While it is rare that Flip Trees are damaged during shipping, occasionally tree parts can be damaged while in route to your home. The following guide is designed to help you with any problems you may encounter. Short Term Solutions are to help you get your tree up so you can enjoy your Flip Tree this Christmas without the hassle of making unnecessary phone calls or returns. We have also provided Long Term Solutions in the event that our Short Term Solutions do not completely resolve your problem.
- Front wheel looks bent
Short Term Solution: Lay the tree on its side and bend the wheel (still screwed into stand) back into position. If tree is still crooked read
'What if the tree is crooked?' below to straighten tree.
Long Term Solution: If wheel is still bent, fill out the form in
Contact Flip to request a replacement wheel. Tell us if it is either the threaded stem on the wheel itself or the underside of the base leg that the threaded stem screws into that is bent.
- Wheel is broken
Short Term Solution: Support the corresponding leg to stabilize tree.
Long Term Solution: Fill out the form in
Contact Flip to request a replacement wheel. Please note if it is a front or back wheel.
- One of the wheels won’t roll
Short Term Solution: Lay the tree on its side and try to manually move the wheel to unlock any debris that may have become lodged in the wheel bearing.
Long Term Solution: If wheel still won’t turn, fill out the form in
Contact Flip to request a replacement wheel.
- Foot Pedal is broken
Short Term Solution: Note: Only Frontgate trees have a foot pedal. Damage to the foot pedal will not affect the structural integrity of the Flip stand and your tree should remain fully functional. Use care not to place all of your weight on the pedal when you Flip the tree.
Long Term Solution: Fill out the form in
Contact Flip to request a replacement foot peddle.
- FlipIndicator is broken or turns
The FlipIndicator is made from plastic so can be damaged during shipping. If broken contact us for a replacement.
The FlipIndicator should not turn on the end of the pole. If it does it means it is missing the small screw in the back. The FlipIndicator lets you know where to Flip the tree. When the tree is in the stored position the FlipIndicator or latch should point directly out over the midway point between the back two wheels. When the tree is in the display position the FlipIndicator should point directly out over the midway point between the front two wheels. Position the FlipIndicator properly and secure with a short screw so your tree top can still insert into the tree pole opening. If you need a small, short screw we can send you one.
- What if my hinge breaks
If your hinge has broken in shipping then your FlipBase and FlipPole Assembly are broken off from the tree pole. This makes your FlipTree nonfunctional. There is no short-term solution. Please contact FlipTree customer service and we will send you a replacement hinge.
Once you receive the new hinge your will need to swap out the broken hinge with the replacement hinge. Artificial Christmas trees are made from wire so we recommend you use gloves and long sleeves. This task should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Diagrams do not show limbs which are attached to your tree.
Tools needed: wrenches (either fixed or adjustable) and a Phillips screwdriver.
1) It is best to leave the main tree in the bag for the replacement, though not essential. The tree should be in the stored position, which means the limbs are laying down against the tree pole, and not out in display mode where the limbs have fallen out and away from the tree pole. If the hinge is broken then the FlipPole has broken off from the tree. So part of the broken hinge will be attached to the top of the FlipPole and part still on the tree pole.
2) Remove the two nuts and bolts connecting the broken hinge and 3 inch half-moon metal backing from the tree pole. Separate the tree limbs so you can see what you are doing. Keep the bolts and the bracket.
3) Remove the broken hinge from the FlipPole by unscrewing the large bolt that connects the hinge to the FlipPole.
4) Replace the new hinge on the tree in the proper direction. When the tree is in the stored position with the limbs close to the tree pole, the tree pole is near the front wheels. When it is in the display position with the limbs out the tree pole must be directly over the base pole on which the legs are welded.
5) When you replace the hinge, you should first attach the new hinge to the tree pole first and second attach the new hinge to the top of the FlipPole.
6) Stabilize the base with front wheels in the air and back wheels on the ground as you tilt the tree up. It should now function properly. If it doesn’t, please contact us so we can work with you directly.
- Latch is Broken or Safety Strap won’t buckle
- Bracket is bent
Short Term Solution: If the tree was dropped in shipping on one corner it can possibly bend the thick steel bracket, which is extremely strong. This may cause the tree to look crooked. You can bend the bracket back with some effort. Flip the tree so it is in display position. Secure the safety strap or safety latch. Then take hold of the top of the tree pole where the Flip Indicator is attached. Put your weight with one foot on one leg of the base in the direction you want to straighten the tree. Have someone else put one foot on the leg opposite you. The pull the tree in the direction needed to straighten the tree. Make sure the front wheels are locked and do not place all of your weight on the tree. Keep one foot on the ground at all times as the wheels may move under pressure. With effort this will significantly straighten tree. If tree is still crooked read Flip Tree looks crooked below to straighten tree.
Long Term Solution: If bracket is still bent, shim tree for this year then fill out the form in
Contact Flip to request a new bracket.
