How To Keep a Trampoline from Blowing Away

If fall is about to begin or if you live in a windy area, keeping your trampoline from blowing away is one of the most annoying chores you need to deal with. 

If you’re concerned about how to keep a trampoline from blowing away, the best thing you can do is secure it, store it, or put it in a more secure area.

How to Keep a Trampoline from Blowing Away?

Most trampolines are designed to be placed on surfaces without anything keeping them on the ground. 

One of the easiest ways to prevent it from blowing away is by securing it or weighing it down.

Some brands and models come with tie-down kits for this very purpose. It also prevents accidents such as the trampoline flipping over from too much spring force. 

This happens when someone jumps too high and the trampoline ends up bouncing along with you.

Why Trampolines Blow Away Easily?

Trampolines are made from light elastic mesh, canvas, and metal. Even if a trampoline is heavy, the surface area of the jumping pad is wide enough to catch wind that blows in a horizontal and upward direction.

Sometimes, a gust of wind can easily generate enough force to flip a trampoline over. Some trampolines that have tall meshes topple over because of the surface area of the nets as well. Smaller trampolines are likely to fly as far as possible in your yard. 

Let’s hope you’re not in a tornado zone and if you are, just follow the steps we outlined below.

How to Secure Your Trampoline (4 Easy Solutions)

Depending on what trampoline model you have, there are several options on how you can keep it from blowing away in windy or inclement weather. 

Here are some ways to secure your trampoline and keep it from blowing away:

Tie-Down Kits

There are different types of tie-down kits on the market designed for lawns and yards. It is best that you use one designed for your trampoline model.

The differences between tie-down kits are the designs of their spiral stakes, which are used to secure the hooks and lines to the ground.

They also have various types of lines that range in durability and sturdiness. Some are made with braided polyester, while others use elastic bands.

Tie-down kits are used for trampolines with legs instead of larger trampolines with steel frame legs. However, they can also be used for the latter if necessary.

How to Use a Tie-Down Kit

Follow the instructions provided when you buy a tie-down kit. Here, we’ll list what you are expected to do when using a tie-down kit for your trampoline.

Choose the area where you want to place your trampoline

Make sure the surface can hold on to the spiral stakes included in your tie-down kit. Place the trampoline on a hard grassy surface. 

Do not place it on soft ground. Test this by using a stake and pulling it with as much force as possible. If it gives, find a new spot.

Attach the lines around the trampoline frame evenly

This ensures that the trampoline is secured on all sides. Some lines are attached using carabiners, hooks, clasps, etc. Some are even tied down manually. If it’s the latter, make sure you are using a secure knot. 

Secure the stakes on the ground

Most stakes use a spiral design so you can screw it into the ground. Do this by placing the stake perpendicular to the ground at a 90-degree angles. 

Twist the stake until it reaches its limit which is the head or hook. If the stake stops twisting, use pliers or a wrench to twist it the rest of the way.

Trampoline Wind Stakes

Trampoline wind stakes are U-shaped metal stakes that are hammered into the ground to secure trampolines with steel frame legs. 

These are much easier to use, but be sure to choose the right size for the type of trampoline you have. 

The larger the trampoline, the larger the stakes. You may even need to add more than one set of stakes depending on the size of your trampoline.

How to Use Wind-Stakes

Measure your trampoline diameter or square footage

This will help you decide how many wind stakes you need before purchasing sets. Typically, you should have at least two large wind stakes per steel frame leg or three regular-sized wind stakes per frame.

Add the wind stakes even around the trampoline leg frames

Place the wind stakes on both ends of the leg frame and add another one in the middle if necessary.

Use a mallet to pound the stakes into the ground

Test the stakes by pulling the trampoline up. If it moves, try placing the stake in a firmer place on the ground.

Sand Bags

Sandbags can be used for trampolines with steel frame legs. They are easy to use and can easily be transferred. 

You can make your own or buy heavy-duty, weatherproof sandbags online. 

How to Use Sand Bags

Set the sandbags on top of the leg frames

Just place the sandbags on top of the bars touching the ground. Spread them to distribute the weights evenly.

Test the effectiveness of the sandbags by lifting the trampoline

 If the trampoline lifts or if the sandbags slide off, you need to add more.

Trampoline Leg Bolts

Use trampoline leg bolts only for trampolines on concrete surfaces and if you are willing to keep your trampoline in that place semi-permanently.

Some trampolines have built-in holes for bolts for this reason. Before attempting this, check to see if the concrete you’re attaching the trampoline to is strong enough. 

The surface must be stable, so it’s best to see if the concrete needs resurfacing or repaving. An unstable concrete surface will break apart when you try to drill screws in. 

How to Use Trampoline Bolts

Drill holes on the ground and/or on the bottom trampoline frame

If your trampoline doesn’t have holes for concrete bolts, you can drill them in. Use a drill bit for metal first. Replace it with concrete to drill a hole in the concrete.

Secure the bolts

Screw in the concrete bolt using a wrench, or use a drill head for screwing concrete bolts.

Test the bolts by lifting the trampoline

If the trampoline moves even a little bit, that means the bolts are not secure. Either repeat the process, tighten the bolts or move the trampoline to a different location.

When you’re happy with how you’ve secured your trampoline, you can rest knowing that it won’t blow away or flip over on a windy day if there are high winds in the area. 

Now, what should you do if you don’t plan on securing your trampoline?

Where to Move Your Trampoline When It’s Windy

The next best option to keep a trampoline from blowing away is to move it to an area that has little to no wind exposure. 

Buildings, fences, tree lines, and other high structures can block the wind, allowing you to place your trampoline in that area.

There is no assurance that your trampoline will not blow away if you move it to these areas, but it lessens the chances. 

These areas include:

• In between two structures
• In a corner against walls
• Between the house and a fence

If this doesn’t work, there is no other way around it. You’ll need to store your trampoline until you can get the items you need to secure it on the ground.

When to Store Your Trampoline

When all else fails, it may be time to store your trampoline until summer comes back or when you hear that the weather is favorable.

Really Bad Weather

A light rain shower won’t hurt a rust-proof trampoline, but a storm or a hurricane might. If the weather report shows that a storm will pass by, start packing up your trampoline. 

Don’t wait for the storm to be directly in the vicinity or else the trampoline won’t be the only thing flying away.

Fall Season

During fall, the winds may be stronger than usual and the weather forecaster can’t predict sudden gusts of winds that come with the season. In this case, you should store your trampoline and only take it out when the weather is clear.

Bonus: If You Live Near a High-speed Road

If your house is situated near a high-speed road, you must store your trampoline when not in use or move it away from the side of the house facing the road. 

The wind passing a fast car creates turbulence due to low pressure, creating a gust of wind at the end that affects anything by the side of the car including pedestrians, other vehicles, and your trampoline.

Conclusion

Try any of the methods and tips we mentioned here so you can always have a safe and fun time using your trampoline. 

Securing or storing your trampoline not only saves you money if you need to buy a new one, it also protects your property and the people around you.