Why Is My Trampoline Bending? Fixes and Prevention Tips

A trampoline is quite a big investment and we certainly want to enjoy it for as long as possible. The problem is, that mistakes do happen before and after assembly which can lead to the trampoline frame getting bent.

So why is my trampoline bending?

The main reasons are down to poor quality trampolines, improper installation, exposure to weather, and wear and tear over time. There are steps you can take to prevent it from happening with regular maintenance as the main technique.

Before you decide to throw out your trampoline or hire a professional repairman, consider reading the rest of this article to find out if you can save it on your own!

Trampoline frames were not made to bend

Let’s begin by clearing up a common misconception.

Trampoline frames are not designed to bend.

The frames themselves are designed to be rigid and strong so that the trampoline can support normal usage.

When you see trampolines bending in place, it’s either because they have been overloaded or because they have been subjected to conditions such as:

• bad weather where it is blown off its spot
• wear and tear over a long period of usage
• incorrect installation
• purchase of a subpar trampoline

In most cases, you should never see your trampoline bending on its own with no outside force applied in any way.

This is certainly cause for concern, as it indicates that something is not right with the frame of the trampoline.

You will need to undergo an inspection of all the parts and components of your trampoline frame to figure out what has gone wrong.

Check the springs first

While your trampoline is not in use, it may look like the frame is bending. This might have nothing to do with the frame itself and everything to do with the springs.

Your trampoline’s springs are what give its bounce.

Springs on a trampoline are made of steel, so they’re capable of taking a lot of force without breaking—but they aren’t immune to damage!

If you’re seeing your frame bend while your trampoline sits unused, try looking at the springs and springs hooks.

Check for any missing or broken springs.

If any springs are missing, replace them with new ones!

And if any springs seem worn or damaged, don’t put off replacing them until it’s too late—broken or damaged springs pose a safety hazard for anyone using your trampoline!

Read this too: How to put a trampoline on unlevel ground?

Check for loose bolts and screws

• If you notice a bending trampoline, you should also check for loose bolts and screws in the frame.
• If there are any loose ones, tighten them using a wrench or screwdriver.
• If the bolts on your frame have rusted beyond repair, you will need to buy new bolts to replace them.

You can easily find replacement parts online or at most hardware stores.

If you are not comfortable performing this type of work yourself, you can always call a professional who has experience working with trampolines and their frames.

Solutions to common trampoline bend problems

As mentioned earlier, there are situations where you can prevent your trampoline from getting bent so easily. I’ll discuss them in the sections below.

• Excessive jumping
• Direct sunlight
• Cold temperatures
• Blown away by strong winds

Excessive Jumping

You’ve probably noticed your trampoline bending in the past few days or week and you have no idea why.

There are several factors that determine if your trampoline will bend or not. These include how many people are jumping on it at one time, their weight, age, jumping frequency, and the quality of your trampoline.

If there are too many people on the trampoline, it will start to bend more than normal as they can easily go over the weight limit, not forgetting the increased stress on the structure.

Make sure you know what the weight limits are of your trampoline and ensure that there is never a situation where it gets close to the limit.

Yes, being a bit overcautious is good at times.

Not allowing multiple jumpers on a trampoline at a time is also one of the top safety precautions you should take.

Direct Sunlight

Excessive heat from the sun can possibly damage your trampoline.

Excessive UV rays can make the trampoline frame brittle and cause it to bend.

When trampoline frames are heated and cooled, they expand and contract.

Over time, this can cause them to bend permanently if they are not properly cared for.

Direct sunlight may also discolor your trampoline’s jumping mat significantly over time, so you should consider covering it with a tarp or other protective cover when not in use.

Heavy Rain and Snow

Depending on how heavy the rain or snow is, it may also cause your trampoline to bend.

Water can pool in the middle of your trampoline causing the mat and frame to stretch downwards, adding unnecessary weight on the frames, which is made worse if it is not cleared immediately.

With excessive moisture, it may then cause the frame to rust and rust weakens the metal.

Although most trampolines are made with galvanized metal that doesn’t rust easily, the same might not be said for lower-quality trampolines.

I typically avoid brands that I am not familiar with.

Blown away by strong winds

Some might scoff at this statement but it is actually very real.

Lucky for you if you do not live in an area with frequent strong winds, but people who do will need to take extra measures to protect their trampolines.

The simplest way to do so is to either secure it with anchor or go for an in-ground trampoline.

Can you fix a bent trampoline?

