- +Complete air system in one box: 1.5-gallon tank, 150 PSI compressor, pressure switch, gauge, solenoid valve, hose, fittings and horn button
- +All-metal, triple-chrome-plated trumpets instead of the ABS bodies on many budget kits
- +1.5-gallon tank beats the 1-gallon units in some competing triple kits
- +Tank rated to 200 PSI while the system cycles at 150 PSI, a sensible safety margin
- +149 dB claim at least sits below the 149.4 dB ceiling independent testing found on a real K5 locomotive horn
- +Archived kit price was below the cost of buying the horn and air kit separately
- −No test distance for the 149 dB rating; a 2026 brand roundup puts Viking's entry kits at 110 to 125 dB in practice
- −Brand storefront is offline and the domain redirects elsewhere, so warranty and parts support are doubtful
- −Listed as currently unavailable on Amazon and sold out on eBay as of September 2026
- −No relay, fuse or wiring harness included for the 16 A compressor
- −One owner report on the 101C-3 family flags an early pressure-switch failure, and an independent review questions the longevity of the unbranded compressor
- −50% duty cycle and roughly two-minute refill limit rapid repeat blasts
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 17, 2026. Viking Horns’ storefront at viking-horns.com no longer serves the brand’s catalog as of this date (the domain now redirects to unrelated third-party sites), so the official spec sheet for the V101C-3/1007 comes from Wayback Machine snapshots of the product page (September 2023 and November 2024), plus archived pages for the V1007 horn, V1003AT tank, V101C compressor and compressor-and-tank kit that correspond to this bundle’s components, and Viking’s archived warranty policy. We cross-checked against the Amazon and eBay listings, an independent third-party review of the 101C-3 family, a 2026 brand roundup, and HornBlasters’ published decibel guidance. Every external source appears in the Sources section at the end.
Quick verdict
The Viking Horns V101C-3/1007 is a complete, chrome three-trumpet air-horn system that bundles a 1.5-gallon tank, a 150 PSI compressor, a pressure switch, a gauge and a horn button for what was, on the archived official page, a $271.55 list price. We rate it 3.2/5. Its 149 dB rating is at least below the physical ceiling that independent testing has found for real locomotive horns, which makes it more believable on paper than Viking’s 152 to 170 dB siblings, but the number comes with no test distance, and third-party commentary puts Viking’s entry-level kits far lower in real use. The bigger problem in 2026 is availability and support: the brand’s own site is gone, and both the Amazon and eBay listings show the kit as unavailable or sold out. It is a fair value if you find one at the old price, and a hard pass at any premium.
What it is
The V101C-3/1007 is Viking’s chrome-trumpet version of its entry-level 1.5-gallon triple kit. The black-trumpet twin sells under the V101C-3/1007B model number, and Amazon lists this chrome kit under the same V101C-3/1007 model number. Per the archived product page’s “Product Includes” list, the bundle pairs two Viking catalog items: the V1007 “Extremely Loud 149 dB” chrome three-trumpet horn and the V1003AT 1.5-gallon, 200 PSI tank. The V101C prefix in the kit’s model number matches Viking’s standalone 150 PSI compressor, which the brand also sold bundled with the same tank as the V101C/1003ATK kit.
