a trampoline in the first place.

But it’s in the reassembling where all the work is. Piecing the parts of a larger trampoline – from the jumping mat, to the frames, springs, poles, enclosure net, etc. – and trusting it to hold up, is not easy.

But it doesn’t mean it cannot be done.

 

What Equipment Is Needed to Move a Trampoline?

The equipment needed for trampoline moving depends on the method you want to use to transport it. We have discussed how to transport a trampoline without disassembling it in the next section.

If you plan to move the trampoline by stripping it apart, below is a list of the tools you will need to get the job done. We want to assume you have an idea of how to take apart a trampoline?

Gather the following tools and materials:

• Phillips head screwdriver or 10mm spanner for disassembling and assembling. You can opt for an electric drill for faster installation;
• Spring puller/spring tool to pull out the springs from your trampoline. Should be in the assembly kit if you purchased your trampoline brand new. If you don’t have one, use pliers, but not cutting pliers. A linesman, slip joint, or needle nose pliers should work just fine;
• Rubber mallet to reinforce springs during installation (also comes with the original package);
• Plastic baggie for putting the screws so you do not lose them;
• Safety gloves;
• Furniture blanket for wrapping individual components such as the frame legs, outer rings, and safety net poles to act as padding;
• Small box to put the detached springs;
• Large plastic bag for packing the net;
• Large cardboard box to hold your folded trampoline mat.

As far as the actual disassembling and reassembling of a trampoline go, basically you can get by with the first three tools. An extra pair of strong arms could be useful too!

 

What Is the Best Way to Move a Trampoline?

If you’re looking for the best way to move a trampoline, the answer is: it depends on the size of the trampoline, on the distance you want to move the trampoline, and if you plan to dismantle it or move the trampoline as-is.

In the case of the latter, you need a large truck if you plan to move a trampoline without disassembling. Or a trailer.

Small trampolines are easy to move, whether you’re shifting the trampoline around your backyard or ferrying it halfway across the country. You don’t need to disassemble them as that’s only creating a hassle you do not need. Unless, of course, you want to do it to save on space or avoid damage if you’re bunching it together with other belongings.

In the case of huge trampolines, the best way to move them is to take them apart. If you’re not the handy type, you might need to enlist some help such as hiring residential movers. Reason being that finding someone who knows how to take a trampoline apart to do it for you is not easy. Even if you manage to, who will help in the assembly when you get to the destination?

All that said, you also need to take distance into consideration. Short distances do not warrant moving a trampoline as individual components, regardless of size. Unless you have the expertise at hand.

For that, you need to know how to move a trampoline without disassembling it.

 

How to Move a Trampoline Without Taking It Apart?

Moving a trampoline without dismantling it calls for both brain and brawn.

The first thing you need to do when trampoline moving is to figure out a way to get it to the waiting vehicle (see strategies below). Your choice of technique to move trampoline should be largely informed by:

• size and weight of your trampoline;
• how much help you have;
• how far the waiting vehicle is packed;
• nature of the topography you’re operating in.

Once you have decided on the approach to move the trampoline, proceed to plan and clear your route to the waiting vehicle. From there, it’s all hands on deck.

 

For Short Distances:

1. Use trampoline wheels.

   Trampoline wheels make for the easiest way to move a trampoline from Point A to B. Some trampolines come with their set of wheels, but in the absence of some, you can always purchase them from online stores without spending a fortune. The wheels are available in different sizes and shapes depending on the trampoline, so something to keep in mind.

   The wheels are simply attached on the trampoline legs, the idea being to wheel the trampoline without having to lift it off the ground. So, go ahead and stick the trampoline wheels on the legs of your trampoline and then wheel it off to your desired spot. This is something you can do on your own or with the help of somebody else.

   Detach the wheels when you’re done.

2. Try rolling it to the vehicle.

   This method is most suited for moving a trampoline that is small enough such that you can easily tip it to its side and roll it.

   Round trampolines work best with this technique, although you might want to avoid moving larger trampolines this way.

3. Use the sliding method.

   This is another good technique for moving a trampoline a short distance or to the waiting vehicle. Unlike rolling, you can slide larger trampolines without the risk of damage or anyone getting hurt. Sliding is much like using wheels, only this time, there are no wheels getting attached to the legs (obviously!).

