A truck horn is one of the essential accessories for your truck. There are different types of vehicle horns available in the market. Choosing the right horn can be challenging. This guide will help you choose the best air horns for trucks and enjoy their many benefits.
How to Choose the Right Truck Air Horn
1. Sound – Decibels
Most truck and car owners buy air horns for their sound and tone. Even if you buy a compact design air horn, it should produce a good sound. The sound should be loud enough so that other motorists on the road can hear it and drive safely.
If the air horn's sound is too low, it might get lost in the heavy traffic sound or loud song noise. Similarly, if the sound is too high, it might startle other drivers on the road and compromise their safety.
If you go hiking or hunting, you can get a low-frequency horn. It will help scare predators, and you will have a clear pathway. When choosing one for your truck, you should ensure that it is audible even from a distance.
A good truck air horn is one that you can hear even from a distance. A high-frequency horn is an ideal choice for heavy duty vehicles. Trucks with air horns will be able to avoid close calls. The air horn will also keep other dangerous drivers on the road at bay.
2. Air Requirements
The general rule of an air system is that its loudness is dependent on the air pressure. Horns with higher air pressures will have a louder sound. You do need to remember that the loudness in sound will tend to flatten out at 150 decibels. If you upgrade the air horn to 1/2″ or 3/8″, you will be able to prevent the sound from flattening out.
The quantity of air stored in the air tank is a factor that will help determine how long the blast will hold. You will find out how long the blast will keep before you have to refill the tank.
For instance, if you have a one-gallon air tank filled to 150 PSI, you will be able to get a 4-5 second blast. After this, the air compressor will turn on to refill the tank. The calculation of all compressors' duty cycle ratings uses the least run time as a complete and off-cycle percentage.
Let us explain this simple concept through an example. If the air compressor has a 25% duty cycle, it will run for 15 minutes. After this, it will have to cool off for 45 minutes. The 15 minutes that the compressor ran is part of the 60 minutes (45+15) cycle.
Various things need to be taken into account when calculating the duty cycle. The size of the tank is one of the first factor you need to consider. A large tank will need a heavy-duty compressor. You can also take into account the frequency of use. The compressor will run more if you use the air horn frequently. If you plan to use the air systems for other things, you will need a good air compressor.
3. Sealed vs Non-Sealed Air
Installation of an air compressor in the wrong place is one of the most common reasons for an air horn system's malfunction. The most popular air horn kits include tank system and compressor.
The tank systems and compressor should always get installed in a dry and clean place. If you install them in a location exposed to water, dirt, and dust, it will damage the compressor. The damage is often not covered by warranties.
Sealed air systems offered by manufacturers help get over this problem. The different chambers of the compressor arrive sealed with gaskets. You can choose to install the closed air systems in the chassis of your truck.
The sealed compressors include hardware and tubing to install them in a clean place. As the compressors are already closed, water and other kinds of contaminants won't get access inside. Even though the sealed kits are expensive, they are worth the investment.
4. Design
Air horns are available in different sizes and styles. The design of some horns is small and compact, whereas others resemble a trumpet. The only common feature in all air horns is the round trumpeted end. It is the place from where the sound comes out.
The design of the air horn will determine the sound produced. The problem is you will not be able to hear the sound of the horns until you complete the installation process. For more information about the sound of the horn, read the manufacturer's manual or customer reviews.
5. Fit
Before you buy any air horn, you should ensure that it fits your heavy duty truck. Depending on where you want to fit the horns, you can determine whether it will fit your vehicle.
6. Power Connectivity
Air horns for heavy duty trucks will need power connectivity to work efficiently. It is due to this reason that the best air horns are available with a 12V outlet. The power comes from the battery of the truck.
In some instances, the air horns get connected to the steering wheel of the truck. The horn gets activated when you press a button. Heavy duty trucks use both pneumatic and electric air horns. Select them by pressing a button on the dashboard. It helps prevent the use of a powerful and loud air horn in residential areas.
7. Safety
The air horn is loud, and it will help alert people of your truck. It is handy in large trucks as other drivers can steer clear of your path and avoid accidents. You will be able to increase your safety and other drivers by alerting them of any trouble on the road.
8. Installation
Most air horns don't have a complicated installation process. If it is hard to install, you will find it hard to use. If you want to find out if an air horn is hard to install, it's best to read up on reviews before your purchase.
Types of Air Horns for Trucks
Low Frequency
An air horn will be able to produce sound waves at different frequencies. The length, girth, and size of the horns will determine the type of sound waves made. If you opt for a low-frequency air horn, it will only produce sound frequencies with a low pitch. Do remember that the sound will be loud and convincing.
A low-frequency air horn is often used in semi-trucks, cruise ships, and cargo freighters. It will help alert everyone about the approaching vessel or vehicle. The air horn produces a sound that travels farther, quickly, and effectively.
If you own a water vessel or a big truck or if you love driving the trails, a low-frequency air horn is the best choice.
High Frequency
High-frequency air horns are high pitched. The high-pitched sound of the horn is annoying to most people. The sound that these air horns produce is not adequate as it doesn't travel far. You might have to tap the horn many times if you want the sound to travel far. A high-frequency air horn is an ideal choice for small compact vehicles and sporting events.
Benefits of Air Horns
Multipurpose
An air horn is versatile. Use the horn in many different applications. Sporting enthusiasts can use the horn to cheer for their favorite team. Apart from this, you can choose to use the horn on shipping vessels for signaling and on ambulances for warning people to move aside.
