Are you planning an event in Edmonton, Alberta, and looking for a fun and exciting way to entertain your guests?
Look no further!
A dunk tank is a perfect addition to any event, whether it’s a community fair, a school fundraiser, or a corporate team-building event. We have Twister Display’s Easy Dunkers available in red and blue!
But how do you set up a dunk tank? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a dunk tank, step by step.
Ready to dive in? Here’s what we’ll be covering in this article:
- Unhitching and Positioning the Dunk Tank
- Installing the Backdrop
- Filling the Dunk Tank
- Draining the Dunk Tank
- Dismantling & Storing the Dunk Tank
- Cleaning the Popcorn Machine
Unhitching and Positioning the Dunk Tank
First things first, you need to unpack your dunk tank!
Start by unplugging the wiring so that the hitch can be removed from the dunk tank itself.

Once you’ve unhooked the electrical, you can remove the two pings holding the hitch in place. Remember to store the two pins from the hitch in a safe place so you don’t lose them.
Next, lift the dunk tank slightly and slide the hitch out towards the bottom of the tank.

Once the hitch is removed, put the pins back in the hitch so nothing goes missing.
Now, you’re ready to hoist the dunk tank up on its bottom and position it where you’d like. The key here is to move the tank where you need it before it’s filled with water. It’ll be a lot more difficult to move afterwards!
Installing the Backdrop
To set up the backdrop frame, start by undoing the chains that are tied for transport.

Afterwards, remove the pin on the top arm so you can remove it and lower the bottom arm down.

Then, reinstall the top arm in its horizontal position and put the pin back in so it’s firmly in place.

With the lower and top arm in position, you’ll notice the trigger arm pinned against the vertical arm. Pull the pin and remove the trigger arm.

The threaded end should face forward when pinned down, and the trigger arm should be positioned behind the trigger of the seat.

Put the pin in and you’re set.

To install the backdrop, unfold it and hang it on the dunk tank with the bungees facing the tank. Thread the top arm on first and then thread the bottom arm. It’s hinged to make it fairly easy to do.

Pull it all snug and you’re ready to raise it.
To raise and tighten the backdrop, pull the pin out of the vertical arm.

This will let you lift the top arm of the backdrop which, in turn, will tighten it.

When you raise the backdrop, the pin hole should line up with the hole as the target arm lines up with the hole in the tarp. Point the pin away from the dunk tank when you’re reinstalling it to avoid any potential snags.

To secure the side of the backdrop against the tank, wrap each bungee around the post and pass the black ball in between the two cords of the bungee.

This should be enough to hold it secure.
Next, thread the target onto the target arm. It should go on easily.

Undo the safety latch on the seat and give it a test by lifting the back of the seat and pulling the trigger arm.

If all goes well, the seat should tip over, and the backdrop is complete!
Filling the Dunk Tank
Before you start filling the dunk tank with water, make sure that the drain valve is closed. The red T should be pointing across the valve.

Filling the tank could take an hour to two hours, so be patient. You’ll want to get the water at least up to the yellow text inside the tank.
Afterwards, the dunk tank is ready for the victims… Let the fun begin!
Dismantling and Storing the Dunk Tank
Once you’ve had your fun, it’s time to put the dunk tank away.
Start by stringing out your hose and plugging the cam lock onto your valve connector.

Open the valve and remove any kinks from the hose to get things flowing.
Now you can dismantle the backdrop. Push the balls on the bungee through the loops to undo them and remove the pin that holds the vertical arm up. Lower the backdrop arm, returning the pin and the clip to their position.
The backdrop should slide easily off of the frame arms and can then be folded up.
Next, take the trigger arm off. To do this, pull the clip that is holding the trigger arm in position and wiggle it out. Then, pin the trigger arm against the vertical frame arm of the dunk where you had initially removed it from.
Pull the pin on the top frame arm. This will allow you to remove the top frame arm. Then, fold the lower arm up and put the upper back on in its vertical position, pinning it into place. Now, secure the safety chains around the folded up frame arms to ensure nothing can fall loose during transport.
When you’re not using the dunk tank, set the safety latch so the seat can’t be tripped accidentally.

When your dunk tank is nearly empty, you can take the hose off. It’ll likely keep draining after you release the cam lock. The last bit of water can come out without the hose.
To get your tank back on its wheels, have someone lift the front of it and pull down on the back to lower it as gently as you can.

Now all that’s left to do is reinstall the hitch!
Grab the hitch and remove the pins that we stored inside of it earlier. Then, making sure the hitch is right side up, lift the tank and slide the hitch in until the pins line up.

Put the pin and the lock in its hole.
Finally, hook up the trailer wiring so that you have signals for when you’re towing the dunk tank around. Roll the hose up, put that in the blue box, and your dunk tank is ready to return.
Contact Us
We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to set up and dismantle a dunk tank!
Setting up and dismantling a dunk tank might seem like a daunting task, but with these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to do it with ease. Remember, safety is paramount when dealing with large equipment like a dunk tank. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure about any step in the process.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (780) 424-6001 or email us at info@rivercityevents.ca. We’re open 9 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday, and from 10 AM to 4PM on Saturday!
Happy dunking!