- +Complete bolt-on package: four chrome trumpets, 3-gallon tank, 200 PSI compressor, valve, gauge and fittings in one box
- +All-metal chrome-plated trumpets look the part and resist corrosion better than ABS
- +Big 3-gallon, 6-port tank holds enough air for several long blasts before the compressor catches up
- +170/200 PSI pressure switch and 200 PSI compressor give it real low-pitch authority
- +Widely stocked on Amazon, Walmart and resellers, so finding one is easy
- −Advertised "162 dB" is published with no test distance and is far above plausible real-world output
- −No chord frequencies (Hz) and no honest sound data are disclosed anywhere
- −User reports flag a cheap horn button and budget-grade solenoid as the first parts to fail
- −Only a 12-month limited warranty backs a fairly large air system
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 June 5, 2026. For the Viking Horns V103C-5/310 we pulled specs from the Amazon and Walmart listings, the desertcart product page, and the Viking Horns product listing, then cross-checked the decibel claim against independent reporting on how train-horn loudness is actually measured. Every number below traces back to a source listed at the end.
We’ve relied on the manufacturer’s product page and the retailer listings that carry the kit, and we note where a number is advertised rather than independently verified.
Quick verdict
The V103C-5/310 is a complete, inexpensive 4-trumpet air-horn kit that earns a 3.4/5 from us. It bundles everything a first-time installer needs — four chrome trumpets, a 3-gallon tank, a 200 PSI compressor, an electric valve, a gauge and fittings — and it genuinely sounds like a freight locomotive when the tank is full. What keeps it out of the top tier is acoustic honesty: the “162 dB” splashed across every listing has no published test distance and sits well above what a kit like this can physically produce at the curb. Buy it for the hardware and the low-pitch presence, not for the number on the box.
What it is
The V103C-5/310 is a universal-fit train-horn system aimed at trucks, SUVs, RVs, pickups and boats. “4-trumpet” means four chrome-plated metal horns of graduated length mounted on a common manifold, fed by an onboard air system rather than a self-contained electric horn. Air builds up in the 3-gallon tank via the 12V compressor; when you hit the button, an electric solenoid valve dumps tank pressure through the trumpets to make the sound.
This is the chrome version in Viking’s lineup; the company also sells visually similar black-trumpet variants (the V103C-5/310B and the 311-series) and lower-compressor versions like the V101C-5/310. It’s squarely a budget-to-midrange kit — more horn than a compact under-hood unit, but built to a price rather than to the standard of a HornBlasters or Kleinn system.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 4 chrome-plated metal trumpets on a common manifold |
| Sound output (advertised) | 162 dB (test distance not disclosed) |
| Realistic output | ~110-125 dB range for this class of kit (see below) |
| Power source | Air tank + 12V compressor |
| Air tank | 3 gallon, 6-port |
| Compressor | 12V, 200 PSI, sealed/maintenance-free |
| Pressure switch | 170/200 PSI cut-in/cut-out |
| Air gauge | 240 PSI face |
| Horn dimensions | 15.5” L x 11.5” W x 12.5” H |
| Tank dimensions | 21” L, 7.5” H, 6.5” diameter |
| Compressor dimensions | 10.75” L x 4” W x 6.75” H |
| Material | Chrome-plated metal trumpets, metal tank |
| Shipping weight | ~36 lb |
| Warranty | 12-month limited |
| Price | ~$200-$400 depending on reseller (brand MSRP was ~$396) |
Note the gap between the advertised 162 dB and the realistic figure. Viking publishes a single decibel number with no measurement distance, which is the classic red flag our team writes about in Decibels Explained. A genuine 162 dB at the trumpet mouth would be in the territory of jet engines and physical pain; a 4-trumpet kit on a 3-gallon tank lands far lower once you measure at any honest distance.
What’s in the box
- Four chrome-plated metal trumpets on a manifold
- 3-gallon, 6-port air tank
- 12V 200 PSI maintenance-free air compressor
- 170/200 PSI pressure switch and 240 PSI air gauge
- Electric air valve (solenoid)
- Air hose, brass fittings and mounting hardware
- Horn button and installation instructions
It’s a true all-in-one kit — you don’t need to source a tank or compressor separately, which is the main reason budget buyers reach for it over a horn-only purchase.
Pros
- Everything needed for a bolt-on install ships in one box — trumpets, tank, compressor, valve, gauge and fittings.
- All-metal chrome trumpets look sharp and shrug off weather better than plastic horns.
- The 3-gallon, 6-port tank stores enough air for several long blasts before the compressor has to recover.