Increases Safety
The air horn for trucks is loud. It will help alert people so that they can steer clear and avoid accidents. You can make use of the device to alert other drivers of anything dangerous on the road.
Frighten Aggressive Wildlife
When you go hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, and skiing, an air horn will frighten aggressive and unwanted wildlife. Most animals get scared by the loud noise produced by an air horn.
If you use portable horns, you hear the sound even from a distance. It makes it a useful tool to keep the animals away from your path.
The 5 Best Air Horns for Trucks
1. SUPER LOUD Compact Air Horn by Marco Tornado
The easy to install SUPER LOUD Compact Air Horn fits trucks, cars, and motorcycles. It is available with an air compressor for easy and quick installation. The unique design of the air horn enables you to install it wherever you want. Most truck owners install this compact design horn to replace the OEM horn of their vehicle.
The air horn made of plastic is durable. The all-black design of the horn suits all types of vehicles. The air horn gets tested in a lab before it gets released in the market. The testing ensures that it has passed the loudness test. It is one of the best horns for large vehicles.
The air horn's powerful compressor enables it to produce the most incredible sound level of 150 decibels. Clear instructions about the installation process make it easy to install. A one-year warranty provided by the manufacturer gives you complete peace of mind. You can buy this compact air horn with confidence.
If you get scared of getting too close to other drivers on the road, you can choose this air horn to maintain a safe distance. The loud sound output quality is excellent. It is much better than the standard air horns available in the market.
The manufacturer provides a detailed diagram on the back of the package, which shows how the air horn should get wired to the truck. You must choose an excellent place to install the horn. When you install the air horn facing forward, it will stop working in adverse weather conditions.
If looking for some serious volume from your air horn, you should choose one with a compressor. A compressor can provide a robust, loud sound. It will alert people that you are coming before you reach there.
Most compressors available in the market use an iron terminal, whereas the Gampro compressor uses a copper terminal. Cables made of copper are durable and will work well even in extreme weather conditions.
The Gampro air horn sports a black shade. It is entirely made of metal. It will not rust and be corrosion resistant even when exposed to heavy rain and snow. The air horn with compressor is capable of producing a loud sound of 150dB. It is an excellent sound for trucks and other vehicles and situations. Apart from big trucks, you can also choose to install the horn on small cars.
Gampro sends the installation hardware along with the air horn. It includes an inline fuse holder, a wired relay plug, and a manual. It makes the entire installation process easy. When using this air horn, you need to remember not to apply full pressure as it might scare everyone around.
It is best to use the horn only when you require it. The air horn will fit any 12V vehicle – a truck, car, bus, boat, SUV, motorcycle, or yacht.
The Zento air horn is one of the most efficient in its category. The horn blasts out a powerful and loud warning. The air horn made of high-quality chrome produces a loud sound than the plastic horns available in the market.
You can install the trumpet air horn in cars, trucks, tractors, and vans. You can also choose to install it on boats and motorcycles. The Zento air horn is easy to install and uninstall. You can choose to install it in different vessels and vehicles.
The air horn will help warn drivers and other pedestrians and animals on the road. The horn can be mounted on any vehicle with 12V power. The Zento horn is available with a small compressor. It means you don't need an air system to operate the air horn. All that you need is power connectivity.
The air horn is available with the necessary mounting hardware. It enables you to install the horn easily. The quality of the horn is excellent, and this makes it durable. The powerful horn has a noise level of 150dB.
The trumpet horn will help alert pedestrians and keep reckless drivers away from you on the road. As the horn produces a powerful, loud sound, it is to be used with caution. Truck drivers should avoid using the horn in areas with hospitals and schools.
The single horn is constructed using premium quality materials. It ensures durability and maximum strength and lasts long. The air horn made of sturdy materials will be able to withstand extreme weather conditions. The shiny chrome horn and red compressor are eye-catching.
The black trumpet horn is one of the most compact air horns available in the market. The unique design of the air horns exceeds in performing the task it was created. The sound output is powerful and is enough to catch the attention of everyone on the road.
The simple single trumpet design is an ideal choice for performance-oriented truck drivers who prefer quality and safety. The sound level of the horn is 105 – 118dB. You will need a 12V DC for the horn to work efficiently.
The trumpet horn is reliable and will sound like nothing else on the road. The loud sound of the horn is guaranteed to get the attention of aggressive road users. It ensures your safety on the road.
The state-of-the-art design of the trumpet horn will meet the high expectations of the customers. The sporty design of the horn features makes it corrosion resistant.
The Kleinn dual trumpet air horns have a powerful and distinct sound. The single trumpet air horn is used in trucks and trains. The chrome finish gives the train horns a unique look. The dual trumpet horn system has a 150 PSI sealed air system. The train horn is powerful.
The dual trumpet size is 10.5 inches and 15.5 inches long. The mounting brackets make it easy to install the train horn. The train horns on trucks are mounted separately, and this enables them to produce a powerful sound.
Do wash your hands after you handle the cord of the dual trumpet air system. The cable is made of lead, and constant exposure to this material is known to cause health problems.
Tips to Choose the Best Air Horns for Trucks
Our Top Pick
The best air horns for trucks are available in different styles and sizes. The best air horn for a truck is SUPER LOUD Compact Air Horn by Marco Tornado. The Super Loud Marco Tornado is the preferred choice as it is durable and provides the best value for money. It is also the right choice if you are concerned about your safety.