- I broke the red handle off when I Flipped the tree
Some FlipTrees have Red Handles that screw into the Flip Hinge. This locks the tree in place for moving around the house. It also gives you something to hold onto when moving the tree. But it is not essential to the functionality of the tree. The instructions clearly say to remove the Red Handle before Flipping the tree. If you Flip the tree without removing the handle you can, with considerable force, break this Red Handle off. Not to worry, the connector was designed to break off without affecting the performance of the FlipTree should you fail to remove the Red Handle before Flipping. You simply lose the use of the Red Handle but you have not in anyway hurt the tree’s performance.
- Tree Doesn’t Flip Properly
Check for proper alignment. When the tree comes out of the box in the stored position it is designed to Flip down and toward the mid point between the back wheels to set the tree up. Put your foot on the back of the base and pull down a bit to check this alignment. To adjust alignment, unscrewing the turn knob at the base, turning the tree so it Flips down toward the back wheels for set up. Then tighten the turn knob.
If necessary, turn the Flip Indicator at the top of the stored tree to point to the midpoint between the two back wheels. In set up position the Flip Indicator should point between the two front wheels. If it isn't, turn the Flip Indicator so it is.
- What if limbs get caught during Flipping?
Your Flip tree is made so that no electrical cords impede flipping the tree. There should be nothing blocking or obstructing the Flip path. Some limbs may temporarily catch on each other during storage or shipping. Remember to clear the Flip path of these branches by pushing them either left or right. When you Flip the tree continue to clear the Flip path of any caught limbs. The Flip button was at the top of the tree pole is now at the base. Check that it is flush against the support rod.
- What if lights don’t come on?
Flip tree is the manufacturer of the stand only and is not responsible for the tree or the lights. Please contact the responsible parties for problems related to these items.
- What if the tree is crooked?
Ensure the ground under the tree is level. Carpet or other uneven surfaces are often not perfectly level.
Make sure all the wheels are touching the ground. To move the front wheel up and down simply turn the wheel body so that the threaded stem unscrews from the leg until the wheel has reached its desired height.
Make sure nothing is caught in the safety latch or safety strap. This will keep the Flip indicator from not being flush to the Flip pole. Remove any item such as a tree limb or light bulb that is obstructing the safety latch or safety strap. Once removed attached the unobstructed safety latch of safety strap.
As final resort. Add shims under wheel or base leg.
- Can I turn tree to decorate the back?
Yes, but first unlock the front wheels. Be sure to lock the wheels after you turn the tree.
- Can I tilt tree to take the top off and on?
If you have trouble inserting the top of the tree you can rotate the tree down in the Flip direction for better access. Make sure latch is open whenever you are rotating the tree and closed for display.
- Should I lock the wheels?
When you are Flipping the tree or displaying the tree the wheels must be locked for safety.
- Should I use the safety strap or latch?
The safety latch or safety strap lock the tree into the upright position. It is recommended you lock the tree before you decorate. The safety latch or safety strap MUST be open when you attempt to flip your tree. Failure to keep the safety latch or safety strap open could result in damage to your Flip Tree.
- Should I use the Flip lock handle?
Some FlipTrees have Red Handles that screw into the Flip Hinge. This locks the tree in place for moving around the house. It also gives you something to hold onto when moving the tree. But it is not essential to the functionality of the tree.
- Can I climb stairs?
All 2010 FlipTrees are built with stair climbing wheels built into the back of the Flip stand. Do not move tree with tree top bag on the stand. Once the bag is properly put on the tree you will be able to move the tree up and down stairs if you take a secure grip either on the red handle that has been properly screwed into the hinge or the hinge itself. Also take hold of the top of the tree pole or the FlipTree bag. Use extreme caution when moving any heavy object up and down stairs. Make sure no one is in danger. If you are moving a heavy tree it may take two people to negotiate stairs.
- What if there are gaps in the branches on the tree
All trees ship with irregular spacing of branches. The first step to a beautiful tree is simply moving the limbs to so they are evenly spaced around the tree. If additional shaping is of individual tips, which is often the case even with memory wire trees, click Should I shape my tree?
- Should I shape the tree branches and tips?
What is tree shaping? You will want to shape the branches and tips of your FlipTree for your tree to achieve that wow factor! Shaping is much easier on FlipTrees that sectional trees since your tree stores in the natural, upside down position, protecting the shape of the limbs.
When you first get your FlipTree it is important to remember it has traveled half way around the world on its side and may need some freshening up. Even pre-shaped trees, which use memory wire to hold shape, may need some minimal shaping of branches and tips. Shaping is common and perfectly acceptable so long as you take care not to exert excessive force in moving the branches.
To properly shape an artificial Christmas tree. Start with the lowermost row of branches, positioning each exactly where you want it. Move branches to fill any gaps in your tree.
Now stay on that same row of branches and shape the tips on each branch, starting with those closest to the trunk, into a gentle curve. The tips should be shaped into an upward and outward direction. Vary the distances of your bends to achieve a fuller, more lush look to your tree.
Once the bottom row is done, move up to the next row until you finish the tree. This process on pre-shaped memory wire trees will only take a few minutes. For other trees shaping can take up to an hour even for expert shapers.
- One of the limbs on my tree is broken
Flip tree is the manufacturer of the stand only and is not responsible for the tree or the lights. Please contact the responsible parties for problems related to these items.