Three chrome-plated metal trumpets of graduated length sit on a common base with an electric solenoid valve. An onboard 1.5-gallon tank, charged by a 12-volt compressor, feeds the valve. Press the included horn button, the solenoid opens, and the tank dumps through all three trumpets at once for a three-note chord. The kit is aimed at pickups, SUVs, RVs and boats with a 12-volt electrical system and roughly a cubic foot of free space for the tank and compressor. For a primer on how the tank, switch and valve interact, see our guide on how train horns work.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | V101C-3/1007 (Viking SKU V101C-3/1007-FBM) |
| Sound output | 149 dB (manufacturer claim; test distance not disclosed) |
| Trumpets | 3, metal, triple chrome plated, common mounting base |
| Horn (standalone) | Viking V1007 |
| Compressor | Viking V101C, 12 V, 16 A, 150 PSI, 50% duty cycle, maintenance-free |
| Compressor dimensions | 9-1/2” L x 4” W x 6-3/4” H |
| Tank | Viking V1003AT, 1.5 gallon (6 L), 5-port, heavy-gauge steel, rated to 200 PSI |
| Tank dimensions | 17” L x 7-1/2” H x 5-1/2” diameter |
| Pressure switch | 120 PSI on / 150 PSI off |
| Gauge | 0-240 PSI |
| Air valve | 12 V electric solenoid, supplied with the horn |
| Air line | 1/4” OD high-pressure hose with compression fittings |
| Trumpet dimensions | Not disclosed |
| Chord frequencies | Not disclosed |
| Shipping weight | 23 lb (Amazon); 22.4 lb (eBay) |
| Power source | Onboard air (12 V compressor and tank) |
| Warranty | 1 year limited, plus 30-day satisfaction guarantee (archived Viking policy) |
| Archived list price | $271.55 (Viking site, September 2023 and November 2024 snapshots) |
| Availability (September 2026) | Amazon “currently unavailable”; eBay “sold out”; brand site offline |
- Claimed output
- 149 dB, distance not stated
- Air system
- 1.5 gal tank, 150 PSI, 16 A compressor
- Cycle
- 120 on / 150 off PSI switch
- Kit weight
- About 23 lb
What’s in the box
Per the archived Viking product page and the Amazon listing for this kit, plus the archived page for Viking’s matching V101C/1003ATK compressor-and-tank kit, the V101C-3/1007 ships with:
- V1007 chrome three-trumpet air horn with electric solenoid air valve and mounting hardware
- V101C 12-volt, 150 PSI heavy-duty air compressor with a 1/4” male-thread braided leader hose and air filter assembly
- V1003AT 1.5-gallon (6-liter), 5-port steel air tank with mounting hardware
- 0-240 PSI air pressure gauge
- 120 on / 150 off PSI pressure switch
- Compression fittings for 1/4” OD air line and a length of high-pressure hose
- Teflon thread-seal tape and mounting hardware
- Horn button (Viking calls it a free add-on)
What is not in the box matters just as much. Neither Viking’s page nor the Amazon listing mentions a relay, an inline fuse or a wiring harness for the compressor, and the independent TrainHorns.us review of the 101C-3 family specifically calls out that a wiring kit is not included. An owner quoted in the same review says the supplied hose is not long enough to go any real distance and that extra high-pressure line cost about $16 per 10 feet at the time.
Pros
- Truly complete air system for the money: tank, compressor, switch, gauge, valve, hose, fittings and button all ship together
- All-metal, triple-chrome-plated trumpets rather than the ABS bodies common on the cheapest kits
- 1.5-gallon tank is larger than the 1-gallon units in some competing triple kits, so you get more than one full blast per charge
- Tank is rated to 200 PSI while the system cycles at 150 PSI, leaving a sensible safety margin
- 149 dB claim, while unverified, sits below the 149.4 dB ceiling HornBlasters measured on a real K5 locomotive horn, unlike Viking’s 152 to 170 dB siblings
- Kit-level price was below the cost of buying the V1007 horn and the V101C/1003ATK air kit separately on the archived site
Cons
- No test distance or PSI stated for the 149 dB rating; a 2026 brand roundup puts typical real-world output of Viking’s lower-end kits at 110 to 125 dB
- Brand storefront is offline and the domain redirects elsewhere, so warranty and parts support are doubtful
- Amazon lists the kit as currently unavailable and eBay as sold out as of this review, so you may only find it used or from third-party resellers
- No relay, fuse or harness included; you must build the compressor circuit yourself
- One owner report on the 101C-3 family describes a pressure-switch failure in the first week, and the independent TrainHorns.us review questions the longevity of the unbranded compressor
- 50% duty cycle and a 16 A draw mean roughly two minutes to refill the tank from empty, per the independent TrainHorns.us review
Alternatives
- Viking Horns V101C-3/307B is the black-trumpet, 152 dB-rated variant with the same 1.5-gallon tank and 150 PSI compressor. Its powder-coat finish resists corrosion better than bare chrome, but its dB claim is even less believable. See our V101C-3/307B review.
- Vevor 4-Trumpet 6L 150 PSI kit gives you four stainless trumpets, a gauged 1.6-gallon tank and a pre-mounted compressor for roughly $126, less than half the archived Viking price. Read our Vevor 4-trumpet 6L review.
