Kleinn USTL-230 Spare Tire Location 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: September 1, 2026. Our primary sources are Kleinn’s live Universal Spare Tire Location (USTL) product listing, its clearance New Open Box and Scratch & Dent listings for the same kit, Kleinn’s standalone spec pages for the Model 230 horn, 6350RC compressor and 6350RT tank, the official USTL-230 install guide PDF, and retailer listings at AmericanTrucks and Diesel Power Products. Every number below traces back to one of the links in the Sources section.

Quick verdict

The Kleinn USTL-230 solves the problem that kills most train horn projects on lifted trucks: where to put the tank, compressor and horns without fabricating anything. The whole system bolts to a powder-coated steel cradle that your factory spare tire winch hoists into the empty spare tire cavity. You get the Model 230 “Beast” triple horn plus a real 150 PSI, 100% duty cycle onboard air system with a 3-gallon tank and a tire inflator, all pre-engineered to fit together. We rate it 4.2/5. Points come off for the undisclosed dB test distance (Kleinn publishes two different numbers for the same horn), ABS trumpets at a four-figure price, and the fact that you give up your spare tire.

What it is

The USTL-230 is one of four configurations of Kleinn’s SEMA award-winning Universal Spare Tire Location system. The base USTL is just the bracket. USTL-OBA adds a compressor and tank with no horns. USTL-230 adds the ABS Model 230 triple train horn and 150 PSI air, and USTL-734 steps up to the stainless Model 730 Demon horn and a 200 PSI compressor. This review covers the 230 version.

Lifted trucks on oversize tires usually carry a stock-size spare under the bed that no longer matches the other four corners. Kleinn’s bracket replaces that spare. It holds the horns, the 6350RC compressor and the 6350RT tank, and it hangs from the OEM tire crank and hoist, so nothing is drilled or welded to the frame. Kleinn says the brackets are engineered and built in Tucson, Arizona. The target buyer is a full-size pickup owner who wants onboard air as much as the horn and values a clean install over saving money.

Kleinn sells the standard kit under part number KL USTL-230 for $1,089.95, and the live listing marks it in stock as of our review date. Kleinn also runs clearance versions of the same kit. The New Open Box unit (KL USTL-230-NOB, a previously opened and reboxed kit) was listed at $871.96 against the $1,089.95 regular price, and a Scratch & Dent unit (KL USTL-230-SOD) at $817.46. Both clearance listings showed sold out when we checked, so treat those prices as a sign that discounts appear from time to time. AmericanTrucks lists the standard kit at $1,034.99 and Diesel Power Products at $1,089.95.

Specifications

Spec	Value
Kit part number	KL USTL-230 (clearance variants: KL USTL-230-NOB, KL USTL-230-SOD)
Horn	Kleinn Model 230 “The Beast” triple train horn
Trumpets	3, high-impact ABS composite with zinc alloy drivers, flat-rack or individual mount
Sound output (manufacturer claim)	153.3 dB per the kit listings; 155.1 dB at 150 PSI per the standalone Model 230 spec table (test distance not disclosed)
Horn dimensions on rack	18.5 in L x 18 in W x 7 in H
Individual trumpet lengths	18.5 in, 16.5 in, 14.5 in
Solenoid	VX6003 12 V all-brass high-flow solenoid
Air line to horns	1/4 in OD high-pressure tubing, 12 ft
Compressor	Kleinn 6350RC, waterproof sealed, oil-less, 12 V DC
Compressor output	2.0 CFM at 0 PSI; 150 PSI max; 100% duty cycle at 100 PSI
Compressor max amp draw	21 A
Compressor dimensions	9.25 in x 4 in x 6.5 in
Tank	Kleinn 6350RT, 3.0 gallon steel, black epoxy exterior, Cortec anti-corrosion lining, 200 PSI rated
Tank ports	Six 1/4 in NPT and one 1/2 in NPT
Pressure switch	P/N 2151, 110 PSI on / 145 PSI off
Safety release valve	P/N 52175, 175 PSI
Fill time	2 to 5 minutes to approximately 150 PSI per the install guide
Wiring	P/N 6858 10-gauge XL wiring kit with relay, loom and horn button
Bracket	USTL-10 spare tire bracket plus two USTL-20 tank brackets, black powder-coated steel
Tire inflation claim	”Up to 35 in tires” in Kleinn’s comparison chart; other Kleinn copy says 33 in and 37 in
Shipping weight	29,030 g (about 64 lb) per the live listing’s variant data
Power source	12 V vehicle electrical system feeding an onboard air tank
Warranty	1-year limited defect warranty to the original purchaser
Price	$1,089.95 at Kleinn; $1,034.99 at AmericanTrucks

A note on the dB figure. Kleinn’s kit listings and its retailers all quote 153.3 dB for the USTL-230, while Kleinn’s own Model 230 product page publishes 155.1 dB at 150 PSI, rising to 156.9 dB with the optional 6885 upgrade. Neither number comes with a measurement distance. Our guide to advertised versus real train horn dB explains why numbers above 150 dB should be read as marketing figures rather than lab results.

