Trampoline spring replacement is a regular practice
Have you noticed that your trampoline just doesn’t have the bounce it used to? This is a common problem that all trampoline owners will encounter eventually. The most common cause of bounce loss is due to overstretching of the springs. When springs are stretched too far, they lose their memory and strength.
The problem of excessive spring stretch is relatively new to the trampoline industry. Until about 1999, nearly all trampoline manufacturers equipped full-size round trampolines, which are typically 14 feet in diameter with between 96 and 104 springs, with springs at least 8 inches long. Since the late 1990s, mass merchandisers such as WalMart have pressured sellers to produce cheaper trampolines. As a result of this push, manufacturers began to produce trampolines with less quantity and quality of springs. Typical mass commercial trampolines now have only 72 to 88 springs that are only 5.5 inches to 7 inches long. This spring configuration is especially prone to overstretching.
Industry experts have reported that customers with older trampolines (having 96 to 104 springs that are at least 8 inches long) buy only 5 springs or fewer when they replace their jumping mat. However, it is common for newer trampoline owners to purchase many more (or replace all) of the springs. Customers claim that the springs have been stretched too far.
For customers who discover this problem at the same time their jumping mat needs to be replaced, there is a free and easy opportunity to correct it. The manufacturers, who produce the trampoline mats, can adjust the size of their mat to fit their trampoline with longer, more durable springs. This produces a much better trampoline that will be cheaper to maintain over its lifetime.
By extending the length of the spring, it is safe to add an extra inch to the total measurement, including the hooks at each end. For example, if your current trampoline is equipped with 7-inch springs, it would be safe to increase them to 8 inches. Experts do not recommend adding more than 1 inch due to the increased risk of hitting the ground when jumping because the height of the trampoline was designed with the shorter length of the spring in mind.
If you choose to extend the length of your springs, you will need to order a new trampoline mat to maintain proper tension on all trampoline components. Please note that you will need to order the new mat based on the dimensions of your frame and not the dimensions of your mat. You will not need the same size as the original mat if you are changing the length of your springs.
If you are not sure if your trampoline springs need to be replaced, you can perform these two tests to make your decision. You will need to remove the springs from the trampoline so that they are in a relaxed state for both tests. Any spring that does not recoil when relaxed is considered overstretched and will need to be replaced. Sometimes the spring may seem to recoil when it is not installed on the trampoline, but the spring still needs to be replaced. To determine this, you must activate a spring in your fist, by grabbing the spring by one end. Shake the spring back and forth to see how tight it is. Trampoline designers recommend doing this with at least 10 springs that pass the first test, to see the variation in the amount of tension on the body of the springs. Loose springs must be replaced. The only limitation of this test is that it will be difficult to recognize particularly loose springs if all the springs are loose. If you are still not sure, we recommend that you contact a trampoline manufacturer.
New springs typically bounce better than old springs; however, if a spring passes the two tests mentioned above, the benefit of investing in new springs will be small and generally not practical. Rust on springs can become a problem over time, but rust is not usually a reason to replace springs. Rusty springs that pass the above tests can usually continue to be used.