Poll: When/how do you use your horns?

Main Train Horns
1

While I am finishing a few projects prior to installing my horns, I came across some really nasty mindsets as I was on a Honda forum.

witness the following remarks:

[i]You are putting something in with the sole intention of scaring people who haven’t asked for it…what conclusion should we draw? I am not calling you any names but I don’t need to know anything else about you to at least start forming an opinion. I’m not comparing you to a terrorist but I don’t need to get to know them to be able to judge their character by their actions…same deal here. Now, if you aren’t going to use this like the people in the videos I would ask why bother putting it in and I just don’t buy that it will be used as you say. But if I’m wrong, I’m wrong.

Now that I’ve said that, not likely going to actually happen so use it in good health and hopefully you really will use restraint.[/i]

You’re an oven if you put this in your car

Totally unwarranted remarks but you can see how some view the horns.

But I also got some good advice:

[i]I’ve plumbed off roaders for air lockers and tire inflation. If you can’t mount the air compressor close to the battery, you will have to find someplace to secure in in the trunk. There may be enough room for the Viair compressor in the trunk “tray”, however you will need VERY thick wiring to power it. For the tank, I would remove the spare, and bolt it into place under the vehicle. That’s where I would guess you have enough space for the horns. And yes, while you are at it, you might as well plumb the car for tire inflation duties. Don’t skim on pressure switches and safety items.

How on earth you are going to stop kids playing with the switch to the Daddy train I have no idea…[/i]

So,

here’s my question: You’ve got horns. What kind and how are you using them? Do you use them with intent to scare and get a laugh? Do you actually use them in traffic? Or near the tracks or in the hills?

Please vote if you can more than once if it applies. Way I look at it, we horny people are just misunderstood!

2

^ They sound like they have been blasted a couple of times… Im sure if they did the blasting they would get a different impression on the whole horn game. Ill pretty much blast anyone minus little kids (dont know what they will do, run out in the street etc, and the elderly lol) Ive honked at the railroads, woods, tunnels, scared car guys at shows. so bottom line, Ill scare anyone lol.

3

i would vote for all of them, just depends on my mood.

I honk at all tracks usually and watch the cars stop.
I love how they sound in the wooded areas and cool air.
Honk at ppl that cut me off.
Scaring some people, not a whole lot.

4

My situation might be a little unique. I’ve installed my set on a company car that has logo’s phone numbers etc on it, so there’s a bit of obvious descretion that has to be kept.

Having only just joined the family of train-horn enthusiasts, I have to say I’ve got a bad itchy trigger finger but realistically wouldn’t sound it unless I’ve encountered some idiot on the road. Given the fact that I encounter plenty of idiots, I’m sure this thing will get plenty of use in years to come.

As to the scaring people, I think I’ll reserve that for those pretzels that ride two or three abreast on their pushbikes and dressed in spandex like its the freakin Tour de France. I don’t think I’ll be able to help myself.

5

Wow, talk about a bunch of cry babies … sounds like they need some Midol or a tampon to dry their tears.

Anyway, I honk my K3LA on all of the above.

Living in the Boise, ID area we have some folks that have transplanted from California that don’t know how to drive. They cut you off, tailgate, don’t or won’t use a signal, and those are prime candidates for a nice blast. I’ve also honked mine at a race track (Firebird Raceway in Eagle) and the crowd went wild. I’ve done scares, honked in the mountains (wow, talk about an amazing sound!), and have done the railroad tracks thing watching people fling their cell phones down looking for the train they missed because they were too busy texting or talking.

Kris

6

Any excuse to honk.
except:
Never near tracks.
Not around elderly or infants.
Not at people walking dogs.

It’s so ironic that a main reason for the horn was because of stupid people in traffic - so they won’t be so stupid, but now I find myself just wishing somebody would do something stupid. Kind of defeats the original purpose.

7

I’ll honk at almost anything except kids or old people. ANY excuse to honk really…:D:D

8

in my case, I’ve done the following:
*To scare off completely innocent people. -there are a lot of pedestrians that think they own the road not even looking if a car is coming at them.

*To ward off inconsiderate imbeciles. -there are so many inconsiderate (or just plain stupid) drivers over here. I use my horns at most for this purpose. mostly the semi horns. if they don’t respond then on with the shockers.

*Only for shows or meets. -people love my horns when we have meetups on a local car audio group. the people are used to loud noise so the horns don’t do as much damage to their ears as their super loud systems.

as for:
*Near the train tracks.
*In the woods or the hills, in the vast open.

no open tracks here. and I haven’t brought my car to the woods… yet. :wink:

I also agree the one with the harsh comment must have been honked at and spilled his milk.

9

That’s cool. Heck, I’m still trying to figure out who’s been blasting by me. Props go out to them!

That is actually what I am looking forward to on my trips upstate! The sound as it reverberates in the valleys.

Excellent. I nearly killed a flock of 30 of them when they decided to semi blow the light as I had the right of way. That deserves a MEGA BLAST. Inconsiderate tour de france wannabes are even worse than drivers and are truly asking for it.

True on the cry babies. it was funny b/c I began that thread on the Honda forum just asking about how to remove some of the interior fascia on the truck and I got a bunch of suberbious answers.

