In this article, we’re going to give you step by step instructions for how to install a corkscrew anchor kit for your trampoline.
When you have a storm coming, you want to tie down and secure your trampoline well. This will stop it from taking off in the air, and doing damage to your property or the neighbor’s property.
Corkscrew anchors, sometimes known as augers, are the strongest and most effective way to tie your trampoline in place during high winds, storms and even hurricanes. Depending on the type of soil you have, they can tie down your trampoline in winds up to 100 mph. They don’t work in well sandy soil.
If you want to read more background, click here to see everything there is to know about securing your trampoline against high winds, storms and hurricanes.
Step 1 Decide Where To Put Your Trampoline
You may already have a good spot for your trampoline, but once you anchor your trampoline, you’re not going to want to move it again.
Select a spot that is behind a natural wind break if you have it. This might be a line of trees, a barn or your house. Don’t worry if your yard is completely flat, this is what your anchor kit is for.
Make sure there are no utility services underneath. You don’t want to put an anchor through your electrical or gas lines.
The soil shouldn’t be too sandy. Test it by inserting an anchor into the ground. If it pulls out easily (without twisting), it’s too sandy. These are designed to use the compactness of the soil or ground to help hold the anchor in place.
If you need help, check out this article “Where To Put A Trampoline In The Yard?”
Step 2 Layout Your Corkscrew Anchor Kit
Depending on which kit you have purchased, you will have between 3-6 corkscrews and tie down straps. Ensure that you have all of the materials in place before you get started.
This kit shown here has 3 corkscrew anchors.
Step 3 Insert The Anchors Into The Ground
This is where you install a corkscrew anchor kit for your trampoline.
Start to put the anchors into the ground. Put them on the inside of the trampoline leg, somewhere around the middle. Angle the point slightly in towards the center of the trampoline mat. The top loop of the anchor should be almost touching the leg, with the pointy end about an inch so slightly inwards.
The layout of the anchors depends on how many anchors you have, and how many legs of the trampoline. Your instructions should help decide which legs to anchor down.
If you have 4 anchors and 4 legs, it’s simple, you would anchor each leg.
If you have 3 anchors and 4 legs, you would anchor the legs that are on the sides the wind blows from. This would leave the leg in the lee of the wind without an anchor. This is ok, as you’re trying to hold the trampoline flat. The trampoline will only blow away when the trampoline tilts and the wind gets under the mat and pushes it like a sail.
If you have 4 anchors and 6 legs, do 2 adjacent legs, skip one, then do the next 2 adjacent legs and skip the final one.
Step 4 Secure The Tie Down Straps To The Top Of The Frame
Lift the safety pad of the trampoline, and loop the tie down strap over the top of the frame.
Thread one end of the tie down strap through the loop at the top of the anchor, then put it under the bottom of the trampoline leg.
Then put it through the buckle and draw it tight
It’s important to come over the top of the frame, and not just the bottom of the legs. The legs can come loose from the top of the frame if the bolts are old or loose.
And, keeping the top of the frame from tilting will stop the wind from getting under the mat, and the entire trampoline from being lifted by the wind.
Step 5 Repeat For The Other Anchors and Straps
You want each of the anchors to be securely attached to the trampoline with the tie down straps.
Gale force winds are around 43 mph, which exert up to 6 pounds per square foot if the trampoline is turned vertically on its side. It’s pretty significant.
If you have a 10’ trampoline, with standard springs, you’ve got around 58 square feet of trampoline mat.
Keep in mind that the anchors don’t need to be quite that strong. They need to be strong enough to stop the trampoline tilting up and allowing the wind to get underneath the mat. As long as they can do this, you should be fine.
So, give the entire trampoline a good push-pull, and see if you can lift it at all on any one side.
Our Recommendation For A Corkscrew Anchor Kit
Eurmax 4-Pc Pack Spiral Stakes Heavy Duty Anchor Kit for Trampoline
I love this anchor kit from Eurmax. The metal is steel, which means it is strong, and it is powder coated to protect it from corrosion.
Eurmax Spiral Stakes Anchor Kit (click here to read the reviews on Amazon)
But the ultimate reason I love it is because the anchor points on top lie flat when not connected to the strap. I can take the strap off, the anchor point falls down, and I can mow directly over it. No fiddling around with a trimmer or mower, worried about whether I’m going to cut the straps or damage the machine.
At 16”, it goes deep into the ground. Each one can withstand up to 125 lbs of straight up pull force, which is a lot of wind.
The tips of the corkscrew are pointed, making it easy to drive it into harder soils. If your soil is very hard, there is a hex nut on top of the anchor, making it easy to use a powerdrill to drive the shaft into the ground.
The straps are a good 7’ long, which means that you’ll want to tie them off neatly.
Watch These Instructions
These images have been used for educational purposes, and come from the video shown below.
In Summary
Corkscrew anchors are the best anchor kits for a trampoline in high winds, and will stay in the ground better than U-Shaped anchors or wind stakes. I do hope this has been useful for learning how to install a corkscrew anchor kit for your trampoline.
