You’ve got a new trampoline, the frame is assembled, and you’re looking at dozens of trampoline springs waiting to be attached. But you can’t figure out how to use the trampoline spring tool. Or you have a trampoline with a missing spring, and the replacement spring has finally arrived. But as you go to put it on, you realize that the spring tool is missing or broken.
To use a trampoline spring tool, insert the spring’s hooked end in the D-ring of the trampoline mat. Put the other end into the hook of the tool. Now lean back, pulling the spring with you, and hook it in the frame slot. If you don’t have a spring tool, you can use a second spring or a screwdriver.
Let’s have a look at the details for how to use a spring puller to put a spring on a trampoline, and what to use instead if you don’t have a working spring puller to hand.
What Is A Trampoline Spring Tool?
A trampoline spring tool is used to help in putting the springs on a trampoline. It has a T-shape.
The top horizontal part of the T is held by your hand, with two fingers on either side of the vertical shaft of the T. The vertical part of the T has a hook on the end, which inserts into the end hook of the trampoline spring.
This allows the spring to be pulled and extended, without pinching your hand or fingers.
How To Put On Trampoline Springs Using a Tool?
The first springs are easy to put on a trampoline. There is no tension, and so it is easy to attach one end of the spring to the mat.
I’ve described this for putting springs on a round trampoline, but the principle is the same for rectangle and oval trampolines. It also works for trampolines of all sizes, including little 8’ trampolines, as well as grander 14’ trampolines.
Which order to put on trampoline springs?
Put the first spring on the trampoline at 12 o’clock.
Some springs don’t have ‘ends’ so it doesn’t matter which orientation you put the spring in. Just hook it on the trampoline mat first so that the hook opening is facing downwards.
Other springs are very different at one end to another. Put the rounder, more closed end onto the trampoline mat D-ring, and the more open end on the slot in the frame.
Then move around to 6 o’clock on the trampoline mat, and put the second spring on there. Then move to 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock sequentially, and put springs on there. You should now have 4 springs in place. You may not even need to use the spring tool just yet.
Go back to 12 o’clock on the mat, and put a spring on just to the right. As the mat is now being held flat, you should start to feel a small amount of tension as you put on the fifth spring. Just put on one spring here, then move to the right of the spring at 6 o’clock, then 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, in that order.
Repeat that process, starting up near 12 o’clock. This will keep the tension relatively low as you do the bulk of the springs.
How To Use A Trampoline Spring Tool?
At the beginning, you can probably put the springs on with just your hands. However, you will quickly notice the more springs that are on, the harder it is to get the strength to pull the springs on.
As it gets more difficult to put the springs on manually, it’s time to use the trampoline spring tool.
1. Put the closed end of the spring into the D-ring on the mat (or just any end of the spring if your springs don’t have any difference between the ends). and then use the spring tool to pull the spring back to the slot on the frame.
2. Attach the trampoline spring tool to the other end. Hold it at the top of the T-shape, with two fingers on either side of the shaft.
3. Use the hook on the shaft to grab the other end of the trampoline spring.
4. Once these feel securely hooked together, pull back the spring to extend it a little. You should then be able to insert the end of the spring into the frame eyelet or slot.
5. As the mat becomes tighter on the frame, you may need to exert more force to extend the spring sufficiently for it to reach the frame. You might try wrapping both hands around the top of the spring tool, doing a triceps curl-type exercise, or leaning backwards.
6. The final springs are generally the most difficult, but do them slowly, and you should be able to get through them. You can also leave the mat for a couple of hours, and then come back to it. Just don’t let the kids jump until all of the springs are attached.
Read here to see if you can jump on a trampoline with a missing spring.
Watchouts When Using A Trampoline Spring Tool?
As you use your trampoline spring tool, you want to be careful in a couple of places.
The most common danger is pinching your hands or fingers in the spring. As you pull the spring back to attach it to the frame, there is a risk that you will have your other hand around the extended spring to guide it into place.
As you put it on the frame, you’ll take the spring tool out. This will allow the spring to relax back into shape, and may catch your skin on your hands and fingers. This pinching can hurt a lot.
It’s a good idea to wear leather gloves whilst using a trampoline spring tool.
The second danger is that the spring might pop off whilst it is slightly stretched. It might fly up in the air.
Ideally, keep kids’ faces away from the trampoline near where you are attaching the springs. Use eye protection yourself, so that you don’t risk your sight for a trampoline.
How To Put On A Trampoline Spring When You Don’t Have A Tool
Five Alternatives To A Spring Tool That You’ll Have At Home
When you don’t have a trampoline spring tool, it’s really difficult to get enough force to pull the hook of the spring using just your hand. So you need to use something. Fortunately, we are inventive creatures, and know there is always a way.
I’ve given five common alternatives, but there may be even more if these don’t work for you.
1. Use a second spring
You can use a trampoline spring to pull a spring. The hook at the end is almost exquisitely designed to grab hold of another spring. Whilst hard to extend just one spring using your finger in the hook, it’s easy to extend two whilst holding on the shaft of both springs. Just be careful not to pinch your hands.
If you have the exact number of springs available for your trampoline, you may need one of the other alternatives listed below for the final spring.
I’ve included a video for you to see it in action.
2. Use A Loop Of Thin Strong Rope Or Clothes Line
Taking a couple of feet of rope or clothes line, make a loop. You can tie it off, but you don’t have to. Hook the loop of the rope in the end hook of the spring. Using your weight, pull back on the spring to extend it sufficiently. Then gently disengage the rope as you finish.
Clothes line is great as it is thin, yet strong with the wire inside it. If you use rope, make sure it is strong enough (Dyneema would be ideal), but also thin enough that you can disengage it at the end.
I’ve included a video for you to see it in action.
3. Use A Long Screwdriver
You can use the shaft of screwdriver to hook the spring and, whilst holding the screwdriver perpendicular to the hook, extend it. You can hold the screwdriver shaft with one hand on either side of the spring hook.
Insert the end of the hook into the frame slot.
Finally, slide the screwdriver carefully off the spring. You do want to be careful that you don’t hit your hands on this one, there can be quite a bit of pressure.
I’ve included a video for you to see it in action.
4. Caulking gun
The end of a caulking gun has a marvelous hook on it. Unlike a spring tool, you put both the spring and the hook of the caulking gun into the D-ring
I’ve included a video for you to see it in action.
5. Use long needle-nose pliers
I must admit, this is not my favorite. I’ve included it though, because I know some people love it. You need to grasp the flat of the spring hook tightly, and then extend this. You need to have fairly strong hands to do dozens of springs this way.
Be aware that it is easy to lose your grip, and watch the spring get flung around the area.
Where To Buy A Trampoline Spring Tool
Amazon is a great place to buy a trampoline spring tool. Click here to see the trampoline spring tools on offer.
If you’re in a state where you would typically take your trampoline down for the winter, it’s probably a good idea to get a good one. Look for
However, if you don’t expect to be working with trampoline springs every year, it’s probably ok to be pragmatic, and get something that seems very reasonable.
As with everything, you get what you pay for, so don’t get the cheapest one with poor reviews.
In Summary
A trampoline spring tool helps you get the springs on (and off) the trampoline with a minimum of fuss. Whilst a trampoline spring tool is excellent, there are alternatives that can also help.