   In the place of wheels, simply apply some WD40 under the legs instead to allow for easier sliding. It needs no telling that sliding a trampoline works best on grass surfaces, which is why this is also the best method for moving a trampoline when you want to mow the lawn.

   You might need some help to lift the trampoline slightly in order to apply the lubricant.

4. Lifting manually.

   The fourth technique you can employ when moving a trampoline is to simply lift it off the ground and carry it manually to the waiting vehicle. Of course, the number of people needed will depend on the size of your trampoline: the bigger, the more muscle you’ll need.

   Scatter yourselves around the device, lift, and walk towards the point you want to take it.

 

For Long Distances:

The above trampoline moving methods are not only for moving a trampoline around your backyard. They are still the techniques you will use to carry the trampoline to the waiting vehicle.

If you want to move a large trampoline long-distance – which we assume is the case here since you’re probably moving in spring or taking the trampoline to a different location – the best way is to use either of these two methods:

1. Trailer.

   A trailer is a great way to transport a trampoline for long or short distances on the road without disassembling it.

   You only need a trailer that is of a similar width as your trampoline and ratchet straps to secure the trampoline where the nuts and bolts are located in order to keep it stable. Then drive slowly and carefully until you get to your destination;

2. Truck.

   The alternative for moving a trampoline on the road without disassembling it is to use a moving truck (you can always rent one from a mover near you). Don’t worry, you don’t have to put the trampoline inside the truck, which may not be feasible particularly with large round trampolines.

   Tie the trampoline on the back of the truck (outside of the truck), although you may need to remove a leg or two so you can fasten the trampoline securely.

These methods will likely need more than two people to avoid dropping the trampoline and damaging the frame.

 

How to Disassemble a Trampoline for a Move?

If you intend to move the trampoline as individual components, it is important that you know how to disassemble a trampoline.

If you have no idea how to take apart a trampoline, worry not. The steps involved are nothing like quantum physics:

1. Prepare the necessary tools – we went through the list of tools and materials you need to disassemble a trampoline earlier. We also mentioned that when it comes to the actual disassembly, you only need a Phillips head screwdriver (or 10mm spanner) and a spring puller. Some hand gloves too.
2. Take photos – if need be, take pictures of the assembled trampoline which might come in handy when piecing it back together.
3. Remove the safety net – how you remove the safety net on your trampoline will depend on its design. But the correct way should not involve any forcing. Once you’ve removed the net, fold it nicely and use a furniture blanket to pack the poles.
4. Remove the safety pad – the safety pad is the padding that covers the metal springs and circular frame of the trampoline on some devices. It is removable and can be detached by untying all the ties that join the pad to the base.
5. Take out the springs from your device – it’s important to remove the mat when moving a trampoline if you plan to move the trampoline by individual components. To do that, you will need to remove the springs first using the spring puller or pliers in its place if you don’t have the former. As long as it’s not a cutting pliers as mentioned earlier. This part requires some extra caution as it’s easy to injure oneself, more so if you’re dealing with rusty springs.
6. Fold your trampoline mat – lay your mat on the ground and fold it in half, then fold it again in half until you get a nice stack or such that the folded mat is able to fit into a large cardboard box, where you will pack it after folding.
7. Disassemble the trampoline frame – the last step before moving a trampoline is to take the frame apart. You might need some assistance here as doing it alone will take more effort. Start by removing the screws from the top of the poles, going round. Next, release the trampoline ring from the poles, standing next to the legs. Proceed to remove all the trampoline legs.
8. Pack the legs – put the legs together and use a thick furniture blanket to wrap them. Take apart the trampoline frame – do this by pulling apart the outer rings, then finish disassembling by gathering all the outer ring parts before wrapping them in a thick furniture blanket.

That’s how to disassemble a trampoline for moving.

 

Unless you’ve done it before, moving a trampoline can be daunting. If you’re not confident in your abilities or would rather avoid the headache, you can always call upon a professional moving crew to bail you out of the pickle.

But as the steps we’ve outlined indicate, it’s not the hardest task in the world either. With a little elbow grease and some extra pair of hands to assist, you can crack the puzzle.