Winterizing Your Trampoline: Can you leave a trampoline outside all winter?
Trampolines can provide nearly endless entertainment for kids in the spring, summer and fall months. But, what happens when temperatures start to plummet? Many people ask themselves, “Do I have to take down my trampoline in the winter?”
The answer to that question depends on several factors, including your climate and the instructions provided in your owner’s manual. Generally, high-quality trampolines can be left outside — and even used — in the winter.
However, it’s always a good idea to protect your investment, from both a safety and financial standpoint. Here are some ways to safeguard your trampoline from snow, sleet, and other unfavorable winter conditions:
How to Winterize Your Trampoline
If you’re concerned about your trampoline this winter, winterizing it is your easiest solution. This requires minimal storage, and only an hour or two of preparation.
1. Remove Any Padding or Netting
Padding is more common on traditional trampolines, helping to cover up the springs and frame. If you have a trampoline pad, consider taking it off before winter comes. This will prolong the life of the padding, protecting it from trapped snow and moisture.
Netting will degrade over time when exposed to the elements, even if it’s treated. Taking it down in the winterizing process will help to prevent fraying, discoloration and loss of integrity. As an added bonus, removing the netting will ensure that it doesn’t catch any high speed winds.
Usually it’s not necessary to take down any support rods for the netting, only the netting itself. It’s especially easy to perform this step on trampolines from Rainbow Play, as the netting enclosure simply zips to the jumping surface for added convenience.
2. Clear the Jumping Surface
Take some time to ensure the jumping surface is free from any dirt or debris. Since the trampoline will be out of commission for several months, any unwanted material will stay put until spring. Worse yet, this grime can mix with snow, sleet or other moisture over the course of the winter, potentially leading to stains, embedded materials or even degradation of the jumping surface.
3. Clean Off the Frame & Springs (If Applicable)
Although Rainbow Play trampolines are made with rust-free aluminum frames, many models are made with steel. Steel and other iron-containing metals must be maintained to prevent rust, so it’s important to make sure your frame is clean and rust-free. Brush off any dirt or leaves, which could be holding in harmful moisture.
If you’ve got a traditional trampoline, now is a great time to inspect the springs! Make sure the springs are free of any grim or obstructions. If necessary, clean them with soap and water. For extra protection against moisture and rust, you can apply a silicone-based lubricant to the springs, joints and hooks.
4. Consider Applying a Cover
Now that you’ve cleared your trampoline of dirt and debris, you’ll want to ensure everything stays clean. The best way to do this? Put on a high-quality trampoline cover.
Covers also make it easy to brush off excess snow, which can tax the springs or rods, depending on whether you have a traditional or springless model. Covers can also prevent snow and ice from getting onto the jumping surface, potentially causing problems from moisture and freeze/thaw cycles.
5. Anchor Down the Frame
Winter can be a blustery time, especially without leaves and other foliage to block the wind. Because trampolines have large, flat surfaces, they can be blown around or even lifted up by strong gusts of wind. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to get an anchor kit, firmly pinning your trampoline to the ground.
This is easiest to do before the ground freezes, so it’s best to start anchoring in late fall, if not year-round.
More Winterizing Tactics
Although it takes significantly more effort, some people choose to partially or fully disassemble their trampolines in preparation for winter. This process should still involve removing padding, netting and cleaning the trampoline, as noted in steps 1-3.
Partially Disassembling & Storing Your Trampoline
If you’re especially concerned about protecting your jumping surface and springs/rods from harsh winter elements, it’s possible to remove them. Removing springs is typically easier than removing rods, although both can be done. Once completed, this will free the jumping surface, which can be gently folded or rolled up.
Store the jumping surface and springs/rods with any padding or netting you’ve removed from the trampoline.
Fully Disassembling & Storing Your Trampoline
It’s also possible to go one step further: disassembling the trampoline frame. This isn’t a necessity under normal circumstances, but it does ensure your frame will be relieved of unfavorable winter weather conditions. If you choose to disassemble your frame, store it alongside your other trampoline components in a safe, dry place.
Enjoy Your Trampoline for Years to Come!
Now that you’ve learned how to winterize your trampoline, you can ensure it’s both safe and functional for years of fun, active play.
Interested in learning more about the safest, highest quality trampolines on the market? Explore 11 and 14 foot trampolines from Rainbow Play, made with aviation-quality aluminum rods instead of fiberglass rods or traditional metal springs.