- A 200 PSI compressor paired with a 170/200 switch gives the kit real low-pitch, chest-thumping authority when the tank is charged.
- Stocked across Amazon, Walmart and many resellers, so availability is rarely a problem.
Cons
- The headline “162 dB” carries no test distance and is wildly optimistic for a kit of this size — judge it on presence, not the printed number.
- No chord frequencies (Hz) or honest acoustic data are published anywhere.
- Owner reviews repeatedly call out a flimsy horn button and an entry-grade solenoid as early failure points.
- Just a 12-month limited warranty backs a fairly substantial air system.
Alternatives
- Vevor 4-Trumpet — another budget 4-trumpet kit with a similar tank-and-compressor format; cross-shop it on price and included hardware, since the two are close competitors.
- Vixen Horns VXH3318B — a 3-trumpet alternative if you want a slightly more compact install and don’t need the fourth horn.
- Wolo 853 Philly Express — a name-brand option from a long-established US horn maker with more transparent specs, for buyers who value support over the lowest price.
For more Viking models and how this kit fits the lineup, see our Viking Horns review hub.
Install / compatibility notes
Because it’s a full air system, the V103C-5/310 needs three connections: a switched 12V feed to the compressor through the pressure switch, a ground, and a trigger wire to the solenoid via the supplied button. Plan space for the 21”-long tank — a truck bed rail, frame rail, or cargo area are common spots, and our where to mount a train horn guide covers angle and drainage. The trumpets at 15.5” long want a sheltered, downward- or rearward-facing position to keep water out.
A few practical pointers grounded in owner reports:
- Fuse the compressor properly and run it on a relay — the stock button is the weak link, so wiring the solenoid through a quality switch pays off.
- Mount the compressor away from road spray and add an inline drain to the tank; moisture is the enemy of any cheap compressor.
- The kit is universal-fit, not vehicle-specific — there are no plug-and-play harnesses, so budget time for routing and sealing.
If you’ve never done an air-horn install, our step-by-step install guide walks through the same tank-compressor-valve layout this kit uses.
FAQ
Is the Viking Horns V103C-5/310 really 162 dB?
No — at least not in any honest sense. The 162 dB figure is advertised with no test distance, and a 4-trumpet kit on a 3-gallon tank physically can’t hit that at the curb. Expect strong, freight-train-like volume in the realistic range for this class, but treat the printed number as marketing. We unpack why these claims are inflated in Decibels Explained.
Does it come with everything to install, or do I need to buy a tank and compressor?
It’s a complete kit. The box includes the four trumpets, a 3-gallon tank, a 200 PSI compressor, the pressure switch, gauge, electric valve, hose, fittings and a button. You supply wiring, a relay (recommended) and mounting time.
How loud is it compared to a stock vehicle horn?
Dramatically louder and much lower-pitched. Owners consistently describe it as sounding “like a real freight train,” and one bench-tested it at 150 PSI and felt the vibration in their body. Against a factory horn it’s not a fair fight — but that also means hearing protection and local-law awareness matter.
What’s the warranty and is parts support good?
Viking lists a 12-month limited warranty when properly installed. The upside is that the solenoid, button and fittings are generic air-system parts you can replace from third-party sellers, so keeping the kit running rarely depends on factory spares.
Is it a good first train horn for a truck?
For a budget-minded first build, yes — it’s affordable, complete and loud. Just go in expecting to upgrade the cheap button and possibly the solenoid, and don’t expect premium-brand support. Buyers who want disclosed specs and a living warranty should compare it against the Wolo 853 Philly Express.
Sources
- Amazon — Viking Horns V103C-5/310 4-Trumpet 162 dB kit — configuration, advertised 162 dB, included items, 3-gallon tank, 200 PSI compressor, dimensions
- desertcart — Viking Horns V103C-5/310 listing — 162 dB, 200 PSI compressor, 3-gallon 6-port tank, all-metal chrome construction, shipping weight
- Walmart — Viking Horns V103C-5/310 — retail availability and product description cross-check
- Viking Horns V103C-5/310 4-trumpet 162 dB product page — 170/200 PSI pressure switch, 240 PSI gauge, brass fittings/valve/hose contents, 12-month limited warranty, ~$396 MSRP, tank and horn dimensions
- Amazon — Viking Horns V101C-5/310 (sibling) — lineup cross-reference for chrome 4-trumpet variants and compressor differences
A loud, good-looking budget 4-trumpet kit that delivers genuine presence for the money — but treat the 162 dB headline as marketing and budget for a better button and solenoid down the road.