First things first, if you’re getting ready to install a trampoline on sloped or uneven ground, you’re going to want to always measure how much slope is there so you can prepare the correct angle to begin. That angle is going to determine how deep the trench you’re digging is going to be to level out the slope.
Leveling blocks can be used, or you can cut the legs of the trampoline when the ground is uneven, not just sloped.
If your kids are crying to you about getting a trampoline and the only hang up you have is that the ground is uneven, or sloped, you’re not alone.
It’s not too complicated to install a trampoline on a slope, however it’s very important.
A trampoline on an angle or uneven ground can be dangerous, so to avoid any unnecessary danger, please read our guide on “how to install a trampoline on a slope” so your family can enjoy the never ending amazing fun of an outdoor trampoline in your own yard without too much effort on your part.
How Do You Level a Trampoline When You Have a Sloped Yard?
Before you install your trampoline on a slope, the first thing you need to do is measure the exact angle of the slope.
If math wasn’t your strong subject in high school or you can’t remember how to measure an angle, you’re not the only one!
Our trampoline leveling guide on sloped land will set you on the right path to installing your trampoline flat in no time at all!
So let’s go ahead and get started.
What Do I Use to Measure the Slope?
How steep the grade will depend on which method you can use to get the yard level.
You’ll need some wood planking (about the length of your trampoline), a two-foot level, and a measuring tape.
To have any consistent reference of level:
- First, place the trampoline on the location you have selected for the time being.
- It is very important this is the actual location you want to use so you don’t have to re-dig the trenches!
- Put the plank on top of the trampoline, parallel with the slope of the ground. This will create a nice, flat surface to set your level on before you take a measurement of the angle.
How Do I Measure the Slope?
If you’re new to using a carpenter’s level, don’t worry they are pretty easy to use.
Simply look for the bubble in the level and when it is in between the two solid lines, you are able to measure the distance from the surface of the downward-facing side of the plank and the top of the trampoline.
Do the following:
- Use your measuring tape for this step.
- Write this number down (it’s easiest to use inches).
- Then, using your measuring tape again, measure the diameter of the trampoline itself.
- The diameter is the distance from one side of the trampoline to the other.
- Now divide the diameter of the trampoline by the number you got for the angle.
What Does This Number Tell Me?
If your math gives you a number that is more than 7 then you will have to move your trampoline to another place.
As the angle is too big to be able to account for safely.
If your result is less than 7, you can move onto the next step!
Just be careful: Please remember to use the same measurement for the diameter of the trampoline and the measure of the angle (inches), otherwise your result will be wrong!
How Do I Fix the Angle?
The best way to handle this is to just dig a trench into the ground to follow the slope.
That depends on the ground type at your location. If you have dirt, sand or grass, then this would probably work just fine.
If you are installing your trampoline onto concrete, you will have to cut the trampoline legs down.
However, we don’t recommend putting a trampoline on concrete because there could be issues as it is dangerous, cutting the legs is a difficult process.
How Do I Dig a Trench?
Digging the trench is a breeze. Just take a shovel and dig holes where the legs will be positioned.
The holes need to be as deep as the angles of the trampoline you measured using the wood plank and level.
The holes must be dug on the higher side of the trampoline since they will drop the surface that the legs sit on to the same level the lower two are sitting at.
Once the holes have been completed and the trampoline has been secured, you can use the wood plank and level method again to check the angle.
If there is no angle, congrats, your trampoline is ready to go!
What Do I Do If the Ground Is Uneven Not Just Angled?
You can get leveling blocks if the ground is not level.
Then put the blocks under the legs on the lower ground until you get a level measurement using the wood plank and level technique.
Does the Angle Need to Be Perfectly Flat?
Nah. If you’ve dug your holes and the angle is only a little off, don’t stress.
Once your kids start bouncing on the trampoline, the legs will dig further into the ground until their flat.
If you’ve used leveling blocks, the angle should be very close to perfectly flat.
What If I Want to Cut the Legs of the Trampoline Instead of the Other Options?
You can always cut the legs if you like!
However, you should have a 100 percent feel for where you want the trampoline to be because once it’s cut, it can’t be moved anywhere else.
Depending on the quality of the trampoline you would likely need a good quality saw as the legs are most likely steel.
Try to avoid: We don’t suggest this option because you won’t
What Should the Area Around the Trampoline Site Look Like?
Before you set up your trampoline, you gotta make sure the land is totally cleared.
Branches, rocks, and leaves really make the area an unsafe zoned area.
Once you have chosen an ideal spot for your trampoline, you are going to wanna give it a wipe down or rake down to get as much debris as cleared as you can.
Get your kids to do a rogue rock scavenge at the site too just to make sure it’s as cleared and clean as possible.
Is Installing a Trampoline on a Sloped Yard Unsafe?
Installing a trampoline on a slope isn’t necessarily dangerous if you’ve considered the slope and managed the slope during the installation.
A trampoline on a slope is never a good idea.
Sloped trampolines can be just as dangerous for children to jump on as a trampoline that is unsecured.
Final Thoughts
So you typed in “how to install a trampoline on a slope,” and we hope you’ve got your answer here.
This is a really common question because very few trampoline owners have perfect level ground to work with.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t install your trampoline with total confidence that it is safe for your kids (and maybe even you!).
So, as a reminder, make sure you follow the steps to get the angle measured accurately.
Make sure you dig the trenches correctly and then make sure the angle is perfectly level before you permanently install the trampoline.
When you see that bubble perfectly between the two lines on the level, you can start jumping!