Printer and power inverters?

If you're printing more then 20-50 pages a week, a decent low-volume laser is the best way to go at home from an investment and supplies cost over a year (a mid point HP b/w laser is hard to beat for speed, cost, and lack of hassle)

But laser is probably not practical in a truck application. They do have significant power requirements initially. Haven't shopped durable compact ink jet printers in many years, but some are more cost-friendly and maintenance friendly then others. I prefer Canon ink jets.

Ink cartridges tend to dry out quickly if you don't use it often and they are too costly to throw away prematurely. The "cleaning cycle" on most is a 50/50 proposition if they get bad/dry enough. Avoid refilled cartridges and stick with OEM, and buy the largest capacity cartridge you can find if you print regularly. Also, stick with a black only system unless you really need color occasionally.

 

I have a number of items sent to me via email, text or fax, plus the unit scans. a small office right in the truck.

no waiting for permits or other paper work. need a copy of something. scan and done. office wants a BOL or POD. scan and send.

used to run DDL, needed a printer for that, now the rules on using a digital log have changed, for some, you dont need to print. still have it if need be.

 

The rules say you must carry a printer. And be able to print if asked.

In nevada, you're asked for you log book. Not your cell phone. Other states also ask for log book.

You still need a printer. And i sure as heck wouldn't be pushing my luck without it.

Nevada gave me a log book violation for not signing my log. Yesterday. And not having it available. ( don't remember the exact violation) But he asked for it and i printed it. It was digitially signed. What wasn't signed was the dvir, which is no longer required.

 

That rule changed in 2014. If you have a digital signature you do not have to print it. Rule: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/rulemaking/2014-15951. If you have a digital scan of your real signature that you can insert into the signature spaces of an approved electronic log, they technically cannot ticket you on that rule. (example: Eclipse Log on a laptop with digital sig)

I also agree with you that I would have a $69 printer on hand anyway. Hard drives crash, electronics get dropped or stolen, screen get broken. Keeping the last 7 days in a binder as a backup gives redundancy for sure.