As seasons turn from fair to foul, dark clouds loom. With them comes that old Northwind. Sweeping gusts over 30 mph are common in some regions, while others may see them only during severe weather. Wherever it is you live when strong winds blow they can cause problems. One issue a homeowner or renter does not want to deal with is an airborne trampoline. Blown out sliding glass doors, major siding damage, and trampolines at the bottom of swimming pools all may occur without preventive action. Knowing how to anchor a trampoline properly becomes important once you realize the enormity of the damage they’re capable of. All a trampoline needs is a little help from the wind.
Do I Need to Anchor My Trampoline?
The question you might be asking yourself is, “do I really need to worry about my trampoline blowing away?” The answer, in all honesty, is perhaps not. Flying trampolines are much more likely to lift off on properties that aren’t protected from the wind. If you live in a high wind area, it’s a no-brainer. You need effective trampoline anchors. But for those who don’t live in such places, how necessary are trampoline anchors?
Ask yourself this question. Is there protection from the wind in the area you plan on keeping your trampoline? Test it out, but not just on a breezy day. Get out there when the wind is really blowing and feel how strong it hits you. If it’s more than just a light wind, seriously consider trampoline anchors.
Like everything in science, there is a formula that explains how wind can pick a trampoline up off the ground. The problem is, there’s no way of knowing the numbers to plug in. Heavier trampolines are less likely to lift, but one strong gust will still do it. The heavier they are, the harder they fall. Even the best trampoline anchors can only hold down so much force. If there’s that much wind, you may have more pressing worries than your trampoline.
Best Trampoline Anchors & Kits
Skywalker Trampoline Wind Stakes – Best U Shape Anchors
Simple installation comes along with the 4 pack of stainless steel Skywalker trampoline anchors. These u-shaped wind stakes reach 2 inches across, which is wide enough to fit around most trampoline poles. Pick 4 points that are close to equal in distance apart, and hammer the stakes down on top of the base poles.
The stainless steel feature of Skywalker trampoline anchors is comforting. They won’t rust out in the ground unbeknownst to you. Though u shape anchors don’t grip the earth as well as augers, the 12.5 inch length of Skywalker stakes keep a strong hold.
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JumpSport Trampoline Anchor Kit – Best Auger Style Anchor Kit
Leaders in trampoline safety, JumpSport knows how to keep them from blowing away. If it’s quality you prefer, look no further than JumpSport’s trampoline anchor kit. A set of 4 heavy duty corkscrew augers with corresponding straps come with this kit. Like any set of trampoline anchors, it’s best to spread them around at equal distances.
JumpSport augers are strong steel with a protective laminate coating. Durability comes from the high quality straps, which tell the story about getting what you pay for. With auger type anchors, it won’t matter how strong they are if the straps fail. JumpSport auger straps use an adjustable quick buckle that holds the tension, and they stand up better than cheaper models.
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SkyBound HD Trampoline Anchor Kit – Best Value Auger Anchor Kit
A near replica of the JumpSport version, SkyBound offers an effective trampoline anchor kit for a better price. Durability may not be up to the same level as other brands, but there’s no questioning their performance. The SkyBound trampoline anchor kit comes with four 15 inch augers and tie down straps. Just like the JumpSport kit, they are compatible with any model trampoline.
SkyBound trampoline anchor kits use nylon straps that attach to the augers. The strap goes up and over the bar which makes the perimeter frame of the trampoline. It comes back down and attaches to the auger on the other side. Pull on the strap to tighten and the buckle will hold. Customer reviews praise SkyBound trampoline anchor kits for their effectiveness and their price. The choice in durability between SkyBound and JumpSport is apparent, but the decision in value isn’t as easy.
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Eurmax Trampolines Stakes Wind Stake
These Stainless-steel trampoline anchors by Eurmax are another great option to help you stake down your trampoline. You will get a set of four stakes that are guaranteed to withstand strong wind when staked in the dirt, sand, grass, and even rocky soil.
The job of a stake is to help hold the trampoline down in place during storms or strong wind. These galvanized steel stakes are super easy to install on any trampoline with a leg diameter of up to 2.8 inches. The angled legs make it easier for the stakes to do into the ground. Some trampolines may require more stakes to help hold it down especially larger trampolines. The price is more expensive than some other brands out on the market.
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Eurmax Trampoline Stakes Heavy Duty Trampoline Parts Corkscrew Shape Steel Stakes
Another product from the Eurmax company is the corkscrew shape steel stake anchors that can also be used to secure a trampoline. When you use a corkscrew stake, it goes deeper into the ground, which offers your trampoline more stability. These anchors will fit most round and rectangle trampolines. They come with a belt that will securely tie the trampoline down to the anchors.
You can actually have the choices of the steel being coated either with a silver coating or black coating. It’s always nice to have options. This product is the most affordable corkscrew stake down option. This is a very reliable stake as it keeps the trampoline on the ground where it is supposed to be even in big windy storms.
