Faxing/Office Set Up On A Truck

Hey guys... Something I havent seen much talk about is having all office capabilities portable and on a truck. I will be leaving to get my CDL in the next 2 months and want to have everything I have at home in a portable office version -specifically fax capabilities. I am looking for specific information not general such as...

1.what do you use- (make and model numbers)

2.how are you powering it- (make and model)

3.& how are you keeping a WIFI connection going without accessing a cell phone for a modem.

I have found very vague information so I decided to as the experts. Having a the capabilites to scan documents and fax them is an absolute must for me and I dont want to do it on my phone by taking photos. Thanks yall, and happy truckin. Melissa

Hey guys... Something I havent seen much talk about is having all office capabilities portable and on a truck. I will be leaving to get my CDL in the next 2 months and want to have everything I have at home in a portable office version -specifically fax capabilities. I am looking for specific information not general such as...

1.what do you use- (make and model numbers)

2.how are you powering it- (make and model)

3.& how are you keeping a WIFI connection going without accessing a cell phone for a modem.

I have found very vague information so I decided to as the experts. Having a the capabilites to scan documents and fax them is an absolute must for me and I dont want to do it on my phone by taking photos. Thanks yall, and happy truckin. Melissa

If you have enough data on your plan and just don't want to tie up your phone, a hotspot is the answer. I pay an extra $10/month for mine, and it shares data from my plan. If your plan doesn't have a lot of data, you'll have to wait until you get somewhere with free wi-fi

But the scanner and free fax service is an answer to how to fax from the road. You scan the document as a PDF, upload it to the site, and they send it as a fax. They advertise on a cover page, but no big deal. I used it for years.

You may be able to simply email the PDF as well, and skip the fax entirely.

FreeFax

Mobile scanner

Hotspot

Melissa, are you just concerned with getting information in to your employer, such as paperwork for loads completed? Or are you thinking of doing some type of side business while out on the road where you need access to a fax? Every trucking company out there has a convenient way for you to send in your paperwork. Most of them are doing it with a simple to use phone app. Some of the ones who are not so up to speed still use scanners at the truck stops that are free to use (the driver pays no fee). If you are adverse to using the app your company will provide for your phone, you can still use the truck stop scanners. We may need more information on what it is you are wanting to accomplish, I can assure you there are very few of us who keep a fax machine or scanner in our trucks. I have seen a few people doing this, but it is rare.

My trainer just uses his phone Takes a picture, sends it in.

He has a Samsung Galaxy Note, or if you prefer? A Samsung Galaxy J9, same animal, except the Note comes with a stylus and place to store it. The J9 doesn't.

Both run about $650 ~ $900

I have an Horner 8 phone and Straight Talk. Service is $55/mo plus tax and fees. Comes to $60.47/mo. Unlimited service, data and everything. I can use my phone as a hot spot and talk and text at the same time. You can send and receive faxes for a fee at every major truck stop. Most companies have the driver's send their paperwork in via Transflo, there is an app for that or you can use it free at every major truck stop. I use my phone for most things. I also carry my lap top. Some people keep a scanner and printer on their trucks. Since most trucks have 110 power it is no problem to use these items. Once you're solo, you can set your truck up however you want.

Melissa, are you just concerned with getting information in to your employer, such as paperwork for loads completed? Or are you thinking of doing some type of side business while out on the road where you need access to a fax? Every trucking company out there has a convenient way for you to send in your paperwork. Most of them are doing it with a simple to use phone app. Some of the ones who are not so up to speed still use scanners at the truck stops that are free to use (the driver pays no fee). If you are adverse to using the app your company will provide for your phone, you can still use the truck stop scanners. We may need more information on what it is you are wanting to accomplish, I can assure you there are very few of us who keep a fax machine or scanner in our trucks. I have seen a few people doing this, but it is rare.