Why NEVER near tracks?

I’m fortunate to have to cross tracks 4 times a day.Plus the commute takes me through an area of cemetaries on both sides, once of which my wife’s Grandfather is buried in. Might as well salute him as well.

Add “near cemetaries( during off hours)” to the poll. :wink:

10

I admit I haven’t looked up the actual law. I remember reading that there are federal laws against honking at tracks or marked crossings or something.

It just seems like a greater offense than some ambiguous local law like a noise ordinance, disturbing the peace, criminal mischief, improper use of horn, etc…

I let a PERFECT opportunity go when a schoolbus full of kids stopped at a track and opened the door - listening for a train. OMG the restraint!

11

That’s what you get for posting on a HONDA forum! Expect nothing else…lol if you own a Honda.

I been flipped off countless times by guys in there hondas trying to race me on my 8800# truck don’t ask why, they just drive hondas and prius’es. But back on topic, I like to honk my horn in the country at animals and scare the he’ll out of em. Sometimes innocent Ppl on back roads but then drive off fast cuz each person has five guns in this great state. But I can honestly say the times I enjoy the most are when Ppl are in my lane, not paying attention to the red light or txting and driving.

12

Yup these horns wake the dead, “don’t do it near cemetarys”.

I gotta say tho some of the best missed opportunities are usually when I’m not driving my truck. That’s why I have decide to put a horn on my gfs corolla, and my work truck.

13

Off topic:

LOL, you get those idiots in their Honda’s too? Man I’ve roasted a couple of those idiots in my 6.7L 3500 (running stock right now) and damn do they pout like a 3 year old needing some time in the corner.

On topic:

Is there a link for the “not blowing horns near railroad tracks”? I’d like to hit up a train once or thrice and have it on video, but not at the expense of a federal violation.

Kris

14

I found the link that spurred my concern. It was questioned but not answered…
http://www.trainhornforums.com/showthread.php?t=2487

I have spent some time today looking for actual laws, but can’t find anything.

15

Hey now, not all Honda drivers are idiots lol I only drive one because it was cheap and probably gets 10 mpg or more than your 3500 lol

16

Hey, don’t knock my Pilot :slight_smile: it’s a good set of wheels. But with these smaller ones, they treat their stock cars like rice rockets.

As for blasting Texters and ppl on their phones, I should have added that to the poll. They deserve it MOST

But I gotta give respect to our fallen :slight_smile:

There is a youtube vid of that. But I dont see the logic behind the federal mandate.

17

I was going to vote for at least 3 of the 5 choices, but it only lets me vote once. As a result I ended up in the scaring anyone & everything category. lol

18

I don’t know about other states… but here is California’s Vehicle Code…

V C Section 27000 Horns or Warning Devices
Horns or Warning Devices
27000. (a) A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound. An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with, and use in conjunction with the siren on that vehicle, an air horn that emits sounds that do not comply with the requirements of this section.

(b) A refuse or garbage truck shall be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 100 feet or shall be equipped with an automatic backup device that is in good working order, located at the rear of the vehicle and that immediately applies the service brake of the vehicle on contact by the vehicle with any obstruction to the rear. The backup device or alarm shall also be capable of operating automatically when the vehicle is in neutral or a forward gear but rolls backward.

© A refuse or garbage truck, except a vehicle, known as a rolloff vehicle, that is used for the express purpose of transporting waste containers such as open boxes or compactors, purchased after January 1, 2010, shall also be equipped with a functioning camera providing a video display for the driver that enhances or supplements the drivers’ view behind the truck for the purpose of safely maneuvering the truck.

Amended Sec. 27, Ch. 945, Stats. 1997. Effective January 1, 1998.
Amended Sec. 2, Ch. 166, Stats. 2005. Effective January 1, 2006.

V C Section 27001 Use of Horns
Use of Horns
27001. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn.

(b) The horn shall not otherwise be used, except as a theft alarm system which operates as specified in Article 13 (commencing with Section 28085) of this chapter.

Amended Ch. 993, Stats. 1977. Effective January 1, 1978.

V C Section 27002 Sirens
Sirens
27002. No vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren except that an authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren meeting requirements established by the department.

Amended Ch. 723, Stats. 1979. Effective January 1, 1980.

V C Section 27007 Sound Amplification Devices
Sound Amplification Devices (PA Systems?)
27007. No driver of a vehicle shall operate, or permit the operation of, any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated upon a highway, unless that system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation. This section shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or vehicles operated by gas, electric, communications, or water utilities. This section does not apply to the sound systems of vehicles used for advertising, or in parades, political or other special events, except that use of sound systems on those vehicles may be prohibited by a local authority by ordinance or resolution.

Amended Ch. 538, Stats. 1989. Effective January 1, 1990.

19

:smiley:I use my Nathan P3 to say "Hello, good-bye, up yours, excuse me but u cut me off, hey I’m in this lane-didn’t you see me?..All this is proceeded by the Rail Road crossing sound of [COLOR=“Red”]Ding, Ding, Ding… I also put on my "Loco-motor-truck:D[/COLOR]