- +Four triple-chrome metal trumpets for about $75-$78
- +12V solenoid comes pre-fitted, plus 1/4" hose and mounting hardware
- +Compact 4-1/2"-high cluster with four published mounting locations
- +4.2/5 average from 86 Amazon ratings
- −149 dB claim has no test distance or PSI
- −No published chord frequencies, PSI range, weight or solenoid draw
- −Horn only, so a compressor and tank are extra
- −Viking's own store is offline, and warranty returns are limited to three months
- −Published overall length is shorter than the longest trumpet
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: October 9, 2026.
The Viking Horns website at viking-horns.com no longer carries the brand’s catalog. As of this review the domain redirects to an unrelated site. Viking’s official spec sheet for the V003A therefore comes from two Wayback Machine snapshots of the product page (September 2023 and January 2025), which match each other. We also used Viking’s archived warranty policy and FAQ. We cross-checked these against the live Amazon listing (ASIN B0170EA43G) and used HornBlasters’ published decibel guidance for context. Every external source is listed in the Sources section at the end.
Quick verdict
The V003A is a horn only, not a kit. You get four triple-chrome-plated metal trumpets on a shared base, a 12-volt solenoid, air hose and mounting hardware. It sells for about $75-$78. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to add a four-trumpet chrome cluster to a vehicle that already has onboard air. The 149 dB headline is published with no test distance and no operating PSI, and Viking discloses no chord frequencies or weight. Treat the loudness number as marketing, not measurement. Our editorial rating is 3.3/5: fair value and a compact layout, held back by thin specs and a brand whose own store has gone dark.
What it is
Viking Horns sold the V003A as “Powerfully Loud 149 dB. Chrome Four Trumpet Air Horn” (SKU V003A, later listed as V003A-FBM). The archived product page says the horn is made entirely of metal and triple chrome plated to stand up to weather. It is aimed at buyers who “have limited space in the engine compartment”. Viking lists four mounting options: on the roof, under the hood, under the vehicle’s carriage, or between the radiator and front bumper facing down. Target vehicles are cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs and boats.
The key detail is in capital letters on both Viking’s page and Amazon: the V003A requires an on-board air system to operate, meaning a compressor and an air tank. Nothing in the box makes air. If you don’t have onboard air yet, budget for a compressor, tank, pressure switch and wiring on top of the horn price, or look at a complete kit instead (see Alternatives).
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model / SKU | V003A (also listed as V003A-FBM) |
| Amazon ASIN | B0170EA43G |
| Format | Horn only (no compressor or tank) |
| Trumpets | 4 |
| Advertised sound level | 149 dB (test distance not disclosed) |
| Operating PSI | Not disclosed |
| Chord frequencies | Not disclosed |
| Overall dimensions | 12-1/4” long × 13-3/4” wide × 4-1/2” high (as published) |
| Trumpet lengths | 13-3/4”, 11-1/2”, 9”, 7-1/2” |
| Bell diameter | 3-3/4” each |
| Material | Metal, triple chrome plated |
| Valve | 12 V electric solenoid (included) |
| Air line | 1/4” air hose (included) |
| Weight | Not disclosed |
| Power source | Onboard air (compressor + tank, sold separately) |
| Price | $77.48 on Viking’s archived store; $74.95 on Amazon (Oct 2026) |
| Amazon customer rating | 4.2/5 from 86 ratings (Oct 2026) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (original purchaser) + 30-day satisfaction guarantee |
A note on dimensions: Viking lists the longest trumpet as 13-3/4” but the overall length as 12-1/4”. The 13-3/4” “wide” figure probably describes the cluster’s longest side. Measure your mounting space against the 13-3/4” trumpet before you buy.
What’s in the box
According to Viking’s archived product page and the Amazon listing, the V003A ships with:
- Four triple-chrome-plated metal trumpets on a common base
- 12 V heavy-duty electric air valve (solenoid), pre-fitted to the horn
- 1/4” air hose
- Mounting hardware (bolts, nuts and washers shown in Viking’s photos)
Not included: an air compressor, air tank, pressure switch, gauge, relay, horn button or wiring. Viking’s FAQ also says the company does not offer installation.
Pros
- Low price for four metal trumpets. About $75-$78 buys a full quad cluster.
- Solenoid included. The 12 V valve comes already mounted, so you only need to run air and one switched power lead.
- Compact footprint. At 4-1/2” high, with four published mounting options, it was designed for tight engine bays and under-body installs.
- All-metal, triple-chrome construction. Viking specifically markets it as able to withstand all weather conditions.
- Decent buyer feedback. The Amazon listing averages 4.2/5 across 86 ratings, which is solid for a budget horn.
Cons
- Unqualified 149 dB claim. No test distance and no PSI are given, so the number can’t be compared with properly tested horns.
- Thin spec sheet. No chord frequencies, operating pressure range, weight, port size or solenoid current draw are published.
- Horn only. It needs a separate compressor and tank, which can easily cost more than the horn.
- Brand support is uncertain. Viking’s own store is offline, and warranty claims under its archived policy must be returned within three months of purchase.
- Confusing dimension listing. The overall length is shorter than the longest trumpet, so you’ll need to measure fitment yourself.
How loud is “149 dB” really?
