First of all, yes i am aware fo the hazards of a trampoline. I am also aware of the hazards of life in general, BUT we want to have fun and get some exercise! We need to combate our daughters weight gain and we have a huge shop that is perfect for a trampoline (with enclosure of course).
Anyway, I am looking at these two trampolines (both from Walmart):
Skywalker 12' Round Trampoline & Safety Enclosure Combo ($239.00)
Orbounder 14' Trampoline and Enclosure ($265.00)
The Orbounder is bigger but also a little more money, and it kind of doesn't look as sturdy (has less legs), both have good reviews at walmart.com...
Any thoughts, concerns, reviews?
This is my absolute favorite trampoline site (they test them and do fun/saftey ratings) http://www.trampolinesafety.com/Trampoline-Ratings
We're saving up for the one we really, really want (and keeping an eye on craigslist... it was on once this spring so far, but we were short $).
Orbounder isn't on there (that I saw, taking a glance) but skywalker has very bad safety/performance reviews.
I would go with the 14' trampoline. By the way I have had once since I was about 8 and got a 2nd one for my 20th b-day (LOL). But I love them. If they are used in the right way they are safe. I hope your family enjoys it as much as I have.
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My husband was worried about safety too but finally caved a couple years ago. We have got so much use out of it. The kids ( & my husband!) are on it alot. He was always worried about safety as my nephew broke his arm on theirs (they had a cheaper walmart one FYI).
I researched a ton & we decided to go w/ the company Jumpsport & we got a 14ft "staged bounced trampoline" w/ a safety net. Total was about $900.
This company & their trampolines got the best reviews on this safety website I found. One of the things I liked about these ones too is they have a zip free door that works awesome. Watching the reviews too made me sure we didn't want to get a cheaper one from walmart as we saw the danger of them tipping over & of course my nephew. We have neighbor boys that love to go crazy & I feel pretty safe with ours. These trampolines have a "staged bounce" so when 2 or more people are jumping it's less likely to have the net stretched out & be like hitting a solid surface. Here's the review website http://www.trampolinesafety.com/
Good luck deciding!
The Skywalker had the best reviews from what I saw when I was looking. But I would look at getting the 15', it's a little more expensive but totally worth the extra space. We actually ended buying the one they were selling in the store at Sam's Club (neither of those brands) and it has worked great so far. It's 15' and was about $300 out the door.
I agree with the poster about checking your homeowners insurance. I have a friend whose insurance canceled them because they have one. Our insurance (State farm) said we could have one, but that if someone got hurt on it we wouldn't be covered. Essentially they won't cancel us for having one, but it's not a covered item.
We have the biggest trampoline sold at Walmart with no enclosure. It was bought several years ago so I'm not sure if it's the same brand. We have gotten I would say 15 years good use out of this trampoline and we have taken it apart and moved it at least 3 times. My daughter who is now 18 jumped on it for years (injury free) and now my kids have jumped on it (injury free) since birth and they are now 4 and 5. My ex just had to cut the enclosure off his trampline because ITs a hazard! The kids feet fall down in between the netting and the trampoline and they get stuck there. It's great fun for backyard parties and when friends and cousins stay the night. I sometimes go out and jump by myself at night to relieve stress and excercise. BUt again, not sure the barnd.
Just an FYI, your homeowners insurance company may cancel you if you have one. You may want to check with them first. Good luck!
We have the orbounder and we like it. We just got in in December though. ...Just make sure you stake it down we didnt and during a storm it flew away
We have had one for 3 yrs now; we bought it when my son was 8. Ours is 14' & made by AirZone. With trampolines I would say bigger is better being many times there may be more than 1 person on it as is the case here. There are times my son & two friends are on it & they dont always just 'jump'. They are pushing, wrestling, & goofing off etc. I dont like that of course and ask them to stop. This, to me, is when we have had a few slight mishaps from them bumping into or landing on each other. If used properly they can be/are lots of fun. One of responses indicated they used theirs without the enclosure. For me, I would NEVER allow that to occur as I have visions of someone flying off of it and many of us have seen those fools on Ameria's Funniest Video's that do exacly that. Again, if used properly they are safe and are tons of fun.
We have the big one from Walmart and my kids love it. I have the enclosure but didn't put it up. We did stake it into the yard.
Trampolines are a death trap, but then so are skateboards, bicycles, pools and ATV's. We have all of them. If I worried about everything they did, they would do nothing.
Enjoy it.
Bigger, for sure! More bounce!
