Topic: Truckin, Whats up with the trucks?

[aintfoolin]

Yes , In fact here in the U.S. trucks may outnumber cars on the road here now. If you include The countless SUVs which I think just about every family owns some form of  these days.  Even though we own cars, the SUV has become the main attraction. The vehicle of choice.  Some of them are very  l uxurious, boasting the latest perks in technology such as map tracking devices and computerized extras built in such as TVs and vidio games, CD players etc.! ( the Lincoln Navigator and the Escalde made by Cadillac) are examples) They're practically houses on wheels now days. Maybe you've seen some of them driven by celebbrities, which contributes to their popularity.  Of course these vehicles are very high maintenance, especially if something in the computer goes wrong. You pay out the ass for repairs and being the gas guzzlers that they are,  people are having a hard time keeping the tanks full. Everyone in my own family owns some form of one.

[jackster]

Of course these vehicles are very high maintenance, especially if something in the computer goes wrong. You pay out the ass for repairs and being the gas guzzlers that they are,  people are having a hard time keeping the tanks full. Everyone in my own family owns some form of one.

I'd have to respectfully disagree. I don't own one (did once), but I think you'll find with many, especially the Lincoln and Cadillac cited, whatever maintenance, either scheduled (typically every 10K miles or once a year) or unscheduled is entirely covered by warrenty at no charge for the first four-five years, no matter what goes wrong. Compare this to Ennis's old GMC which would require ten-times the number of oil changes, that's 50 quarts of old dirty oil thats gotta go somewhere. And not all SUVs are gas guzzlers, Ford and Honda make hybird (gas/electric) versions and will soon be joined by others. And of course "guzzler" is kind of relative, those old trucks driven by Ennis and Jack got about the same mileage (or worse), around 15-18 mpg, than most of todays biggest SUVs with fuel injection, etc. And don't even begin to think about what's coming out the tailpipe in terms of hydrocarbons and particulates. Those old bangers may be real cool as romantic images but if everyone who's driving an SUV today was in a '66 Ford pick-up we'd be choking to death! Sorry if this sounds like a rant, I just hate to see cars (old or new) get dumped on 'cause people make stupid decisions, it's not the cars fault.

[BBBOY]

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This is just too f**kin funny! 

[jackster]

Yes , In fact here in the U.S. trucks may outnumber cars on the road here now.

Very true.
Most folks don't know it, but for over a decade the Ford F-150 pickup (the modern equivilent to what Jack drove) has been the single largest selling vehicle on the face of the planet, bar none. That's not just USA, that's everywhere.

jackster

[BBBOY]

Yes , In fact here in the U.S. trucks may outnumber cars on the road here now.

Very true.
Most folks don't know it, but for over a decade the Ford F-150 pickup (the modern equivilent to what Jack drove) has been the single largest selling vehicle on the face of the planet, bar none. That's not just USA, that's everywhere.

jackster

You sound like a Ford commercial friend. I used to have my company yard down the road from where they assemble the F-150's in Norfolk, VA. Been a Ford man my whole life. Not that I drive a pickup. Right now I got a slick little Focus hatchback. 

[bram]

Yes , In fact here in the U.S. trucks may outnumber cars on the road here now.

Very true.
Most folks don't know it, but for over a decade the Ford F-150 pickup (the modern equivilent to what Jack drove) has been the single largest selling vehicle on the face of the planet, bar none. That's not just USA, that's everywhere.

jackster

I believe it, my Dad and I both drive F-150s. His is a 2006 and mine is a 1983, both are up and running and were also the cheapest trucks we could get our hands on that had everything we needed. Oh, and those commercials I see several times a day; "Ford F-150, the official truck of Texas!"

[aintfoolin]

Maybe our "humble commander in cheif drives one while vacationing? Huh? did I say that? DON'T get me started please.

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

If'n I had the money, I would have a pickup truck and a decent car.

[welshwitch]

I've never understood the American fascination with pickups - what do you put in the back? Is it some sort of frontier hang-over? I could never quite get my head around what were evidently wealthy people in Texas going round in pickups. Something to do with cars not being a status symbol or class marker in the US as they are in England?

[aintfoolin]

 Well, aside from the obvious utility uses trucks provide ( American men I think spend half their lives in Home Depot!, a building chain of stores here in the states where you can buy any type of constuction  materials for the do-it-youself crowd) . I am starting to see driving these monstrocities as a trend. Judging from what I see in the parking lot at my job, the bigger the truck, the bigger the man.
It's ego-tripping in a lot of cases, with actual songs written about this.  It goes:" I Met All My Wives In Traffic Jams" " There's Something Women lLke about a Pick-up Man"!  believe it or not!!! and the famous " She Thinks my Tractor's Sexy ". Men and their toys are one in the same in some cases. An extension of themselves.
 Some men by into this but that's freedom of choice. A status symbol on the road now,  pure muscle. It's "now a get out of my way, I own the road "type attitudes that go along with this in some cases. Only in America. I love it!

