Viking Horns sells some of the biggest complete air horn kits you can buy. The top kit has two compressors, a 5-gallon tank, and a 170 dB rating on the box. Here's what the $478 kit actually includes, why the 170 dB number doesn't hold up, and what the install takes. Then we compare it with a battery train horn that needs no install.
The Viking Kits and What's in the Box
Viking's lineup runs from a 1.5-gallon starter kit up to the 5-gallon dual-compressor kit. Here's how the main models compare, based on Viking's listings as summarized by a train horn review site:
| Viking kit | Trumpets | Tank | Compressor | Claimed dB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V101C-3 | 4 | 1.5 gal | 150 PSI | 149 dB |
| V103C-5/310 | 4 | 3 gal | 200 PSI | 162 dB |
| V103C-5/311-1B | 3 | 3 gal | 200 PSI | 152 dB |
| V103C2X-6-12/311-1B | 3 | 5 gal (18 L) | Two 200 PSI, 100% duty cycle | 170 dB |
The flagship 5-gallon kit, V103C2X-6-12/311-1B, was listed at $478.19 on Walmart when we checked. Prices vary a lot by seller. Another marketplace listing had the same kit at $489.02, and the chrome version was listed at $540.95 on Viking's own site in May 2024. Both Amazon listings for the dual-compressor kits currently show as unavailable.
In fairness, the box is more complete than most budget kits. You get three black metal trumpets (16-1/2, 14-1/2 and 12-1/2 inches), two 12V compressors, the 5-gallon tank, a 1/2-inch air hose and solenoid valve, a 170/200 PSI pressure switch, an air gauge, brass fittings, Teflon tape, wires, mounting hardware and a horn button. A relay isn't listed. The reviewer recommends a separate fused feed and relay for each compressor.
Is the Viking Kit Really 170 dB?
The short answer is no. The review site we used says the claim is "not physically achievable" from a 5-gallon tank, a 200 PSI consumer compressor and these trumpets. Here's why that conclusion is reasonable.
- No test distance. Viking doesn't say where the 170 dB was measured. The Federal Highway Administration's noise barrier design guidance puts the drop for a point source at about 6 dB every time the distance doubles. A reading taken a few inches from the bell can come out well over 10 dB higher than the same horn measured at 3 ft.
- It beats a real locomotive horn. HornBlasters cites a DJD Labs test where a Nathan K5LA, the horn used on real locomotives, peaked at 149.4 dB. Claiming 170 dB means claiming about 21 dB more. Every 10 dB is ten times the sound energy, so 21 dB works out to roughly 125 times the energy of a locomotive horn, from a kit that bolts under a pickup bed.
- Viking rated the same trumpets lower. Viking's archived listing for the 3-gallon V103C-5/311-1B rates the same 3-trumpet horn at 152 dB. Adding a second compressor and a bigger tank gives you more air and faster refills. It doesn't add 18 dB.
The reviewer estimates the 5-gallon kit at about 135 to 146 dB at close range. That's an estimate from specs and user videos, not a lab measurement, but it puts the kit in real train horn territory. Our article Is a 150 dB train horn real? explains how to read these ratings. Treat every at-source rating the same way, ours included. Our battery horns are rated at 130, 140 and 150 dB at the source, and those numbers are only useful for comparing tiers against each other.
The 5-Gallon Tank: What It Buys You
The big tank is the best reason to choose a Viking kit. A 5-gallon tank at 170 to 200 PSI holds enough air for long, repeated blasts, and the second compressor roughly halves refill time compared with single-compressor kits. Both compressors are rated for 100% duty cycle, so they can run continuously without a cool-down period. If you like holding the horn down for long blasts at a truck meet, that matters.
The trade-off is size and power. The tank is 21 inches long and 10-1/2 inches tall with its bracket, the horn assembly is 18 inches wide, and each compressor is about 10-3/4 by 4 by 6-3/4 inches. The reviewer says you realistically need a full-size pickup, an RV bay or a large SUV to fit it all. On power, a Viking V103C compressor is listed at about 23 A working draw and ships with a 30 A fuse. Run two at once and you're asking your truck's charging system for about 46 A. Our article on how many amps a train horn draws covers what that means for your alternator and battery.