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Using A Trampoline Anchor Kit – The Best Way To Anchor A Trampoline
When you look at the practical methods people use to secure trampolines, they don’t usually work out so well. Take tie downs, for example. Unless you have something to tie off to on the ground, like anchors, the trampoline will still lift until the ropes come taught. This can put pressure on points of the trampoline unable to withstand the force. It’ll bounce around on those ropes till it breaks apart, then it’ll catch some air anyways. Unseemly ropes running across your yard is a temporary solution and one that doesn’t typically turn out too well.
Sandbags are another solution some use to secure their trampolines, though a temporary one at best. There are several drawbacks to sandbags. First off, they’re heavy. It takes hard work to fill and move them. Sandbags definitely don’t look attractive and they’re not real durable. Sun and time will wear the fabric and you’ll have to replace them.
The best way to anchor a trampoline is to use a trampoline anchor kit. Of course, you’ll want a dependable product, but you’ll do it once and not have to worry about it from that point on. Trampoline anchors are easy to install and come out easily with a bit of instruction.
How Do Trampoline Anchors Work? – Installation Methods
Trampoline anchors do assume that the unit sits on a dirt or grassy area. Most trampolines don’t sit over hard ground for safety reasons. Though nets help, they aren’t fool proof either. Nets also help catch the wind and create more surface area to help it lift the trampoline. Anchoring a trampoline on hard ground takes construction tools and a different kind of anchor completely, not the kind in this article’s conversation.
The most common trampoline anchors come in two forms; U shape or auger. Check out their descriptions below:
- U shape Trampoline Anchors – They look just like their name. U shape anchors are usually steel. They tap down with a carpenter’s hammer or small sledge, and fit around the base poles of your trampoline.
- Augers – They also go by corkscrew anchors. These types of trampoline anchors twist by hand like a corkscrew into a wine bottle. They come with straps that attach from the auger to the frame of the trampoline above.
U Shape VS Auger Trampoline Anchors
U shape anchors are the easiest to install. One does have to get underneath with a hammer and drive them down, but that’s all there is to it. To remove, hammer a screwdriver in between the anchor and trampoline post. It’ll work to pry it up. U shape anchors can go through tough clay that augers have trouble with. Their drawback is not having a grip in the soil, and they will pull out along with your trampoline with enough force.
Auger type anchors hold on to trampolines much better because of their design. The corkscrew takes a firm grip in the ground. A whole chunk of earth must come out in order to pull the auger up. If soil is hard and rocky or is clay, the auger can be difficult to screw down. You can, however, search for different spots in the ground because augers strap up to the frame. People who live in regions prone to strong winds prefer using both types of trampoline anchors for extra security.
How to Install U-Shaped Trampoline Anchors
The u-shape trampoline anchors are very straight forward on how it is ideally supposed to be set up. Place the stake above the foot of your trampoline. Use a hammer push down on the stake until it goes completely into the ground keeping the trampolines foot secure to the ground.
Some kits only give four stakes, which would typically be one for each leg of your trampoline. I recommend purchasing more and having either two or three stakes on each leg. This will, for sure no have your trampoline moving anywhere.
How to Install Augers or Corkscrew Trampoline Anchors
The big difference from setting up these anchors compared to the u-shape is that you have to twist these ones into the ground instead of hammering it down. This make take some time depending on how hard the ground is that you are trying to screw the anchors into
After you get them securely into the ground, its time to secure the straps that have come with your kit. The straps will connect to the trampoline’s legs. Again, I recommend purchasing more than one anchor per leg; this will ensure that your trampoline is secure. This method does seem to be stronger when holding down a trampoline, but it does take longer to set up
How to Secure Your Trampoline if a Hurricane is Coming
If you are going to be experiencing a hurricane in your area in the next few days, it is wise to begin prepping your trampoline for it. You don’t want the trampoline flying away, destroying your home, or worse destroying a neighbor’s home. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Detach the safety net of your trampoline and bring it inside your home until the storm has passed. Nets can get terribly destroyed during a big storm like a hurricane if left outside.
- If you can remove the jumping mat from your trampoline, then I suggest doing this. If it seems too complicated or not possible, you can leave it and hope for the best.
- Make sure the legs of the trampoline are secure. Make sure all of your stakes are in place and pound on them more with a hammer; that way, you know they are in the ground firmly.
- If you have extra anchors, now would be the time to add them to your trampoline. This will help keep the trampoline super secure.
- Lastly, if you would like, you could add extra weight to keep your trampoline down from flying away. An example of some extra protection would be some sandbags. Sandbags can be tied onto the legs of the trampoline. Sand also helps absorb water.
Final Thoughts On Anchoring Your Trampoline
The consensus is that if you live in a high wind area, don’t mess around. Make the decision to anchor your trampoline! Next comes the question of how to anchor a trampoline, and which trampoline anchors to use. Go with the u-shaped model, the auger & strap style, or both? The three reviews of trampoline anchor kits above show incredibly effective products. The most security you can have is to use both kinds. Other than that, it’s just a question of value, budget, and how long you expect them to last.