What’s in the box

Kleinn’s live listing breaks out the USTL-230 contents by variant. The kit includes:

• Model 230 ABS black triple train horns on a flat rack, with VX-6003 brass heavy-duty solenoid
• Kleinn 6350RC 100% duty cycle 150 PSI waterproof air compressor with remote-mount air filter and snorkel intake line
• Inner-coated anti-corrosion steel 3-gallon air tank (6350RT) with drain valve, 175 PSI safety valve and 2151 pressure switch
• USTL-10 universal spare tire bracket and two USTL-20 tank brackets with hardware
• 12 ft of 1/4 in heavy-duty high-pressure air line and fittings, plus two 2 ml tubes of Kleinn “Juice” thread sealant
• 24 ft heavy-duty tire inflation hose with quick-connect fittings and an illuminated tire gauge with clip-lock chuck and pressure release button
• 1/4 in NPT male quick-connect coupler and the Model 1302 coupler relocation kit (12 ft of 1/4 in air line, fittings and a mounting bracket)
• 10-gauge wiring kit (P/N 6858) with heavy-duty relay, split loom, horn button and installation hardware

Kleinn’s install guide budgets about 15 minutes for the compressor, 30 for the tank and 15 for the horns on the bench, excluding wiring. AmericanTrucks estimates about one hour total with light to moderate mechanical skill.

Pros

• No fabrication, no drilling into the frame. The cradle hangs from the factory spare tire winch, so the hardest part of most train horn installs is already solved.
• Real onboard air, not just a horn. The 6350RC is rated for 100% duty cycle at 100 PSI and 2 CFM, and the kit ships with a 24 ft inflation hose, gauge and quick-connect coupler for tires and light air tools.
• Complete spec disclosure on the air side. Kleinn publishes the compressor’s CFM, amp draw, dimensions, fill rates, the switch cut-in and cut-out points, and the tank’s port layout, which is more than most kit makers offer.
• Corrosion planning for underbody life. The compressor is fully sealed and waterproof, the tank has a Cortec internal lining and epoxy exterior, and the bracket is powder-coated steel.
• Expansion headroom. Six 1/4 in NPT ports plus a 1/2 in NPT port on the tank leave room for air lockers, air suspension or a second coupler.
• Documented install. Kleinn posts a 22-page revision D install guide with two layout options, and its own YouTube channel has a USTL install video.

Cons

• The dB claim is unverifiable. Kleinn quotes 153.3 dB on the kit page and 155.1 dB on the horn page, with no test distance for either.
• ABS trumpets at a $1,090 price. The stainless steel Model 730 horn is reserved for the USTL-734, which costs $1,369.95.
• You lose your spare tire. Kleinn’s listing states in capitals that the kit requires removing the spare from the stock location, and the guide offers no alternative spare mount.
• One-year warranty. Kleinn’s extended two-year coverage applies only to the 6450 and 6650 compressors and 730 horns, none of which are in this kit.
• 1/4 in air line. The 734 kit gets 1/2 in max-flow line; the 230 runs 1/4 in tubing to the horns, which Kleinn’s own 6885 upgrade kit exists to fix.
• Not for every truck. Kleinn excludes chassis cab frames with service boxes or flat beds, and tire inflation claims vary from 33 to 37 inches across Kleinn’s own copy.

Alternatives

• Kleinn HK7 Beast Triple Train Horn Kit ($839.95). Same Model 230 horn, same 6350RC compressor and 3-gallon tank, but with no mounting cradle, so you fabricate or find your own locations. Kleinn sells the bare USTL bracket for $429.95, which makes the USTL-230 about $180 cheaper than buying HK7 plus bracket. Read our Kleinn HK7 review.
• Kleinn USTL-734 ($1,369.95 in black). Same bracket with the stainless Model 730 Demon horn, the 200 PSI 6450RC compressor and 1/2 in air line. Kleinn rates it for tires up to 39 inches and gives the 730 horn and 6450 compressor a two-year warranty.
• HornBlasters Conductor’s Special 228H. A four-bell ABS horn on a 2-gallon, 150 PSI air system for buyers who want to spend less and will mount the components themselves. Read our Conductor’s Special 228H review.

For a Kleinn horn that keeps your spare tire on a specific GM platform, see our Kleinn GMTRK-1 review, and for the standalone horn used in this kit see our Kleinn 230 review.

Install / compatibility notes

Vehicle fit. Kleinn calls the kit universal for most full-size trucks with an under-bed spare tire winch. The install guide has no vehicle list; instead it tells you to lower or remove the spare, then check whether your truck has an inner tire shroud. Trucks without the shroud use layout 1, trucks with it use layout 2, and the compressor can sit inside or outside the bracket depending on which one applies. Chassis cab trucks with service boxes or flat beds are excluded. AmericanTrucks lists the same kit on F-150, Ranger and Canyon pages with a “some adaptation may be required” note, so measure your cavity before ordering for a mid-size truck.