- Vixen Horns VXH3318B is a black all-metal triple horn for builders who already own an air system or want to pair it with a better compressor. Our VXH3318B review covers it. For a brand-level comparison, see Vevor vs Vixen vs Viking.
- If you want a kit with a lifetime manufacturer’s-defect warranty on the horns and a company that is still in business, the HornBlasters Conductor’s Special 232 costs about three times as much but removes most of the unknowns on this list.
Install and compatibility notes
The V101C-3/1007 is a universal-fit 12-volt kit. Nothing in it is vehicle-specific, so fitment comes down to space and wiring.
- Find a cubic foot of room. The tank alone is 17 inches long and 5-1/2 inches in diameter, and the compressor adds a 9-1/2 by 4 by 6-3/4 inch footprint. The independent TrainHorns.us review of the 101C-3 family puts the total at just over a cubic foot, which rules out most compact cars. Our guide on where to mount a train horn on a truck covers frame-rail and bed-side options.
- Wire the compressor through a relay. Viking rates the compressor at 16 amps, and its archived page describes a simple two-wire hookup, but that is the motor’s own leads, not a complete circuit. Run it through a 30 A relay with an inline fuse on a dedicated battery feed. Our relay wiring guide and amp draw and wire gauge guide show the layout.
- Plumb the tank. The V1003AT has five ports. Use one for the compressor leader hose, one for the pressure switch, one for the gauge, one for the horn feed and cap or drain the fifth. Viking supplies compression fittings for 1/4” OD line; use the included Teflon tape on every NPT thread. See what size air line for a train horn.
- Mount the trumpets pointing forward and slightly down. Chrome bells will pit if water sits in them. The solenoid valve is on the horn base, so keep the horn-to-tank line short to preserve blast punch.
- Wire the button. The included horn button switches the 12 V solenoid on the horn. If you would rather trigger it from the factory horn pad, our activation options guide explains the relay-splice method.
Expect the 120/150 PSI switch to cycle the compressor for roughly two minutes after a full dump, per the independent TrainHorns.us review of this horn family. Because the compressor is rated for a 50% duty cycle, repeated back-to-back blasts will heat it and can trip its thermal protection, which we cover in compressor duty cycle explained. For cold climates, drain the tank regularly; the winter prep guide explains why.
How loud is it really?
Viking publishes 149 dB with no distance. HornBlasters, which tests at both 3 feet and 100 feet, says the loudest horn it has ever measured is a genuine Nathan K5 locomotive horn at 149.4 dB at 3 feet, and calls claims of 160 dB or more “either fraudulent testing methods or complete fiction.” So Viking’s 149 figure is at least plausible as a bell-opening peak, which is more than can be said for the 152, 162 and 170 dB numbers on its other kits. A May 2026 brand roundup nonetheless estimates that Viking’s lower-end kits typically produce 110 to 125 dB in practice, noticeably louder than a factory horn but well short of premium 140-plus dB systems. An owner quoted in the TrainHorns.us review of the 101C-3 family describes the horn simply as very loud, so the practical takeaway is that this kit is loud enough to startle, not loud enough to match its label. Our guide on advertised vs real-world decibels explains why the gap is so common in this price bracket.
