Buying based on Weight Capacity
Each manufacture has a weight limit on their spring and should not be exceeded. I willsay that some have a higher weight limit but only have a short warranty. This makes no sense to me. They use good springs with high initial tension but their frames are weak and others say their frame will hold up for many more years but you gotta change the springs regularly. So, its hard to go by the manufactures weight. I have even called different companies who use the same Permatron mat and each gave me a different weight capacity. If the weight capacities are inflated, as long as they will cover the warranty they are the ones that will have to pay for warranty claims in the end. But, most people don't exceed the weight limit anyway unless too many people are jumping on the mat but they usually have a shorter warranty to start with.
The way they know if someone exceeded the weight capacity when a customer is angry and wants to get their mat repaired is first to look at the stitching rips on the mat. If the mat is Permatron and is super stitched, when that is not a problem, they look at the over extension of the springs in relation to the mat stitching, then the frame joints to see if they are broken. It is extremely hard to get things fixed under warranty on cheaper trampolines that have short warranties when they say it was from normal wear and tear and you have to buy a new one or pay to get it fixed.
Reducing Risk
The heavy duty trampolines that have higher weight capacities help stop most of the complaints that I usually get. Getting long and wide diameter springs makes higher spring travel that will stop some of the problems caused by multiple jumpers. This spring characteristic is found on rectangular trampolines. Because the length of longer rectangular trampolines and that the primary springs provide most of the bounce, those bouncing at opposite ends can have little to know effect on one another. The closest example I can use is the bowling ball test on tempurpedic beds. Larger surface areas on trampolines also help as bouncing and dynamic changes in the springs and mat from multi users are more likely to be spread out.
PERMATRON, Permatron permatron:
Everone freakin wants Permatron. This mat material became the craze when it first came out and still is the leader in high end trampoline mat material. Now their are variations of it and different companies making it. Some knock offs are out but it is not the same as the best quality ones. I have had complaints about them not being Run Resistant like the mat should be.
The two finsihes to look out for in Permatron are the poroustype that lets more air flow in for higher bounce performance and the other type that is run though a calandaring (laminating process) machine that melts the Permatron fibers together making them super run resistant. If the mat gets a puncture or a burn hole, the fabric won't start ripping but will just be a weak spot that can be fixed. If the impact shock is too hard the permatron could start to split. Remember, it is run resistant, not run proof. Most of the older trampolines I've seen have burn holes that have been there at least 10 years and the trampoline still works fine. But the fear is that on the cheaper ones the rips or burn holes can weaken the mat so much that someone can go right though the mat and hit the ground. It is rare to hear someone bounce right though the mat but it does happen. Usually people replace their trampoline by that time.
Buying for Larger Sweet Spots:
A lot of people ask me which trampolines have the biggest sweet spot. It is not just about having it bigger but responsive when you need it and having too much tension if you don't need it. By knowing the spring type, I can usually tell how far the center is away from the primary springs around the mat. The bigger the sweet spot with the right tension can give the best balance especially for those that are competing. A larger sweet spot gives more control over the bounce and gives a more predictable bounce. It is also easier to bounce in the sweet spot which also gives the highest bounces when jumping in the dead center. Some trampolines sag too much and people jump near the edge because their is not enough tension in the sweet spot. On rectangle trampolines, where the sweet spot runs along the length in the center, the longer it is the better stunts and acrobats can be performed and more safely.
Shipping Concerns: CANADA
Shipping to the USA from Canada, for examples, costs about up to 200 more and involves customs paperwork and the buyer has to find their own broker for importing the trampoline. It isn't hard but has to get done and can be time consuming. Shipping usually costs about 80 to 150 within urban centers in Canada and if it goes to a residential area, its usually about 40 dollars more. There are also taxes that vary depending on the providence, federal and provincial tax, which is different in every providence. For shipments from Canada to the USA their is no taxes but the USA buyers get import duties after the products been imported.
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TRAMPOLINE BUYING CHECKLIST
ASK THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU CALL
Know the Gauge - 11 Gauge is best. 18 Gauge is the weakest. Ask thier Gauge!!! (Round ones don't need as much heavy gauge steel. A 13 to 14 gauge frame on a round is fine with me but not rectangle ones.
Piece Count - 8 Pieces is the best. 20 is the most I have seen. Cheap trampolines are usually closer to 18 gauge and have usually close to 20 pieces.
Spring hooks - Look for some type of corrogated rod that attaches to the frame or some type of zig zag formation rod that is welded into the frame.
Painting - I avoid sprya painted. I look for powder coated that is baked in and doesn't chip off like sprayed on paint.
Warranty - Make sure it has at least a 5 year warranty. Some have 10 year warranties and usually are the best. Rectangle trampolines should have closer to 10 years. A 5 year on a round model is great.
Springs - Make sure they are galvanized and are dual tapered on each end. Know the size of the mat ratio to spring. Just 1/2 an inch extra in spring length can make the mat feel saggy. Ask the manufacture how much their initial spring tension is reduced each year (stretching)
Avoid the Sun - This is the worst thing for the trampoline, more than heavy snow or rain. Get a good cover. Sun is the thing to avoid, especially in the summer.
Weight limits -Make sure its a true wegith limit. 300 lbs is the weight limit to look for. Some have a 175 weight limit on the import lable but the importers put 450. Sure, it can hold that much but the springs start losing its IT (initial tension and bottom out shortly. Then the joints in the frame start to bend, especially the 20 piece models. Know the real weight limit. I have seen two same trampolines. One store says 250 and another says 300. Makes me sick.
...because they all said they have the best quality and bounce
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