Do Trampolines Need to Be Anchored?

There is no taming mother nature for us humans, at least not just yet. Sure, we get tornado or hurricane warnings way ahead of time these days, but it can also be unpredictable sometimes. And if it hits when you are not prepared, then you are in for a lot of trouble.

If you have a trampoline in your backyard, wind can be a deadly foe. There are literally thousands of videos online where a strong gust of wind blows a trampoline away. However, if you anchor it to the ground, you do not need to worry about this happening with your trampoline. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Do Trampolines Need to Be Anchored

Getting a trampoline for your backyard might be the best investment of your life. Not only does it make your lawn look pretty, it also provides hours of fun and entertainment for the kids. And when they are not using it, you can also sneak in a couple of jumps every now and then to relieve some of the stress of your adult life.

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Now, the thing with trampolines is that while they are quite durable, and some models are pretty heavy, wind can easily move them off position. The trampoline mat is the main culprit here, and it can easily catch the wind which can cause it to fly off if the wind is strong enough.

However, there is an easy fix for it. Simply anchor your trampoline to the ground. You can find many trampolines anchoring kits whose sole purpose is to make sure your trampoline remains tethered to a fixed spot. And not only is it a good idea to get it for the wind, it also makes your trampoline a lot more stable while jumping.

I will delve into this topic further exploring why trampoline anchors are an important investment and how you can set it up with your trampoline.

Importance of Trampoline Anchors

Trampoline anchors might not seem like a must-have accessory, especially if you do not live in a windy area, but it is a worthwhile investment for just about anyone. Storms can get unpredictable, and if you keep a trampoline outside in your backyard, you want to make sure it stays there when the storm passes.

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I have seen and heard of countless cases where a trampoline got blown away by a strong wind. And a trampoline hurling through the air can damage others’ properties for which you would be held accountable. Even if you do not care much for your neighbor’s properties, think of the damage it would cause if it were to hit a power line or a running vehicle.

Besides, even if you manage to recover your trampoline, there is a good chance that it will not be in one piece. The frame might get all bent out of shape, and the trampoline mat might have a big hole in it, making it completely unusable, to say the least.

All this could be avoided if you just invest in a nice set of anchors to hold your trampoline firmly in place. Besides, it also improves the stability of the trampoline and ensures that it does not topple over when someone is bouncing on the jumping mat.

In addition, a trampoline mat also makes it burglary-proof. Now you might be thinking, what kind of thief runs off with a trampoline? Well, if you keep your trampoline out in the backyard, you would be surprised how unsafe it is without properly anchoring it to the ground.

Do Trampolines Come with Anchors

I hope you understand by now how important it is to tie down your trampoline and secure it to the ground when you set it up in your backyard. To me, it is always a crucial step to assembling a trampoline, and I get to it before even putting up the safety nets.

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With some trampolines, the manufacturers will give you a tie-down or anchoring kit that suits that specific model. However, this is quite rare, and in most cases, you would have to invest in an aftermarket trampoline kit. Don’t worry; they are pretty affordable, and trampoline anchors are also universal by design.

Types of Trampoline Anchors

If your trampoline manufacturer did not provide a set of anchors to tie it down, you would have to get an anchoring kit from the market. And as it turns out, there are a couple of different types to choose from.

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But when you look closely, you would have to make a choice between one of two designs. You can either go with a U-shaped ground stake or an auger-style stake. Springfree trampolines require a separate type of anchor that is exclusive to the brand. So, if you have a Springfree trampoline at home, you should look into that.

Alternatively, you can go with sandbags, but I will discuss more on that later. What you need to know for now is that you most likely have to go with a U-shaped anchor or an auger-style anchor.

How Do You Anchor a Trampoline to the Ground?

Anchoring a trampoline to the ground securely is neither hard nor time-consuming. So, there really isn’t any excuse for not getting it. Besides, these kits are also quite affordable, but the value they provide is immense. As I have already said, there are two types of ground stakes that you can find for most trampolines.

While the installation steps are pretty similar, there are a few differences between them. So, for the sake of clarity, I will split up my installation instructions into two sections and cover both designs so that you can have an easy time setting everything up.

But as a rule of thumb, always start with reading the instruction manual thoroughly. That way, if your anchoring kit requires any special steps, you will not be caught off guard. So, here are the steps to anchoring a trampoline to the ground.

