Trampolines have tonnes of springs, so if your trampoline is missing one it isn’t a problem right?
I mean surely you can jump on a trampoline with a missing spring?
That is what we are here to look at today.
So let’s get down to business…
Can You Jump On A Trampoline With A Missing Spring?
You can jump on a trampoline with a missing spring, and many of us have probably done it without realizing, however, it is recommended to replace a missing spring as soon as you notice it. Ignoring a missing spring could result in damage to the mat and other springs and, at worst, the trampoline becoming totally unusable and needing to be replaced.
Trampoline Springs: What They Do
Depending upon the size of a trampoline, it can have anything from 40 to over 100 springs.
When you are jumping on a trampoline, you probably don’t give any thought to the job the springs are doing.
However, there is much more to it than them providing the elastic stretch for the mat to go down and come up.
The length and diameter of the springs play an important role in the safety and quality of every bounce on a trampoline.
Short springs cannot stretch as much, so you get a stiffer and more abrupt bounce, which can be particularly bad for your back and joints.
Also, springs with a larger diameter will have a better bounce as they allow for a more effective transfer of energy.
The best springs are usually 8 inches in length and upwards.
And the springs all work together to give the mat the elasticity it needs for happy bouncing.
Jumping On A Trampoline With A Missing Spring: Should You Do It?
Often you could spend a fair bit of time jumping on a trampoline with a missing/broken spring and not even realize it.
So that does to some extent answer the question of whether you can jump on a trampoline with a missing spring.
Yes you can. But should you? No, you shouldn’t.
Even though you might think, “Oh it is just one spring, it will be ok”, a solitary broken spring can have a knock-on effect, and create a number of other problems.
They are, in no particular order:
Problem #1: The Mat May Tear
When you buy a trampoline, the tension of the mat is perfectly distributed, with every spring taking an equal share.
When one spring is missing the distribution of that tension becomes slightly unbalanced.
With a missing spring, the mat is not being pulled tight equally, and there is more chance of it tearing, or the stitching around the edge tearing.
Then with one spring down there is another consequence for the other springs…
Problem #2: More Springs May Break
The other springs have to bear the brunt of the missing spring and have more work to do.
The ones that will feel the effect most are those springs right next to the missing spring.
They will be the most overstretched, wear out more quickly, and will most probably be the next springs to break.
If you aren’t careful, it can then start something of a domino effect.
Say the two springs on either side of the missing spring break, then all of a sudden the remaining springs are doing the work of THREE missing springs and are under even more tension.
The same weight will be pushed into the trampoline, but there are fewer springs to deal with it.
If left untreated, more and more springs will break and the trampoline will be dangerous and unusable.
Problem #3: The Frame May Warp
With the tension of the mat and the springs unbalanced, they may pull on particular parts of the frame more than others.
Depending upon the shape of the trampoline and the quality of the steel, this may result in the frame being pulled out of shape.
Circular frames are most prone to this, and can easily be warped into an oval shape, but any trampoline can suffer, particularly if it is made from lower-quality steel.
Once a frame begins to warp, then you are in trouble as you are unlikely to be able to get it back to its normal shape.
The end result will be it collapses completely.
Problem #4: You Won’t Bounce As Well
Taking into account the problems above (particularly #1 and #2), you quite simply won’t bounce as well on a trampoline that is missing a spring.
The tension of the mat is not properly distributed, and will not have its normal elasticity, and this is compounded by fewer springs not being able to propel you as high in the air.
Your trampoline will be less fun!
Problem #5: There Is A Dangerous Gap
If you don’t have a spring pad, there will be a wider gap around the edge of the trampoline where the missing spring should be.
You can almost guarantee that, out of the entire perimeter of the trampoline, a child playing on it will manage to gravitate to the area where a spring is missing.
If they somehow get their foot through this gap it can be dangerous and painful.
Replacing a Broken Spring
For all of these reasons above you really do want to replace a broken spring as soon as possible.
The best way to do this is to contact the manufacturer/dealer you got the trampoline from and tell them which trampoline you have.
They should be able to send out exact replacements, or at the very least tell you which springs you need to get.
You do not want a spring of a different size as it will likely lead to the problems mentioned above.
Alternatively, you can use a spring tool to remove a normal, undamaged, spring from your trampoline and either take it to a store to get a replacement or measure it up and order a replacement online yourself.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of potential risks associated with using a trampoline with a broken spring.
You might get away with it for a short while, but over a prolonged period of time, it is likely to be bad news for your trampoline and in particular the mat and the other springs.
The mat could tear, and the tension of the mat and the other springs will be affected.
Then more springs could break and, in a worst-case scenario, you might need to buy an entire new trampoline.
Then you will regret not paying the $15 for a replacement spring!