How to Move a Trampoline

Step-by-Step: How to Move a Trampoline Without Taking It Apart

In general, this is not a recommended way to move a trampoline unless you're moving it just a few yards or onto another vehicle like a flatbed trailer. This method works best for short distances on level ground, but it isn't ideal for 15-foot models or moves involving tight gates and narrow paths.

The biggest risks here are frame warping, or the unit might catch a gust of wind, and it'll become a giant sail. Either way, moving a trampoline without disassembling it increases the chances of your trampoline getting damaged or you getting injured.

Step 1: Remove Ladders, Accessories, and Safety Net

Before you're ready to shift the base, clear off the extras like the entry ladder, any accessories like basketball hoops, and the safety netting. Taking this step prevents expensive mesh from tearing and ensures you don't raise the center of gravity while you're moving.

Step 2: Decide Whether to Move It Intact or Disassemble

Weigh the width of your trampoline against the path to its new home to work out if taking it apart is necessary. An 8-foot trampoline is usually manageable for a small crew to tilt and carry, but a 15-foot trampoline means you'll need to disassemble the trampoline for moving.

If you've got a clear, wide-open path and a trailer that fits the full diameter, keeping it intact saves hours of reassembly time. However, if you're navigating a standard 3-foot garden gate, you're going to have to take it apart.

Step 3: Gather Helpers and Tools

A standard backyard trampoline can weigh between 150 lbs and 300 lbs, so you're at risk of injury if you try moving it alone. Assemble a crew and grab these tools:

• Spring puller: It's a specialized hook that helps you remove or attach tension springs without pinching your fingers.
• Socket wrench: You'll need this to loosen the bolts holding the frame legs together.
• Ratchet straps: These secure the frame to a trailer or truck bed.
• Gloves: Heavy-duty work gloves help prevent you from cutting your hands on rust and sharp metal edges.
• Furniture dollies: You'll place these under the legs to roll the unit across flat pavement.
• Trampoline wheels: They're specialized attachments that allow one or two people to roll the unit like a cart.

Most moves take about 20 to 60 minutes, though it's dependent on your crew size and the tools you have on hand.

Guide to Trampoline Moving Timing

Step 4: Lift or Roll the Trampoline Safely

When you're ready to physically shift the unit, make sure everyone lifts with bent legs and activated core muscles to properly take care of their backs. If you don't have specialized wheels, sliding a heavy-duty tarp under the frame lets you pull it across the grass smoothly. For more tips on moving oversized items, take a look at our heavy furniture moving guide.

Step 5: Secure It for Transport

In order to move a trampoline safely, you'll need to make sure it's settled in the vehicle you're using to transport it. You'll need:

• Flatbed trucks or wide trailers: The best options for hauling the frame whole.
• Ratchet straps: Use at least four straps at opposite points to ensure it doesn't catch air on the highway.

If this feels like too much of a logistical puzzle, consider hiring labor-only movers through HireAHelper. They'll take care of all the loading and unloading for you, and they have the experience and know-how to secure something like a trampoline in the trailer or truck you're using.

How to Disassemble a Trampoline for Moving

Taking the unit apart is the safest way to make sure nothing warps or breaks while you're moving. While it'll take more time upfront, it makes the actual transport much easier because the parts will easily fit into a standard moving truck or van. It's the way to go if you're moving the trampoline someplace further than the same yard or if it's over 12 feet wide.

Step 1: Use a Spring Puller to Remove Springs

Start the teardown by removing the springs in a circular pattern so you don't create uneven tension. It's safer to use a spring puller than pliers, as it gives you the leverage needed to unhook the metal without it snapping back at you.

Step 2: Fold the Jumping Mat

Once the springs are off, lay the mat flat on a clean surface. Fold it into a neat square or roll it loosely so you don't leave permanent creases in the fabric. Next, store it in a heavy-duty plastic bin to keep it dry and ensure it isn't punctured by sharp frame pieces during the move.

Step 3: Separate the Frame Pieces

Pull the circular frame segments apart once they aren't under tension anymore. If the pieces are stuck, a quick tap with a rubber mallet should loosen them. Stack these curved poles together and secure them with stretch wrap so they won't get lost or clatter around in the truck.

Step 4: Bundle the Poles and Hardware

Gather all the nuts, bolts, and screws into a labeled freezer bag so you don't lose them. If possible, tape that bag directly to one of the large frame pieces so it doesn't get lost in a random moving box.

Step 5: Reassemble at the New Location

Reassembling your trampoline is just the disassembly process in reverse, but make sure the ground is perfectly level so it doesn't wobble before you start hooking the springs back in. When you've arrived at the new house, check for any local parking restrictions if you're using a large truck for the day.

Cost Comparison: Is It Better to Move a Trampoline Yourself or Hire Movers?

Choosing whether to move your trampoline or buy a new one comes down to the condition and the cost of labor. If it's several years old and showing rust, the cost of moving it might be higher than its actual value. In those cases, it's often better to look into junk removal or find a local place to throw away furniture so you can start fresh.

Trampoline Moving Method Cost Comparison

Common Challenges and Solutions

Not every trampoline or move is the perfect case, so you'll likely run into a few hurdles. Here are some of the most common problems that crop up when moving a trampoline, and how to solve them:

• Rusted bolts: If the frame won't budge, apply a penetrating oil like WD-40 and let it sit for 15 minutes before you try again. Don't try to force anything loose, either! You could strip threads or damage the trampoline in other ways.
• Lost springs: Always count your springs before and after the move and keep them together in a single container. However, if you do happen to lose one, you can easily buy replacements online. Look at the model number of your trampoline or the manual for it to find the right kind.
• Uneven ground: If the new yard isn't level, the frame's going to wobble. Use small pavers or dig shallow trenches so you're able to level the legs.

Common Mistakes When Moving a Trampoline

One of the most common pitfalls people fall into when moving a trampoline is dragging the metal frame across pavement. That grinds down the steel and weakens the structural integrity of the legs. Another frequent error is trying to transport the unit with the safety net still attached, since wind resistance at 60 mph isn't forgiving and will easily snap the support poles.

This is why disassembly, while time-consuming, is always the best option. Unless you're moving your trampoline next door at most, it's simply much easier and safer to move all of the individual parts.

If you're moving other big backyard items, you might also want to read up on how to move a hot tub or how to set up your home gym, so you're fully prepared.