How to Anchor a Trampoline: U-Shaped Stakes

U-shaped anchoring stakes for a trampoline are quite easy to set up, but they are not as secure as auger-style stakes. On the plus side, though, they are much cheaper, so you can get an extra set to add a bit of extra security when you are setting them up. And since installation is so easy, you will be done with it in no time.

Here are the steps to installing U-shaped ground stakes to anchor your trampoline to the ground.

Step – 1

Start by positioning the stake in the middle of the legs if you are planning to attach one stake per leg. However, if you can spare two stakes for each leg, you want to place them on the two ends of the legs so that the distance between them and the vertical legs of the trampoline is even.

Step – 2

Take a hammer or a mallet and gently strike the stakes into the ground. Make sure that the leg is braced tightly to the ground with the stake.

Step – 3

Repeat the step for the rest of the legs while moving in a cross pattern around the trampoline.

To remove the stakes, you need to use a crowbar or something to leverage the pin off the ground. While it is quite easy to install and take out, it is not as secure as auger-style stakes. Still, for the price, they offer a decent level of protection for your trampoline against strong gusts of wind.

How to Anchor a Trampoline: Auger-Style Stakes

Auger-style anchoring kits are generally considered more secure compared to U-shaped stakes. When you buy a kit, you should get at least four augers and four straps, which with most round backyard trampolines should be enough. However, if you have a larger trampoline or a rectangular model, it might be a good idea to get an extra set.

Here are the steps to anchoring a trampoline with auger stakes

Step – 1

Start by placing the tip of the auger on the ground. Its position should be around six to ten inches from the middle of one of the legs in the direction of the trampoline’s center.

Step – 2

To secure the auger to the ground, twist the top of the auger until only the loop is visible. If your trampoline is in your backyard, you should be able to do it by hand. But if the soil is too hard, wetting it might make things easier.

Step – 3

Loop the included strap through the bottom of the metal frame securely.

Step – 4

Attach the other end of the strap to the top of the auger’s loop. Make sure the strap is pulled tight by adjusting its length. For information on how to do that, refer to the instruction manual.

Step – 5

Repeat the same steps for the rest of the trampoline’s legs.

If you want to move the trampoline around without removing the anchors, you can simply unfasten the straps. The good thing about this trampoline anchor is that while it provides excellent security, you always have the option to remove it. In fact, you can even unscrew the augers if you want to reposition your trampoline.

Can You Use Sandbags to Anchor a Trampoline to the Ground?

If you have a couple of sandbags lying around in your toolshed, it can act as a makeshift trampoline anchor. It won’t be perfect, but it will be able to get the job done in a pinch. Still, I would recommend investing in a set of quality trampoline anchors as they provide the most security for your trampoline.

To use sandbags as trampoline, you need at least double the number of legs in your frame. This means if your trampoline has four legs, you want to use at least eight sandbags, two for each leg. Make sure there is no wobbling in the trampoline after you saddle it down with the sandbags.

The advantage of using sandbags as anchors is that you can take it off a lot easier than a trampoline anchor that you hammered to the ground. So, if you plan on moving your trampoline around the backyard often to mow the grass underneath and whatnot, using sandbags as anchors can be a good idea.

However, keep in mind that they will not be as secure as an anchor designed specifically to hold down a trampoline. And if you want to prevent theft, sandbags might not be a good choice. Trampoline anchors would be the only thing capable of doing that.

If you want the best security for your trampoline, though, I would advise combining both auger-style and u-shaped stakes together when anchoring your trampoline. This would give you the most protection against sudden gusts of wind.

Furthermore, setting up a fence around your trampoline around a fence or trees can help cut down the effect of wind. While you still need a decent bit of clearance around your trampoline, putting it in a smart location will keep it secured when you want to prevent it from flying off during a storm.

With All That Said

Setting up a trampoline is hard enough as it is, which is why I can understand why some would not want a few additional steps to go through when assembling it. But the truth is, if you just take the time to securely anchor your trampoline to the ground, it will be much safer for both the trampoline and yourself.

So, as tempting as it may be to skip over this step, I would strongly advise against it. It only takes a couple of minutes, and when you are done, you can enjoy your trampoline without worrying about it getting blown away by a storm.

Hopefully, I could help you understand the importance of anchoring your trampoline to the ground. Good luck!