Sinking a Trampoline Into the Ground

CAN YOU PUT A NORMAL TRAMPOLINE INTO THE GROUND?

If you love the look of an in-ground trampoline, you probably want to sink one into the ground. When you look at an in-ground tramp, it might look like it’s just an ordinary trampoline placed inside a hole. In reality, they go nearly underground. Ingrounds require an easy (and sometimes intimidating) to install pit-set style foundation. These aren’t the cheap trampolines you see in the news flopping and flying away 50 feet up in the air at 100mph during a windstorm or stormy weather. Thank us for that.

Before you go out and dig a big new hole in your yard, you should know the difference between above ground trampolines and in-ground trampolines. You should also know why it is a bad idea to put an above-ground trampoline inground. Of course, the obvious difference between an inground and above ground trampoline is that the bouncing surface is level and typically even with your lawn. If you have a lot of tree cover near your ideal big air bounce spot, an in-ground installation can provide you with plenty of airspace for fun without worry of injury.

Another difference is how in-ground trampolines are constructed. These specific types are designed without legs. This makes them much easier to install. Sure, you could hack the legs off a cheap tramp but then you compromise the frame. With a MaxAir inground, gone are the hours of leveling and having to adjust each leg to be plumb. Instead, a pit-set foundation is dug out quickly. A set of wood ties, 2 x 4s, or 8 x 6s, are set up as a retaining wall around the foundation of the hole. Once the retaining walls are backfilled, and the pit is lined with landscaping fabric, crushed stone is added for drainage. Once the foundation is set, an in-ground trampoline is ready to be installed in a matter of hours.

If you’re still wondering if you can sink a regular trampoline underground, the answer is a resounding NO–it’s incredibly dangerous and much too expensive. Technically, you could put a regular poly bed trampoline in, but it’s extremely unsafe and would ultimately cost a lot of money for very little satisfaction. Indeed, most trampolines are constructed of cheap frames, cheap springs, and are comprised of an all too easy to wear out material referred to as a poly bed. The cost to put one into the ground will easily surpass the cost of the trampoline as well as your patience.

Here’s Why It’s a Terrible, Bad, Awful, “No Good” Idea

  • It requires a lot of digging. In order to place a normal trampoline underground, you would need to dig a hole large enough to bury the legs of the trampoline. You can’t do this with a shovel over a two-day weekend.
  • The walls of the hole will weaken and the surrounding soil will erode and fall into the pit. This makes the trampoline frame itself unstable and unsafe, as well as the ground beneath. That’s asking for a sink hole.
  • Metal frames used in regular trampolines are not intended to be buried underground. Over time, moisture and rust will cause the frame to deteriorate and break. One does not want to tumble onto a broken trampoline.
  • The hole needed to sink a normal trampoline is deep and it must be supported with a retaining wall. Rain, moisture, even normal jumping will cause the hole to fill in, the frame to warp or shift slowly over a short period of time.

There are many really great reasons to have an in-ground trampoline. They look terrific when installed properly into your yard and blend in with your landscaping. Plus, because they are so low to the ground, they are much safer for your kids to jump on. Most inground tramps don’t require netting to produce that sense of safety. You can’t say that about a standard trampoline when buried into the yard.

If you have your heart set on an in-ground trampoline, it is best to buy one designed and made for in-ground use with proper engineering and materials. If you are searching for the best way to create an in-ground trampoline experience, look no further than MaxAir Trampolines. We make trampolines that are meant to be installed in the ground and give you the safest experience with the highest amount of joy possible LIKE. NOTHING. ELSE.

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