HornBlasters Outlaw 228H Train Horn Kit Review (2026)

Methodology

This review aggregates publicly available information from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and verified user reviews. We do not perform hands-on testing. Last reviewed: November 9, 2026. Our primary source is HornBlasters’ official Outlaw Train Horn Kit page, which lists the 127H, 228H, and 232 variants side by side with full spec sheets and fill rates. We cross-checked pricing against two independent retailers, pulled horn-only specs from HornBlasters’ standalone Outlaw horn listing, and used a public owner video for a sense of the Outlaw horn’s tone. Every number below traces back to a URL in the Sources section.

Quick verdict

The HornBlasters Outlaw 228H earns a 4.4/5 from us. It pairs the brand’s three-bell, all-metal Outlaw horn with a 2-gallon, 150 PSI all-in-one air source unit — the compressor and tank come pre-assembled and pre-plumbed on a single manifold. HornBlasters rates it at 5–6 seconds of honk time with a 55-second recovery from 110 to 150 PSI, and the chrome version was listed at $499.99 on the day we checked. In our editorial opinion, that makes the chrome 228H the value sweet spot of the whole Outlaw line: more air than the 127H for less money, and the same horn as the 232 for hundreds less. It loses points for the familiar HornBlasters gaps — no per-model dB rating, no chord frequencies — and a $150 premium for the Stealth Black finish. For how it fits the wider lineup, see our HornBlasters hub.

What it is

The Outlaw 228H is a complete 12-volt train horn kit for pickup trucks. The horn is HornBlasters’ Outlaw: three wide-flare metal bells mounted on a single metal bracket, sold in chrome (part number HK-C3-228H) or Stealth Black (HK-C3B-228H). Per HornBlasters’ standalone horn listing, the Outlaw horn measures 18.5” L × 15.5” W × 12.5” H, weighs 15 lb, and is described as having a “large throat” for a deeper, full-bodied tone — that is the brand’s marketing description, not a measured acoustic claim.

The “228H” half of the name refers to the air package. The kit is built around a 2-gallon, 150 PSI air source unit with the compressor attached directly to the tank. The brand positions it as a “medium-duty” kit, sitting between the light-duty Outlaw 127H (1.5-gallon, 120 PSI) and the heavy-duty Outlaw 232 (HornAir 232 system with a separate 3Q compressor). All three variants share the same horn, so the choice between them is purely about the air system — how long you can honk, how fast it refills, and how flexible the install is.

The product page also describes the air source unit as built to handle varied weather conditions and notes that the onboard air can inflate tires and run small air tools — a practical bonus if you are already installing compressed air on the truck.

Horn

Outlaw, 3 metal bells

Pressure

150 PSI operating / 110 PSI restart

Tank

2 gallons, compressor attached

Honk time

5–6 seconds

Recovery

55 sec (110→150 PSI)

Price

$499.99 chrome / $649.99 black

Specifications

All figures below come from HornBlasters’ official Outlaw Train Horn Kit page (228H variant) unless noted. Horn-only figures are repeated on the brand’s standalone Outlaw horn listing.

Spec	Value
Part numbers	HK-C3-228H (chrome), HK-C3B-228H (Stealth Black)
Horn	Outlaw — three wide-flare metal bells on a metal bracket
Horn dimensions	18.5” L × 15.5” W × 12.5” H (469.9 × 393.7 × 317.5 mm)
Horn weight	15 lb (6.8 kg)
Horn air inlet	1/2” air line
Sound output	Not published for this model — HornBlasters says its non-electric horns are “130 dB or higher” (test distance not disclosed)
Chord frequencies	Not disclosed
Operating pressure	150 PSI
Restart pressure	110 PSI
Air source unit	2-gallon tank with attached compressor, single manifold
Air source dimensions	19” L × 6.25” W × 14.5” H (482.6 × 158.75 × 368.3 mm)
Fill time (0–150 PSI)	3 min 5 sec (± 10 sec), at 13.8 V supply
Recovery (110–150 PSI)	55 sec (± 5 sec), at 13.8 V supply
Honk time	5–6 seconds per full tank
Valve	Pre-installed 3/8” electric air valve
System max amp draw	22 A
Voltage	12-volt DC
Warranty	2-year manufacturer’s defect warranty (kit listing); standalone horn listing states 1 year for the horn
Price (HornBlasters, Nov 9, 2026)	$499.99 chrome (compare-at $669.99); $649.99 Stealth Black (compare-at $688.99)

Two rows deserve a note. First, the missing dB figure: HornBlasters publishes a page arguing that many advertised decibel ratings in this market are measured at unrealistic distances, and it only claims that everything it sells apart from its electric horns is “130 dB or higher” under what it calls honest testing. We treat that as a manufacturer claim, not a measured figure for this horn — our decibels guide explains why test distance changes everything. Second, the fill and recovery times are quoted at a 13.8 V supply, i.e. with the engine running; expect slower numbers on battery alone.

