When searching the Internet, the prospective buyer of an in-ground trampoline should be aware that they will find three distinctive approaches offered as an “in-ground trampoline”. To assure that the buyer does not purchase a trampoline that is not suitable for his specific needs, he should be able to define what design approach they are considering.
3rd Generation In-Ground Design: Trampoline Anchored on Solid Ground above the Excavation
In this unique design, hollow galvanized stakes are driven into the ground taking the place of the trampoline legs, and the trampoline is positioned into these eight ground level stakes. This design eliminates the need for side retaining walls, considerably reduces the amount of soil to be excavated and removed, and has no structure of the trampoline underground subject to deterioration of the frame members by action with the soil. See “Trampolinesinground.com”, the North American distributor of Avyna Trampolines for the originator of this unique design.
Most of the high-quality in-ground trampolines sold in the United States today are of the 2nd and 3rd Generation designs. In-ground trampolines tend to be semi-permanent to permanent installations, therefore, useful life of the units should be a major concern. Because no frame parts are buried, the third generation Avyna is the only trampoline which carries a lifetime frame warranty. For those families where cost is a consideration, the cleaner design of the third generation in-ground trampolines with fewer parts makes both the trampoline less expensive to produce and the excavation and soil removal costs reduced cut in half or more.
2nd Generation In-Grounds: Imbedded Integrated Trampoline with Side Walls
Most of the better in-ground trampolines on the market today attempt to overcome the problems with this older approach by designing a trampoline tied into a retaining wall. Once the excavation is made to the proper depth and to the prescribed profile, the side wall is assembled, the trampoline is attached to the side wall frame, and soil is shoveled back into the excavation between the side wall and the original excavation perimeter. Then the trampoline parts are assembled like that of a standard trampoline. See” In-Ground Trampolines” and “Trampolines Down Under” or their major dealer, “Capital Play” for examples of this design.
1st Generation Approach: Put a Regular Trampoline in a Hole
What could be simpler than digging a round hole in the ground and dropping a standard, fully assembled above ground trampoline into it? Until the newer in-ground trampoline designs were developed, this was the old way families managed to have their trampoline “in-ground”. Those using this approach soon found several problems arose. These included the trampoline bouncing against the sides of the excavation, the vertical excavation sides sloughing off, and the legs rotting out when imbedded in wet soil at the bottom of the excavation. Depending on how tight the trampoline fit in the hole, the air flow generated by jumping could not be easily evacuated. Any quality of trampoline can be used. See “Super Jumper” on Wayfair for one of the few available examples still promoting this approach.