What the Install Actually Takes
This is a full onboard-air install, and with two compressors it's bigger than a typical single-compressor kit. Plan for these jobs:
- Find mounting space for the tank, two compressors and the horn, ideally under the bed or on the frame rail and out of road spray.
- Wire each compressor separately. Each one gets its own fused 12V feed and relay, and both run through the pressure switch. A ready-made relay-and-wire kit like Vixen's lists at $47.78, so plan on about $96 for two.
- Plumb the 1/2-inch lines. The larger hose and push-to-connect fittings move more air than 1/4-inch kits but take more planning to route.
- Drain the tank. Compressed air leaves water in the tank. The reviewer recommends draining it regularly and adding a water trap in humid climates.
The reviewer estimates a full weekend for a first install. General install guides put a train horn install at 2 to 4 hours DIY or 3 to 5 hours at a shop, and a dual-compressor kit will land at the long end of that or beyond. Our breakdown of what it costs to put a train horn on a truck covers shop rates in more detail.
Real Cost: Viking 5-Gallon Kit vs a Battery Train Horn
| Cost item | Viking V103C2X 5-gal kit | Extreme Series for Milwaukee® 18v Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Horn + air source | $478.19 (two compressors, 5 gal tank) | $365, compressor built in |
| Relays and wiring | About $96 for two relay kits | None, the tool battery powers it |
| Install | A weekend DIY, or 3–5+ shop hours (about $420–$700 at $140/hr) | None, works out of the box |
| Rated loudness | 170 dB claimed, no distance (reviewer estimate 135–146 dB) | 150 dB rated at the source |
| Warranty | 12-month limited; brand's store site is offline | Sold and supported by us |
| Total, DIY | About $574 plus a weekend | $365 plus a battery if you don't own one |
| Total, shop-installed | About $994–$1,274 | $365 |
Unlike the roughly $90 starter kit in our VEVOR kit vs battery horn comparison, the Viking flagship costs more than our top battery tier before you buy a single relay. The warranty is also a real concern. Viking's archived policy lists a 12-month limited warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, but the brand's website no longer hosts its store, so getting support may be hard.
The Extreme Series Train Horn for Milwaukee® 18v Battery is our loudest tier. It's rated at 150 dB, uses an upgraded set of larger metal trumpets, and runs on any Milwaukee® M18™ pack you already own. It comes with a 160 ft wireless remote, and you can upgrade to a 2,000 ft long-range remote. Chrome and red finishes are $385.
The same 150 dB tier is also available for other battery platforms, including DeWalt® 20V MAX™, Ryobi® ONE+™ and Makita® LXT™ packs.
When the Viking Kit Is the Better Buy
The Viking kit is the better choice if you want a permanent, high-capacity air system on one large vehicle. That fits someone who blows the horn for long stretches, wants the fast refill of two compressors, and has room under a full-size bed.
It's the wrong choice if you drive a smaller truck, want to move one horn between a truck, a boat and a UTV, or don't want to wire two compressors into your electrical system. Our guide to a battery train horn vs a compressor-and-tank kit covers the long-term maintenance side. For a single-compressor alternative, see our Kleinn kit vs battery horn breakdown. To compare every tier and battery platform side by side, start with the complete train horn buyer's guide.
FAQ
Is the Viking Horns 170 dB kit really 170 dB?
No. Viking gives no measurement distance, and 170 dB would be about 21 dB above a measured Nathan K5LA locomotive horn. Viking itself rated the same three trumpets at 152 dB on a smaller kit. A reviewer estimates about 135 to 146 dB at close range.
Does the Viking 5-gallon kit come with wiring?
It includes wires and a horn button, but no relay is listed. Each of the two compressors should get its own fused feed and relay, so budget for those separately.
Why does the Viking kit have two compressors?
The second compressor fills the 5-gallon tank alongside the first, which roughly halves the time it takes to refill between long blasts. The trade-off is twice the wiring and about 46 A of combined draw.
Will a Viking kit fit my truck?
The tank is 21 inches long and the horn assembly is 18 inches wide, so it's best suited to a full-size pickup, an RV or a large SUV. A battery horn needs no mounting space at all.