Buying replacement parts for a trampoline
If your trampoline looks like this then it's time to consider buying some replacement parts.
This might sound like a very dull topic, but as there are an estimated 2.7 million trampolines in Britain, there are a lot of parents who might appreciate some guidance.
Trampolines can be dangerous if they are not properly maintained. Just as you will check the brakes on your child’s bike you really should take care that your trampoline is in good condition.
The key areas to consider:
The Netting
Of all areas of a trampoline, this is the part that most often fails, but for obvious reasons is the most vital safety element. The netting can come apart if it is cut or ripped but it can also just rot and fall apart. Good quality netting will last 5-10 years, so when ordering replacement netting, spend as much as you can. The higher the price the netting, the longer it will last
It’s very like buying cheap tyres for a car- the headline price is great news but the fact that you have to replace them twice as often as a recognised brand name is overlooked. Look for polyester netting it is far more durable than nylon.
The padding over the frame and springs
How often you replace this is influenced by one key consideration. Does your enclosure netting hang inside or outside the padding? If the netting hangs outside the padding, there is not such a need for the padding to be in top condition, as the netting will stop the user from coming in to contact with the frame or springs ( the whole reason that trampolines has surround pads).
If the netting hangs outside the padding, as it did on most models made prior to 2009, the padding needs to be in good condition. If the pads have fallen apart, they will not provide protection should the jumper fall on to the springs or frame.
As with replacement netting, the more you spend on padding the longer it will last. As long as the pads are a decent thickness of 20mm+ they will have plenty of cushioning property but ensure that the outer covering material is thick too- circa 0.55m. If it’s a thin material such as PE it will crack in direct sunlight, ideally look for good thick PVC pads
The Jump Mat
The good news is that 99% of jump mast are made of polypropylene and as such are indestructible. They should last 10 years at least before they perish. That said if they get a cut or slit in them, they will need replacing – putting a foot through a jump mat and hitting the ground can seriously injure the user. Before you ask, we do not repair jump mats, no manufacture has come up with a repair kit!
More good news – if your mat gets a hole in it from a cigarette or ember from a bonfire, do not panic as the cross-weave nature of a jump mat is such that the hole should not get any larger.
The Frame
The frame should never need replacing. As long as you have not bought a dud, most frames are made of fully galvanised steel so will not rust or crack.
Check the frame on a weekly basis. It is under tension so if there is a fault in the steel you do not want to have the frame collapse on you.
The Springs
Springs do break. Either the spring are not man enough for the job ( they do vary in quality) or the trampoline weight limit has been exceeded. A bit of surface rust is not a problem and if you are only missing a couple of springs, the quality of the bounce and safety should not be compromised in the short term. But if you are missing quite a few springs, the bounce will not be as good as it should be but more importantly you are not spreading the load correctly across the remaining springs. There is an obvious safety issue and in time the rest of the springs will fail too.
A full range of trampoline spares can be viewed here.