[jackster]

I've never understood the American fascination with pickups - what do you put in the back?

If you don’t do anything they’re a waste. But if you're involved in any type of building, construction, remodeling, lawn care, major gardening, hunting, hauling, motorcycles, camping, animal feeding, moving, catering, shipping, delivery, or biking they’re incredibly handy. Three mountain bikes, helmets, backpacks and a cooler no problem. Eight Arborvitae, a balled Oak tree, and 200 lbs. garden mulch, no problem. Not to mention, like automobiles of 50 years ago, they are much easier to get in and out of than a car if you’re over 5’5” (and over 50 ). Some are ridiculously large, that’s just stupid and egotistic.

WW I guarantee, if you lived in Wyoming, worked and lived on a ranch you’d drive one, maybe a small one, but a pickup  . Your life would be too restricted without it. I borrowed my business pickup just today to clean out an old house of used lumber, old paint, wallboard, junk furniture and to carry yard tools back and forth. There’s no way I could do that in my little Audi.

They don’t make much sense in the city, but a lot of suburbanites drive ’em. I guess Europe is so urbanized now no one works or plays outdoors anymore (just kidding, I was in pretty little Lullworth Cove, Dorchester in May lots of space). A lot of men have ‘em in the US cause the family has two cars; the wife drives the minivan (with the kids) so hubby drives the truck. Single men drive ‘em and some single women. Few married couples would have only a pickup (except Ennis and Alma I guess).

[boo_boo]

I live in a small rural community in Texas & just about every guy here drives a pickup.  They are extremely useful.  I just called my friend in Dallas & had him come over so I could borrow his truck to haul an antique dresser I bought.  My dad has always owned pickups, that's what I learned to drive in!  They also are good for hauling trailers, boats, campers, etc.

I love a man in a pickup truck! Extra points if he's wearing wranglers & a cowboy hat!

[manhattangirl]

If you don’t do anything they’re a waste. But if you're involved in any type of building, construction, remodeling, lawn care, major gardening, hunting, hauling, motorcycles, camping, animal feeding, moving, catering, shipping, delivery, or biking they’re incredibly handy. Three mountain bikes, helmets, backpacks and a cooler no problem. Eight Arborvitae, a balled Oak tree, and 200 lbs. garden mulch, no problem. Not to mention, like automobiles of 50 years ago, they are much easier to get in and out of than a car if you’re over 5’5” (and over 50 ). Some are ridiculously large, that’s just stupid and egotistic.

WW I guarantee, if you lived in Wyoming, worked and lived on a ranch you’d drive one, maybe a small one, but a pickup  . Your life would be too restricted without it. I borrowed my business pickup just today to clean out an old house of used lumber, old paint, wallboard, junk furniture and to carry yard tools back and forth. There’s no way I could do that in my little Audi.

They don’t make much sense in the city, but a lot of suburbanites drive ’em. I guess Europe is so urbanized now no one works or plays outdoors anymore (just kidding, I was in pretty little Lullworth Cove, Dorchester in May lots of space). A lot of men have ‘em in the US cause the family has two cars; the wife drives the minivan (with the kids) so hubby drives the truck. Single men drive ‘em and some single women. Few married couples would have only a pickup (except Ennis and Alma I guess).

I had to laugh when I read this part, I'm only 4'9 and when I took my teenage son to the New York car show I couldn't reach the steps of some pickups they are so large.  My son who is a even 6'0 begged me not even to look at hummers.   I think it was embarrassing for him to see me try to climb in one, I swear I would need a hook and some rope. 

[jackster]

My son who is a even 6'0 begged me not even to look at hummers.   I think it was embarrassing for him to see me try to climb in one . . .

Much agreed. Of course a Hummer, (or Dummer as some call 'em) like other SUVs, ain't no pickup.

[aintfoolin]

I wonder what would have happened if Ennis could'nt fix Jack's truck when he did?  Jack pulled the truck into the lot facing the wall. When we see it again , it's facing out towards the road. Jack must've started it after they got paid,, backed it out, then it died right where they stood, then Ennis fixed it. Oh the possibilities.  Damn you Ennis!!