Sources
- Viking Horns — V101C-3/1007 product page (Wayback Machine, November 2024) — 149 dB claim, 12 V / 16 A / 150 PSI compressor, 1.5-gallon (6 L) tank, chrome-plated metal trumpets, included horn button, $271.55 price, SKU V101C-3/1007-FBM, kit gallery photos
- Viking Horns — V101C-3/1007 product page (Wayback Machine, September 2023) — earlier snapshot with the same $271.55 price, SKU V101C-3/1007, and the “Product Includes: V1007 horn + V1003AT 1.5 gallon 200 PSI tank” breakdown
- Viking Horns — V1007 chrome three-trumpet horn (Wayback Machine, September 2024) — horn-only listing: 149 dB, triple chrome, solenoid valve, compression fitting, hose and hardware included, requires onboard air, $76.01
- Viking Horns — V1003AT 1.5 gallon 200 PSI air tank (Wayback Machine, November 2024) — 5-port, 6-liter, heavy-gauge steel, 200 PSI rating, mounting hardware included, $72.09
- Viking Horns — V101C 150 PSI air compressor (Wayback Machine, May 2024) — 150 PSI, works with up to 5-gallon tanks, two-wire hookup, maintenance-free, $145.16
- Viking Horns — V101C/1003ATK compressor and 1.5 gallon tank kit (Wayback Machine, December 2024) — 0-240 PSI gauge, 120 on / 150 off PSI switch, 50% duty cycle, 1/4” compression fittings, Teflon tape, air filter, tank and compressor dimensions, $213.25
- Viking Horns — Warranty policy (Wayback Machine, April 2024) — 1-year limited warranty, 30-day satisfaction guarantee, buyer pays return shipping
- Amazon — Viking Horns 3 Trumpet Train Air Horn Kit V101C-3/1007 — 149 dB, 12 V 16 A 150 PSI compressor, 1.5-gallon tank, triple chrome plating, 240 PSI gauge, 120/150 PSI switch, model number V101C-3/1007, 23 lb item weight, 3.7/5 from 28 ratings, “currently unavailable” status
- Amazon — Viking Horns V101C-3/1007B black 3-trumpet kit — black-trumpet sibling model number, 3.7/5 from 14 ratings, “currently unavailable” status
- eBay — Viking Horns 3 Trumpet Train Air Horn Kit V101C-3/1007 product page — 149 dB, MPN V101C31007, 22.4 lb weight, “currently sold out” status
- HornBlasters — Train horn decibels explained: why fake ratings mislead buyers — 149.4 dB Nathan K5 ceiling at 3 feet, 3 ft and 100 ft testing standard, position on 160+ dB claims
- Granite Grok — Best train horn brands reviewed (May 2026) — 110 to 125 dB typical output and budget positioning for Viking’s lower-end kits
- TrainHorns.us — Viking Horns 101C-3 review — 16 A draw, about 2-minute refill, no wiring kit, just over one cubic foot of space needed, unbranded compressor; quoted owner comments on short hose and ~$16 per 10 ft extra line, one first-week pressure-switch failure, and loudness
- YouTube — viking train horns ford f250 (Jesse11803) — owner demo of a Viking multi-trumpet kit installed on a Ford F-250
- YouTube — Viking train horn quick review after unboxing (roger pitchford) — owner unboxing and first impressions of a Viking kit
Train Horn Hub aggregates publicly available data. We do not test products in-house. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
A fair-value, all-metal budget triple for truck and SUV owners who can find one near the archived $272 price and are comfortable wiring their own relay; with the brand's site offline and retailers out of stock, most buyers should look at a Vevor or Vixen alternative instead.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
- How loud is the Viking Horns V101C-3/1007 really?
- Viking rates it at 149 dB but does not publish a test distance, so the number cannot be verified or compared with brands that test at 3 feet. A 2026 brand roundup estimates Viking's lower-end kits typically produce 110 to 125 dB in real use, while an owner quoted in an independent review of the 101C-3 family describes it simply as very loud.
- What is the difference between the V101C-3/1007 and the V101C-3/1007B?
- They are the same 1.5-gallon, 150 PSI kit with different trumpet finishes. The 1007 has triple-chrome-plated trumpets and the 1007B has black trumpets. Amazon lists both under their Viking model numbers, V101C-3/1007 and V101C-3/1007B.
- Does the V101C-3/1007 come with everything needed to install it?
- Almost. The kit includes the three-trumpet horn with solenoid valve, a 12 V 150 PSI compressor, a 1.5-gallon tank, a 120/150 PSI pressure switch, a 0-240 PSI gauge, air line, compression fittings, Teflon tape, mounting hardware and a horn button. It does not include a relay, inline fuse or wiring harness for the 16 A compressor, so budget for those.
- Is the Viking Horns V101C-3/1007 still available?
- As of September 2026 the Amazon listing shows it as currently unavailable, the eBay product page shows it sold out, and Viking's own website no longer serves its catalog. You may find it through third-party resellers or used, but factory warranty support is uncertain.
- How long does the 1.5-gallon tank take to refill?
- An independent review of the 101C-3 family puts the refill at roughly two minutes from empty. The compressor cycles between 120 and 150 PSI and is rated for a 50% duty cycle, so it needs rest time after repeated blasts.