Hi, Thank you for the info. After a traumatic event happened in my life a few years ago I qualified and received 5 years of subsidized housing. They require a ton of information be reported- a ridiculous amount-if you ask me- but nonetheless I am required to report a slue of otherwise nonsensical information. They run an extremely archaic program in terms of technology. They have none. Everything is a paper file with a paper receipt. I cannot email them either. I can turn documents in in person, by mail, or by fax. Fax is the only thing I trust when I am away. I don't want to be paying per page (its not just a few pages) on a fax service from my phone having to try to take pictures of otherwise shotty forms that are packed with info and almost impossible to take clear pictures of. Having to stop to fax large stacks of information is not what I want. I am a do it now type of person so I'm not really wanting to have to drag things out and wait for a stop and hope the machine works or face any other possible problems. As you stated it is rare to have this but you have seen it. I know it exists and I hope someone can answer my question.

If you have enough data on your plan and just don't want to tie up your phone, a hotspot is the answer. I pay an extra $10/month for mine, and it shares data from my plan. If your plan doesn't have a lot of data, you'll have to wait until you get somewhere with free wi-fi

But the scanner and free fax service is an answer to how to fax from the road. You scan the document as a PDF, upload it to the site, and they send it as a fax. They advertise on a cover page, but no big deal. I used it for years.

You may be able to simply email the PDF as well, and skip the fax entirely.

FreeFax

Mobile scanner

Hotspot

Hi and thanks for your answer. I do have a hotspot. Its not reliable enough for me and always way to slow. I am a get it done now person who doesn't want to be held up by technology if I can help it. I need an actual portable Wi-Fi system. I will continue my research and I'll be sure to post how I've set up my portable office system once complete. Thanks again, Have a great rest of your day. Melissa

My trainer just uses his phone Takes a picture, sends it in.

He has a Samsung Galaxy Note, or if you prefer? A Samsung Galaxy J9, same animal, except the Note comes with a stylus and place to store it. The J9 doesn't.

Both run about $650 ~ $900

Yes both are great phones... I have an LG G6 ThinQ so it is capable yes... But the housing authority I will be sending information too makes it difficult. I need to scan and fax until 2021 and then I am free from their ridiculousness lol

If you have enough data on your plan and just don't want to tie up your phone, a hotspot is the answer. I pay an extra $10/month for mine, and it shares data from my plan. If your plan doesn't have a lot of data, you'll have to wait until you get somewhere with free wi-fi

But the scanner and free fax service is an answer to how to fax from the road. You scan the document as a PDF, upload it to the site, and they send it as a fax. They advertise on a cover page, but no big deal. I used it for years.

You may be able to simply email the PDF as well, and skip the fax entirely.

FreeFax

Mobile scanner

Hotspot

Hi and thanks for your answer. I do have a hotspot. Its not reliable enough for me and always way to slow. I am a get it done now person who doesn't want to be held up by technology if I can help it. I need an actual portable Wi-Fi system. I will continue my research and I'll be sure to post how I've set up my portable office system once complete. Thanks again, Have a great rest of your day. Melissa

I have never had an issue with my Verizon hotspot. I had AT&T and when I went home to TN (in the northeast tip in the mountains) I couldn't even make a phone call. With Verizon, I could call, and the hotspot ran 4 phones, my tablet, and 2 laptops nicely.

Pilot/Flying J have free Wi-Fi inside and for $100.00 per year you can use their paid Wi-Fi out side. The paid one can be weak and spotty. When OTR there are a few areas you will go with zero signal. I could easily have a fax machine in the passenger seat or on the floor next to me and if it could fax over WiFi, I could fax as needed. I can turn my hot spot on and update my GPS while driving down the road. I was with Sprint and hated them for OTR. Verizon has the largest coverage area and is the most expensive. AT&T has almost the same coverage as Verizon but costs a little less. I have and love Straight Talk. It is sold at Walmart and run by Tracphone. They use the AT&T network.