What’s in the box

Per the official product page, the 228H kit includes:

• Outlaw three-bell train horn (chrome or Stealth Black)
• 2-gallon air source unit (tank and compressor pre-assembled)
• 110/150 PSI pressure switch
• Pre-installed 3/8” electric air valve
• Air filter relocation kit plus spare air filters
• Brass NPT fittings kit, including a safety blow-off valve and drain cock
• 10 ft of 1/2” D.O.T.-approved air line and an air line cutter
• 22 ft each of red 10-gauge, grey 18-gauge, and blue 18-gauge wire
• Complete wiring kit with fuse holder and fuses
• Mounting hardware, earplugs, and detailed instructions

The pressure gauge and the extra air-line lengths that come with the Outlaw 232 are not on the 228H list, so budget for a gauge if you want a dash or under-hood readout.

Pros

• All-metal horn at an entry price. The three-bell metal Outlaw horn is the same unit HornBlasters uses in its pricier 232 kit.
• Strong value inside the Outlaw line. At the time of review the chrome 228H was listed below the chrome 127H, despite a bigger tank and higher pressure.
• Pre-assembled air source. Tank and compressor ship pre-plumbed on one manifold, which HornBlasters says simplifies the install.
• Documented performance. Operating and restart pressures, fill time, recovery time, amp draw, and dimensions are all published with tolerances.
• Useful onboard air. The 150 PSI system can also inflate tires and run small air tools, per the product page.
• Two-year kit warranty. The kit listing backs it with a 2-year manufacturer’s defect warranty, plus a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Cons

• No per-model dB rating. Only the brand-wide “130 dB or higher” claim, with no test distance given for this horn.
• No chord data. Bell frequencies in Hz are not disclosed, so you cannot compare the chord to locomotive horns on paper.
• Compressor must stay on the tank. HornBlasters states that detaching the compressor voids the warranty — awkward for tight or split installs.
• Stealth Black costs $150 more. $649.99 versus $499.99 for chrome, for the same horn and air system.
• Short honk window. 5–6 seconds per tank, then roughly a minute of compressor recovery before you are back at full pressure.
• Bulky air source. The 19” × 6.25” × 14.5” unit plus an 18.5” horn needs real frame, bed, or underbody space.

Alternatives

• HornBlasters Outlaw 127H — same Outlaw horn on a 1.5-gallon, 120 PSI air source with up to 5 seconds of honk and a 35-second recharge; listed at $579.99 chrome / $599.99 black on the same HornBlasters page at review time. See our Outlaw 127H review.
• HornBlasters Outlaw 232 — same horn with the heavy-duty HornAir 232 system (separate 3Q compressor and a six-port tank), at $859.99. Pick it if you need to mount the compressor away from the tank or want more air ports. See our Outlaw 232 review.
• HornBlasters Conductor’s Special 228H — the same 2-gallon air-source format paired with a different horn, for buyers who want to cross-shop sound rather than air system. See our Conductor’s Special 228H review.

If you only need a horn because you already run onboard air, HornBlasters sells the Outlaw horn alone for $279.99, with a 12–24 V electric valve and 1/2” air line included.

Install / compatibility notes

The Outlaw 228H is a full onboard-air install, not a horn swap. What you need to plan for:

• Space for two big components. Find a spot for the 19” × 6.25” × 14.5” air source unit and the 18.5” × 15.5” × 12.5” horn. HornBlasters categorizes the kit for full-size and mid-size pickups; underbody, frame-rail, and in-bed mounts are typical. Our install guide covers common locations.
• Keep the compressor attached. Because detaching it voids the warranty, the whole air source unit must fit in one location. If your truck lacks one spot big enough, HornBlasters itself points buyers to the 232 and higher kits.
• A proper fused power feed. The system can draw up to 22 A on 12 V DC. Use the included 10-gauge power lead and fuse holder, and wire it so the compressor runs with the ignition rather than draining the battery.
• Air-filter placement. The kit includes an air filter relocation kit — use it to move the compressor’s intake somewhere clean and dry if the unit sits under the vehicle.
• Drain the tank. A drain cock is supplied; purge condensation regularly, especially in cold or humid climates.
• Know your local law. Train horns are a secondary horn in most states and are often restricted on public roads. Check our legality guide before wiring it to a daily-use button.

The bigger tank and higher pressure are what give the 228H its longer honk compared with the 1.5-gallon, 120 PSI 127H. Our PSI explainer walks through why.

Sources

• HornBlasters — Outlaw Train Horn Kit product page (127H / 228H / 232 variants) — 228H part numbers, operating/restart pressure, tank size, air source dimensions, fill and recovery rates, honk time, amp draw, included items, warranty, compressor-detach warning, current prices; 127H and 232 comparison specs and prices
• HornBlasters — Outlaw Train Horn (horn only) — horn dimensions and weight, 1/2” inlet, “large throat” tone description, horn-only price ($279.99), 1-year horn warranty, horn-only included items
• HornBlasters — Why fake decibel ratings mislead buyers — brand’s position on dB advertising and its “130 dB or higher” claim for non-electric horns
• Platinum HP Solutions — Outlaw 228H Train Horn Kit — retailer price cross-check ($499.99 chrome / $649.99 black)
• Gauge Magazine Store — Black Outlaw Train Horn Kit, 2 Gal Tank (HK-C3B-228H) — retailer price cross-check for the Stealth Black kit ($649.99)
• YouTube — “Hornblasters outlaw 232 first test” (The Halo121) — owner audio demo of the same three-bell Outlaw horn (on the 232 air system)

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