[tpe]

I wonder what would have happened if Ennis could'nt fix Jack's truck when he did?  Jack pulled the truck into the lot facing the wall. When we see it again , it's facing out towards the road. Jack must've started it after they got paid,, backed it out, then it died right where they stood, then Ennis fixed it. Oh the possibilities.  Damn you Ennis!!

Or could it be a blooper?  I had always assumed that the truck died when Jack reached Signal at the start of the movie.  But what you say here is also plausible...

[jackster]

aintfoolin':

This is a common misperception and was even cited in the IMBd website as a goof until I corrected them. In fact the truck was actually parked down the street from Aguirre’s trailer for the summer (he didn’t want that old thing parked in his lot!). When Jack pulls out of the lot at the end of summer (just before spying Ennis in the rearview) he pulls out from two doors further down the street. You can tell that the building he is parked in front of is not the same one that is adjacent to Aguirre’s trailer. It all makes sense when looked at in slo-mo detail. His truck was parked there for the summer and would be hard to start the first time because the fuel in carburetor had dried up.

What I’ve never understood is why didn’t Jack offer Ennis a ride? “Hey, handsome goin’ my way?” It sure would have been worth a try, I know I would have. But maybe Jack felt kinda’ put down by the “Alma and me’s getting’ married in November” comment and couldn’t bring himself to drag this thing out.
 

[aintfoolin]

Thanks Jackster for clearing this up. I'll have watch it again for perspective. Yeah I always wondered why Jack never offered Ennis a ride too, but like you said maybe Jack just did'nt want to prolong the inevitable any longer. Ennis had made it clear what his intentions were.  He still had the truck when ,true to his word, he returned the next summer. Sturdy little monster this truck. My father owned 2 of them. With his cars, it was Chevys, with his trucks? Always Fords.

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

I did notice that the truck wasn't in front of Aguirre’s trailer.  As for Jack offering a ride, I assumed it was offered (at some point prior to this scene) and Ennis said no.

[BBBOY]

I did notice that the truck wasn't in front of Aguirre’s trailer.  As for Jack offering a ride, I assumed it was offered (at some point prior to this scene) and Ennis said no.

In the SS they both had trucks. I think the movie just took some dramatic license

[tpe]

aintfoolin':

This is a common misperception and was even cited in the IMBd website as a goof until I corrected them. In fact the truck was actually parked down the street from Aguirre’s trailer for the summer (he didn’t want that old thing parked in his lot!). When Jack pulls out of the lot at the end of summer (just before spying Ennis in the rearview) he pulls out from two doors further down the street. You can tell that the building he is parked in front of is not the same one that is adjacent to Aguirre’s trailer. It all makes sense when looked at in slo-mo detail. His truck was parked there for the summer and would be hard to start the first time because the fuel in carburetor had dried up.

What I’ve never understood is why didn’t Jack offer Ennis a ride? “Hey, handsome goin’ my way?” It sure would have been worth a try, I know I would have. But maybe Jack felt kinda’ put down by the “Alma and me’s getting’ married in November” comment and couldn’t bring himself to drag this thing out.
 

Thanks, jackster.  This makes perfect sense.  But how could he have moved the truck when it refused to start?  I suppose Ennis helped him out with this and they got it out of the way by some temporary means...

For me, Jack didn't offer a ride because he probably assumed that this was how Ennis wanted it to be.  Plus, he was already probably expecting rejection here, given that he was already rejected twice before this.

Recall that when Jack offered him a loan, Ennis refused it rather sharply.  And the second rejection was when Jack asked whether he was doing this again this summer.  I think that "coded" in this question was the underlying and more important question: "Do you want to see me again?"  Ennis understood the nature of the question, and he said "No".  It clearly disconcerted Jack, and it is understandable that he would just try to leave without offering a ride.

[jackster]

. . . . But how could he have moved the truck when it refused to start? 

The key here is figuring out when the truck was parked there. Not much is explained or shown in the movie, and even less in the SS. An early screenplay had them sleeping in the truck the first night. (That could have made for a whole different movie - FNIT- First Night In the Truck!!!) My timeline has been that Aguirre had them move the truck down the street later that first day or early the second day before they headed out to the mountain. So at the end of summer, when they came back, the truck was still sitting where Jack had backed it in at the begining of summer, two doors down the street. It refused to start without Ennis playing with it - just as Ennis had refused to start without Jack playing with him!! (bookend!)

For me, Jack didn't offer a ride because he probably assumed that this was how Ennis wanted it to be.  Plus, he was already probably expecting rejection here, given that he was already rejected twice before this. . . . . It clearly disconcerted Jack, and it is understandable that he would just try to leave without offering a ride.

All sounds plausible to me, still makes my heart ache though . . . :\'(