How to Move a Trampoline: Here Are 7 Options

Most trampolines are pretty big. Unless you have one of those small fitness trampolines, you’re probably wondering what the best way to move it is. Unlike a fitness trampoline, you can’t just pick up a big backyard trampoline and put it in a truck or trailer and be on your way. Large backyard trampolines are designed to sit in one spot after assembly. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some clever ways to move your trampoline. In fact, read on to discover 7 options for moving your trampoline. 

I’ll break this into two overall sections. The first will be for short distances and the second will be for long distances. 

How to Move a Trampoline a Short Distance

Short is a relative term. For the purposes of this article, I’ll define short as anywhere you can walk comfortably. For most people, this will mean moving the trampoline around their yard or moving it temporarily out of the way (say, to the front or side yard) for landscaping, construction, or any other reason you’d need to move your trampoline a short distance. 

1. Pick it Up and Move It

Yes, this one is pretty obvious, but many people aren’t sure whether they should pick up their trampoline once it has been installed. The truth is that the less you move your trampoline, the better off it will be. But chances are you’ll still have to move it at some point, even if it’s just to mow the lawn. 

So, there’s a right way and a wrong way to pick up and move your trampoline. The right way is to have enough people to distribute the weight evenly. This usually means four or more people. Moving it this way will keep the trampoline from bending as you move it, which can put undue stress on it and may even damage components. This will also ensure that you don’t injure yourself by trying to move the trampoline by yourself or with only one other person. Trampolines are heavy! Be careful!

2. Slide It

If picking it up doesn’t sound good to you, you can always slide the trampoline. Really, this only works if you have a lawn on which to slide the equipment. If there are any obstacles in the way, such as trees, bushes, or a change in the landscape, you won’t have much luck sliding it. 

However, if you do have grass and you’re just looking to slide it from one side of the lawn to the other, you’re in luck. Many people suggest spraying the legs (and the grass) with WD40, but this isn’t a great idea. WD40 can damage your lawn. It’s better to use a cooking oil, such as olive oil, to grease the legs up for an easy move. However, you may not even need to do this, as grass is pretty slick already, especially if it’s a little damp. 

Pulling is usually the best way to slide a trampoline if you’re by yourself. If you have another person, one of you can push and the other can pull to make things easier. 

3. Use Trampoline Wheels

Some trampoline manufacturers make wheels you can attach to the bottom of the legs of the trampoline, making moving easier. Some trampolines even come with wheels as an added accessory. However, if your trampoline doesn’t have wheels, or the manufacturer doesn’t offer them, you can always get a bit creative. 

You’ll have to do a little bit of measuring and weight-checking to ensure they’ll work, but wheels like these are available on Amazon for fairly cheap. You can attach them to one side, lift the opposite side, and push. Or you can place wheels on both sides and push if the trampoline is heavy. 

4. Rolling the Trampoline

Before I get into this one, a bit of a warning: Moving a trampoline like this is dangerous! I suggest you don’t choose this option. It’s also a good way to damage the trampoline.  

That said, this is a way you can move a trampoline. It will be much too difficult with anything but a round trampoline. But if you do have a round trampoline, you may be able to flip it on its side and then roll it to where it needs to be. You’ll have to look out for branches, power lines, and roof overhangs with this option. 

If there’s any sort of incline or decline you need to go up or down, the risk of having the trampoline roll away from you (or back onto you, if you’re pushing up a hill) is very real. So again, I suggest you don’t choose this option, as it can be very dangerous. 

But, like in the video above, it could be the best way to get the trampoline though a tight spot. Just don’t blame me if you damage yourself or your trampoline!

How to Move a Trampoline a Long Distance

Now comes the real challenge. Moving a trampoline across the yard isn’t rocket science. But moving a trampoline a long distance is approaching something that requires a lot of college — especially if you don’t want to take it apart. Okay, maybe it’s not that hard. It all depends on how you do it. 

5. Disassemble the Trampoline!

Again, this is the most obvious way. Unfortunately, this is also the way that most people don’t want to do it. It takes time and effort to take a trampoline apart, and it takes even more time and effort to put the thing back together at the new location! 

But that doesn’t change the fact that this is the safest way to move a trampoline by vehicle. Get your owner’s manual (or print one out from online, if you lost yours) and take the thing apart. Be sure to label everything and keep it all together so it’s easy to reassemble. 

If your trampoline mat is wearing down, this is also a great opportunity to get a new one.

6. Move By Trailer

You won’t be able to transport your trampoline by vehicle while keeping it on its legs. It’s just not going to happen. But it’s possible to get a flatbed trailer wide enough to put the trampoline on it sideways. However, there are some things to consider before you do this. First, you’ll need to determine how high the trampoline will sit on the trailer. This will give you your overhead clearance. Once you have that, you’ll need to make sure the trampoline will fit under any power lines, tree limbs, bridges, traffic lights, etc. 

Say, for example, you have a trampoline that’s 12-feet wide. You’ll need to determine the height of the trailer to determine the overall height of the load. You may need to check legal requirements in your area, as well. Some states have maximum height laws for cargo. If standing your trampoline on its side in a trailer is too tall, you’ll have to find another option. The last thing you want is to damage the trampoline, the trailer, and your vehicle by snagging the trampoline on something as you drive. 

If this is an option for you, make sure you strap the trampoline down tight from many different angles. If it’s not strapped down securely, you can bet that something will go very wrong. 

(Use this option at your own risk! And make sure to check the local laws to make sure you’re not breaking any.)

7. Move by Truck

Depending on the size of your trampoline, you may be able to move by truck without taking it entirely apart. Some smaller trampolines, when their legs have been removed, can fit diagonally into a moving truck, provided nothing else is in the way. If you’re only going a short distance, this could be a valid way to move the trampoline. However, if you’re going far, all the room the trampoline takes up could be prohibitive, meaning you’d be better off taking it apart. 

Some people have had success moving a trampoline by taking off the legs and strapping it to the side or the back of a moving truck. But before you do anything like that, know that it’s likely illegal and definitely unsafe. If you’re renting a truck, it’s almost certainly against their rental agreement to strap anything to the outside of the truck. 

The internet is packed full of videos of people trying (and failing) to move a trampoline without taking it apart by strapping it to the outside of trucks, on top of vehicles, or tilted sideways in the bed of a pickup truck. You can do a quick search to find ways not to move a trampoline. At best, you’ll make it to the new location with minimal damage to the trampoline and free from moving violations. At worst, you could injure yourself, your passengers, or another driver.   

At some point, the risk of transporting a trampoline in an unsafe manner far outweighs the reward of not having to take it apart. 

In Conclusion

Whether you’re moving your trampoline a short distance across the yard or a long distance across town, you’ve got some options. Some are definitely better than others. Since trampolines are heavy and ungainly, they can pose problems for moving. You’ll likely need some help, no matter which option you choose. Just keep everyone’s safety in mind and remember that, sometimes, the most time-consuming option is the best one.