Why Do My Trampoline Springs Keep Breaking

The springs can be considered the heart of the trampoline. You know the bounce that you are so fond of? Well, you can thank the springs for that. However, protecting the springs and getting a good lifespan out of them is the one thing that most new trampoline owners struggle with.

Wondering how you can keep the trampoline springs from breaking? Let’s look at the answers here.

Why Do My Trampoline Springs Keep Breaking?

A trampoline is a pretty simple yard toy when you think about it. It has an elastic jumping surface, a couple of springs to add tension, and a sturdy frame holding it all together. But if any one of these things fails or breaks, the entire trampoline becomes unusable.

Now, of all the elements that make a trampoline tick, the springs might be the most vulnerable ones. Too much pressure and it can snap clean off. If you have owned a trampoline for over a year, I’m sure you have gone through at least one set of springs by now.

check Best trampoline covers

As it turns out, there can be many reasons that contribute to springs breaking in a trampoline. Sure, sometimes you just end up with a bad batch of springs even if the trampoline is new, and there’s nothing you can do about it except contact the manufacturers for replacements. But most of the time, poor handling or maintenance are the main reasons for springs breaking.

In this article, I will explore the main reasons behind your trampoline’s springs breaking and help you figure out what you can do to prevent it.

Reasons Behind Trampoline Springs Breaking

Trampoline springs can be finicky. They can sometimes be extremely durable and stay strong against all odds. Sometimes even the slightest misstep can cause them to break.

So, let’s first look at the common reasons that can cause your trampoline’s springs to break.

1. Rust and Moisture Damage

The thing that plays the biggest role in messing up the springs in your trampoline is rust. And it makes sense, right? Trampoline springs are made of springs, and since it is an outdoor toy, rainwater can get easy access. Over time, the springs get rusty, and eventually, they break.

Most trampolines these days come with galvanized steel springs that somewhat counteract moisture damage. But as moisture builds up, the springs will start getting rusty sooner or later. And if you keep your trampoline outside all the time, the possibility of this happening is even greater.

Check Best trampoline sprinklers

2. Too Much Weight

While rust is a pretty common issue with most trampolines, especially if you are the hands-free type, it is not the only thing that contributes to the springs having a short lifespan. Sometimes it happens because of a simple thing like going over the weight capacity recommended by the manufacturer.

Here’s the thing – the weight limit on a trampoline is there for a reason. If you stay under the weight limit, then the trampoline would be working under safe parameters, which will be safe for both you and the trampoline. And that includes the springs.

Going over the weight limit can cause the springs to be under too much pressure, which can cause them to snap. And if one of them snaps due to weight, you can be sure that more will follow. Long story short – stay under the weight limit of the trampoline.

3. Uneven Pressure Distribution

Another thing that can negatively impact the lifespan of your trampoline’s spring is uneven pressure distribution. I’m sure you have noticed how the springs go around the trampoline in even spacing. This is to make sure that as you are jumping on the trampoline, the pressure is distributed across all of the springs evenly.

Now, a couple of things can cause the pressure distribution to become uneven. For one thing, a spring can be missing or broken inside your trampoline. But the more common culprit here is if you consistently jump on the edge of the trampoline instead of the center.

Check Zupapa vs Skywalker

I know it’s impossible to land dead center of the trampoline every time you jump, but if you insist on jumping on one specific side more, the springs on the other side will be under more stress than normal. This can also cause the springs on that side to break.

4. Ignoring a Missing Spring

Every single spring in your trampoline has a role to play. And if one breaks down, more will follow if you keep using it in that condition. Unfortunately, if a single spring breaks, you won’t notice much of a difference in the bounce unless you open up the spring cover and inspect each spring individually.

The thing is, when one spring breaks, even if you don’t notice it, the pressure from the springs becomes uneven. And if you keep using the trampoline with a broken spring, other healthy springs will start to break. I don’t think I need to explain how that can be a bad thing.

5. Messing With the Spring Configuration

Changing up the spring configuration is a pretty effective way to get more bounce out of your trampoline. When a trampoline ships from the factory, it usually comes with a “one spring, one hole” configuration. But some people switch to a “V” or “X” pattern configuration to get more bounce out of the trampoline.

While you do notice an improvement in bounciness, it also puts a lot more pressure on the springs causing them to wear out faster. So, if you have changed the spring configuration in your trampoline, this can be a reason why your springs keep breaking even after replacing them.

Check Why is my trampoline not bouncy

How to Prevent Trampoline Springs Breaking

Even if you are extremely careful with your trampoline springs, the sad reality is they will eventually wear out. It is inevitable, and once it happens, you need to replace it. You can, of course, replace them one at a time, but personally, I prefer replacing the entire set.

Now, there are certainly ways you can delay the inevitable. Here are a couple of tips to make sure your trampoline’s springs remain healthy as long as possible.

1. Using a rain cover

Using a rain cover is the best way to improve the overall lifespan of your trampoline. Although most trampolines these days come with galvanized steel springs, using a rain cover for the trampoline will prevent unnecessary exposure to moisture and will keep the coating in better condition.

In turn, the spring will work better, and you will not have to worry about rust any time soon. Since rain covers are pretty cheap, there is absolutely no reason not to get one if you have a trampoline sitting in the rain in your backyard.

2. Regular inspection

I know I’m sort of stating the obvious here, but you should do a regular inspection of your trampoline to make sure everything is working as it should. If the springs get too rusty, you will obviously need to replace them, and inspection will not solve anything here.

However, sometimes, you may notice the rust before it gets out of hand and use a bit of WD-40 and wipe it down to get rid of it. That way, you can get a few more months or even years of use out of them.

3. Staying under weight limit

Whenever you are buying a new trampoline, make sure you think long and hard about its weight limit. If springs break, you can always get new ones, and the same goes for most of the other parts of the trampoline, such as the enclosure or the jumping mat.

But one thing that you cannot change is the weight limit of the trampoline. Once you buy your trampoline, you will have to make sure you stay under the rated weight capacity so that the trampoline springs remain in peak conditions and your kids are not facing any unnecessary risks.

4. Keep factory spring configuration

Unless you have money saved up for a spare set of springs, I will hold off on changing the spring setup that your trampoline came with. Yes, you might see an improvement in bounce if you change the spring configuration, but you would also be taking a huge risk here.

Trust me – breaking your springs is the least of your worries if you change the spring configuration in your trampoline. If your kids are the ones using it most of the time, more bounce can also make the trampoline unsafe for them. So it is best to leave it the way it was when you bought it.

The Bottom Line

Even if you buy the best trampoline out there, there is no chance that the springs will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, they will break, and you will have to replace them.

However, now that you know why they break and how you can delay it, you should be able to get a pretty decent lifespan with your new set of springs. Good luck!