Mounting sequence. Everything is bench assembled first: compressor and filter onto the bracket, fittings into the tank, tank brackets bolted with the 7/16 in-14 hardware pack, then the bracket over the tank, then the horns and solenoid. On the vehicle you lower the winch cable, insert the metal flange into the bracket’s center hole, hoist the assembly until its arms rest on the crossbars and confirm the winch tension holds it. Kleinn warns the assembly is off balance while hoisting and recommends keeping it level.

Electrical. The kit ships with a 10-gauge wiring kit and relay; the relay has dedicated holes on the bracket. The compressor draws up to 21 A, so plan a proper fused power run to the battery and a clean ground. Our relay wiring guide and amp draw and fuse sizing guide cover the basics. Kleinn notes that factory upfitter switches can be used to trigger the horn if your truck has them.

Air system behavior. The pressure switch starts the compressor at 110 PSI and stops it at 145 PSI, and the guide says a first fill to about 150 PSI should take 2 to 5 minutes. Kleinn’s 6350RC page lists a 2.5-gallon tank recovering from 110 to 150 PSI in about 59 seconds, so expect a bit longer on the 3-gallon tank here. The guide also says not to exceed 150 PSI in the system, that thermal overload protection resets after 30 minutes if tripped, and that the tank should be drained monthly or every 10 hours of compressor use. See our pressure switch explainer and onboard air uses guide for how to get more from the air side.

Clearance. Kleinn asks for at least 1 in of clearance behind the mounting location so the pressure switch can be installed and wired. Our where to mount a train horn guide covers the trade-offs of under-bed placement.

Legality. A 150-plus dB claimed horn on a public road is regulated in most states. Check our state legality pages before you wire it to anything other than a momentary button.

Sources

• Kleinn — Universal Spare Tire Location Train Horn Kit (live listing, USTL-230 variant) — $1,089.95 price, in-stock status, kit contents by variant, SEMA award claim, bolt-on and no-drilling claims, 6350RC/6350RT component names, 230 vs 734 comparison chart (1/4 in line, 35 in tire claim), USTL-734 $1,369.95 and bracket-only $429.95 pricing, warranty text, 64 lb shipping weight
• Kleinn — Universal Spare Tire Location Train Horn Kit, Model 230, New Open Box — KL USTL-230-NOB part number, $871.96 clearance price against $1,089.95, sold-out status, 153.3 dB claim, 37 in tire claim, Tucson bracket manufacturing, 1-year warranty on reboxed units
• Kleinn — Universal Spare Tire Location Train Horn Kit, Model 230, Scratch & Dent — KL USTL-230-SOD part number, $817.46 clearance price, sold-out status
• Kleinn — Model 230 “The Beast” ABS Triple Train Horns — 155.1 dB at 150 PSI and 156.9 dB with 6885 upgrade, ABS trumpets with zinc alloy drivers, VX6003 solenoid, rack dimensions, trumpet lengths, 2.5-gallon minimum tank, 6885 upgrade kit
• Kleinn — Model 6350RC Waterproof 150 PSI Air Compressor — 2 CFM, 100% duty at 100 PSI, 21 A max, 9.25 x 4 x 6.5 in, 11 lb shipping weight, oil-less sealed design, fill-rate table, 2151 switch and 52175 safety valve pairing
• Kleinn — Model 6350RT 3-Gallon Air Tank — 3.0 gallon steel construction, Cortec lining, black epoxy finish, six 1/4 in and one 1/2 in NPT ports, 200 PSI max
• Kleinn — USTL-230 Install Guide PDF (Revision D) — parts list (52835 drain valve, 52175 safety valve, 2151 switch 110/145 PSI, 6858 wiring kit, USTL-10 and USTL-20 brackets), two-layout shroud check, chassis cab exclusion, hoist procedure, 2 to 5 minute fill time, 150 PSI limit, 30-minute thermal reset, maintenance intervals, 1 in clearance note, install time estimates, warranty terms
• AmericanTrucks — Kleinn Universal Spare Tire Location Train Horn Kit with Model 230 Triple Horn (USTL-230) — $1,034.99 retail price, one 5-star customer review, “some adaptation may be required” fitment note, about one hour install estimate
• Diesel Power Products — Kleinn Air Horns 230 Universal Spare Tire Location Train Horn Kit — $1,089.95 retail price, 153.3 dB claim, 6350RC compressor and 3-gallon tank confirmation
• YouTube — Kleinn USTL Install: Train Horn Where Your Spare Tire Goes (Kleinn Automotive Accessories) — manufacturer install video referenced in the Pros section
• Kleinn — Model HK7 “Beast” ABS Triple Train Horns / Onboard Air Kit — HK7 $839.95 price, 150 PSI and 3-gallon configuration used in the Alternatives comparison
• HornBlasters — Conductor’s Special 228H Train Horn Kit — four-bell Shocker XL ABS horn, 2-gallon 150 PSI air source unit used in the Alternatives comparison

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