Okay so I’m a newb at this, and I’ve read some of the installs folks have done and I see alot of them post that they “wished that they went big” their first time around. This is what I want to avoid. Now understand this isn’t really a “want” but more of a “need” for a good set of train horns. Well to be honest it’s both a “want” and a “need”, LMAO!!!
This time last year …
My wife wanted a toy hauler for camping and bringing 4 wheelers along for my two boys, 13 and 10, so I knew I needed a better truck to haul a 31 foot overall trailer. I just bought a '06 Dodge 2500 QC for my truck and figured out rather quickly I needed a long bed. We ended up trading in my wife’s truck, an '03 Dodge 3500 QC shortbed, and got a sweet deal on a '08 Dodge 3500 QC longbed with the manual tranny.
I’m still trying to figure out how the last two of three trucks I bought ended up being hers, but that is another story.
Fast forward to this summer …
I took my vacation last month and finally got to drive my new truck, but I also needed to get some warranty repairs done to the toy hauler. The truck drove great pulling the trailer but I found out the hard way that there are some nutjobs on the highway, too. So now I need a horn that says “Don’t cut me off scumbag !!”.
That and I don’t like the little itty-bitty compressor they installed for the airbag kit on my rear axle.
Since I’ve got a longbed and more room under the truck bed for the install, I’m looking to ditch the 2 gallon tank and “wanna-be” compressor with something I can run my airbags and a nice deep sounding set of horns which is why I’m looking at the K3LA and the K5LA.
So I’m looking for recommendations for compressors, tanks, etc., as I’ve got about 10 months before I get to go home again, unless I have someone local do the install.
The shocker horns have a “deeper” tone to them than a k3 or k5 … The shockers are going to be the loudest horn you can get untill u get into the nathans… dont get me wrong though they are both blenty loud to move someone out of the way…
another thing you could look into is the new hornblasters 100 watt pa/siren then you could just yell a them and tell them how stupid they are for cutting you off! lolol =D
hey marine! welcome to the boards. im taking it you are a marine by your name, so thanks for your service! my best friend leaves 10/12 for parris island…
back to your horns, most people are satisfied after getting a shocker kit… some are not… that is a decision you will have to make on your own. k3 or k5 is definitely if you want them to move or stop. lol so be careful how you use them.what ever it is you decide on that is great. im sure with all that cash you have saved upfrom deployment you will lean towards that k5!
Ahhh, the yellow footprints. That brings back memories.
I’m probably gonna get the 100 watt PA system anyways, but I really want the horns. Does someone have a sound clip of the K3’s or K5’s? I’d rather get the loudest set possible since they will be installed under my truck, along with the compressor and tank. The POS compressor I have now has to go, and the 2 gallon tank is okay but it’s not gonna be enough for a good set of horns pull my airbag kit.
get some k3’s or k5’s its your choice about the same volume, personally i like k5’s but i have k3’s lol a 5 series horn 8.5 gallon tank and 2 480c’s at 200 psi sounds like what you need
A K3 is deeper than a K5 plus it is louder (on paper). That’s what I would go with. Also, I wouldn’t run them at 200 psi… 145-150 is just as loud and won’t damage the horn. (this is a proven fact about 200 psi damaging them)
K3HA vs. S4. Comparison courtesy of 98 Snake Eater
The P3/P5 would also be a great a choice. They are tuned to be deeper than the K3/K5 and are almost as loud. All of these options are louder than the S4; they also cost more, so it really depends on how big you want to go. The K3L/K3LA is going to be the east of the Nathan horns to install.
IMHO a K5 is not worth the money…for the money spent on a K5 you can get 2 K3s… i have had plenty horns and the best bang for your buck is a k3la.an LA base is also easier to install… make sure u get 1/2"ID lines. a 1/2"vavle …8+gal tank…2comp…u will spend about a grand if you piece it together your self…buy used horns…its cheaper!
I know man, especially when its painted up all nice, but I think you would have to push a little more air to get it to sound mean like a k3. BIGMIKESOCAL on youtube did a comparison and the k5 was higher pitched.