Viking gives the V003A one number: 149 dB. That is suspiciously close to the figure HornBlasters cites as the loudest properly measured train horn, the Nathan Airchime K5 at 149.4 dB at 3 feet. That horn is a genuine five-chime locomotive horn that costs many times more than the V003A. A four-trumpet budget cluster with 3-3/4” bells landing within half a decibel of a K5 is not plausible under the same test conditions.
This doesn’t mean the V003A is quiet. Four metal trumpets on adequate air pressure are very loud on the street. Without a published distance, pressure and test method, though, the 149 dB figure is best read as a marketing label, not a comparable measurement. For a fuller explanation, see our guide to why train horns differ in loudness and our loudest train horn roundup.
Alternatives
- Viking Horns V101C 4-trumpet kit: If you don’t have onboard air, Viking’s own four-trumpet kit bundles trumpets with a 150 PSI compressor and a 1.5-gallon tank, so one box covers everything.
- Vixen Horns VXH4114 4-Trumpet (Chrome): The closest like-for-like rival. It’s another all-metal chrome quad at a similar price with the same unverified 149 dB headline, and it rates slightly higher in our review.
- United Pacific 46130 Chrome 4-Trumpet: A bigger, more expensive chrome quad (under $200) with the solenoid pre-fitted and a 150 PSI rating disclosed. It suits semi and heavy-truck owners.
For a step up from Viking’s bigger four-trumpet horns, see our review of the Viking V103C-5/310 kit. You can browse every Viking model on our Viking Horns hub.
Install / compatibility notes
The V003A is a straightforward horn-only install, provided the air side is already sorted:
- Air supply. You need an onboard air system: a 12 V compressor, an air tank, a pressure switch, and ideally a gauge and safety valve. Viking doesn’t publish a recommended PSI for this horn, so size the system using our compressor buying guide and PSI explainer.
- Mounting. Pick a spot that keeps the bells pointed slightly down or sideways so water drains out. Viking lists roof, under-hood, under-carriage and behind-bumper positions. Allow for the 13-3/4” longest trumpet.
- Air line. Run the included 1/4” hose from the tank to the solenoid inlet. Keep it away from exhaust heat and moving suspension parts.
- Wiring. The solenoid is a 12 V device. Trigger it through a fused circuit with a relay and a momentary button rather than from the stock horn circuit alone. Viking doesn’t publish the solenoid’s current draw.
- Test. Bring the tank up to pressure, check every fitting for leaks with soapy water, then test in a safe, legal location.
On 24 V trucks, the included 12 V solenoid would need replacing with a 24 V valve. Viking’s listing covers 12 V only. Before you wire it to your factory horn, check your state’s rules on aftermarket air horns in our train horn legality guide. For a full walk-through, see how to install a train horn.
Sources
- Viking Horns — V003A Chrome Four Trumpet Air Horn product page (Wayback Machine, January 2025) — 149 dB claim, triple-chrome all-metal construction, mounting locations, 12 V solenoid and 1/4” hose, overall and trumpet dimensions, onboard-air requirement, $77.48 price, SKU V003A-FBM, product photos
- Viking Horns — V003A product page (Wayback Machine, September 2023) — earlier snapshot confirming the same 149 dB claim, $77.48 price and SKU V003A
- Viking Horns — Warranty policy (Wayback Machine) — 1-year limited warranty to original purchaser, 30-day satisfaction guarantee, three-month return condition
- Viking Horns — FAQ (Wayback Machine) — no installation service, tech support contact
- Amazon — “Viking Horns” V003A Chrome 4 Trumpet Loud 149 Decibels Train Air Horn — current $74.95 price, 149 dB, triple-chrome metal trumpets, 12 V heavy-duty solenoid, included hose and hardware, onboard-air requirement, model number V003A, 4.2/5 from 86 ratings
- HornBlasters — Why fake decibel ratings mislead buyers — Nathan Airchime K5 measured at 149.4 dB at 3 feet as the loudest-horn benchmark
Train Horn Hub aggregates publicly available data. We do not test products in-house. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
A cheap, compact chrome quad for drivers who already run onboard air and want four metal trumpets for under $80. Buy it for the price and layout, not the unverified 149 dB headline.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
- Does the Viking V003A come with a compressor or air tank?
- No. The V003A is horn only. It includes four chrome trumpets, a 12 V solenoid, a 1/4" air hose and mounting hardware. Viking and Amazon both state that it requires an onboard air system (compressor and air tank) to operate.
- How loud is the Viking V003A?
- Viking and Amazon advertise 149 dB, but neither gives a test distance or operating pressure. For context, HornBlasters cites 149.4 dB at 3 feet for the Nathan Airchime K5, so treat the V003A figure as a marketing claim rather than a comparable measurement.
- What PSI does the V003A need?
- Viking does not publish an operating or maximum PSI for the V003A. Most buyers pair horns like this with a 12 V onboard air system and a pressure switch. Use the compressor and tank makers' ratings to set your system pressure.
- How big is the V003A, and where can I mount it?
- Viking lists the overall size as 12-1/4" long × 13-3/4" wide × 4-1/2" high, with trumpets of 13-3/4", 11-1/2", 9" and 7-1/2" and 3-3/4" bells. It can go on the roof, under the hood, under the vehicle, or between the radiator and front bumper facing down.
- What warranty does the Viking V003A have?
- Viking's archived policy gives the original purchaser a 1-year limited warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, plus a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Defective items must be returned within three months of purchase with proof of purchase. Viking's own website is now offline, so plan on handling problems through the retailer you bought from.