Short of stating the obvious, almost anything can be repaired if the damage isn’t too severe.

With a little know-how and the correct tools, bent trampoline pipes may be easily bent back into form.

Furthermore, by adding extra pieces to the framework, we can improve its weak spots.

For instance, we could attach a metal pole to a section of the trampoline leg or we can replace smaller components like springs and screws with higher quality ones.

Here are 3 ways that you can use. Needless to say, if there are cracks or serious bends on it, you should not take things into your own hands!

Getting a replacement part

This is my number one recommended solution, but this method will require some patience and luck as you will need to wait for the parts to arrive, or in some cases, manufacturers may no longer have the parts you need.

Not exactly a surprise if your trampoline is a pretty old model.

I would highly recommend that you dismantle the entire trampoline (should be pretty easy to do if you still have your spring tool) and store it.

This will prevent further damage and also prevent unknowing people from using it.

Straighten the bent area by bending it back

Straightening a trampoline pole usually involves the trampoline legs, which support the trampoline’s entire bulk.

As the trampoline legs are small portions of a pole that connect to the frame, they are simple to fix.

You can use a sleeve tube, an adjustable spanner, or a squeezer tool to force it back into its original shape.

A sleeve tube is a device with a slightly larger girth tube that repairs a tube’s bent areas.

You can try to slide it to the point where it bends if the bend’s angle isn’t too steep. After that, a knock or two with a hammer should be more than sufficient to resolve the problem completely.

Tip: keep an eye out for cracks. If you see one, stop immediately and consider getting replacement parts or a new trampoline instead.

Weld parts together

Assuming you went with the option of trying to fix your own trampoline, you may also want to strengthen the frame with some reinforcements.

Welding is a building procedure that involves melting elements, usually metals, together and allowing them to cool, resulting in infusion.

It does not melt the base metal, unlike lower-temperature metal-joining procedures like soldering and brazing.

As a result, there’s no danger of the frame or pole being ruined or damaged. It will also improve the frame’s or poles’ long-term stability.

Additional tips on fixing your bent trampoline frame?

If you’ve been jumping on your trampoline and notice that the frame has become twisted or bent, it can be fixed. Here are some steps to take to try and fix the frame:

• Use a wrench to tighten all of the bolts on the frame. Sometimes, when things loosen up, they can appear bent or twisted when they’re actually not.
• If the legs of your trampoline are too long, use a hacksaw to cut them down.
• Paint the frame with a paintbrush using rust-resistant paint for an easy fix if it’s just got surface damage.
• Smooth out any rough spots on your trampoline’s bent frame with sandpaper.

Weatherproofing your trampoline to prevent damage

Homemade trampoline cover (that you can actually use):

Thanks to the internet, this is a fairly easy task.

All you really need is a few materials and some time.

First, get your hands on some heavy-duty material (canvas or duck cotton) that’s large enough to fit over your trampoline’s frame.

Then, cut holes in each corner of the fabric so that each of your trampoline legs will poke through one.

Next, tie a cord through the holes and around the trampoline legs so that the fabric stays put (use something strong and durable like a paracord or rope).

If you’re worried about the wind blowing off your homemade cover, add a few more holes along the sides of your material where it meets the ground and tie more cords around them as well.

Finally, if you’re feeling extra creative, add some decorations to personalize it further – think stencils with words like “Monster Trampoline” or “Anti-Gravity Zone,” or even pictures of things you like!

And lastly, if you want to ensure a long lasting cover, don’t forget about those grommets too! They’ll help keep everything together for years to come!

Basic trampoline maintenance tips

You can keep yourself and your trampoline safe by checking its condition on a regular basis.

For example, it should be free of debris, dry (unless it’s raining), well-padded with foam mats, and not bent or warped in any way.

1. Cleaning it regularly with soap and water. Wash down your trampoline at least once a month—more often in rainy or humid climates—to prevent corrosion and mold from forming on the frame or springs.
2. Inspect it regularly for signs of wear and tear. You should look over all areas of your trampoline every week for frayed or broken springs, tears in the mat or netting, or cracks in the frame. If you find any damage, contact us immediately so we can repair it for you.
3. Storing it properly when not in use. If you’d like to store your trampoline during inclement weather, there are two options: either remove the mat entirely, fold the frame carefully and place it indoors until the weather clears up; or purchase a custom-fit tarp to cover your trampoline and move it to shelter.
4. Make sure the trampoline is level. Even if it was level when you first set it up, over time the ground can shift and throw off your bounce.