Help settle a debate

Did a fishing trip w/ a friend, afterward we disagreed on the cost of fuel. We are not sweating the $ but we each think the other is wrong and need some impartial opininons.

We leave w/ a full tank of gas in the truck that he paid for. Filled up on way out (me), again while there (him) and close to home (me). Truck was a little off full when got home like 1/8 down.

I say we used 3 full tanks of gas (plus the 1/8 topoff at end that was needed) and should have split the full tank close to home plus the top off.

He says we used 4 tanks of gas (plus the topoff) since he paid for the intial tank of gas and we are good cause we each paid for 2. I said you don't count the first tank because if the truck is returned full at the end.

Its not a big deal, just curius as to the right way to figure out the costs. What do you guys sayeth?

Re: Help settle a debate

whose boat is it? the other guy pays for the gas.

start with a full tank, fill up as needed, when returned home fill up . split what was bought on the trip. as the driver started with a full tank, and now has a full tank.

Re: Help settle a debate

It depends on who bought the beer.

Re: Help settle a debate

We each have a boat and do trips with each to different places that we split the gas evenly on. So your saying that the gas he used to fill up the tank to start trip doesnt factor in because he has a full tank at the end, which is what I suspected.

I'll mention this thread to him so he can give his opinion.

Re: Help settle a debate

Before starting any trip the tow vechical and boats are filled, paid for by the owner.
At the end of the trip the tow vechical and boat are filled again leaving the owner exactly where he started, full tanks.

If I understand you correctly 3-1/8 tank fills were used during the trip. The total fuel bill (3-1/8 tanks) is then split.

Re: Help settle a debate

Yep. 3 and 1/8 tanks.

His logic is flawed.
The initial fill up, was gas to replace gas used when he was driving to work and the grocery store.

If he wants to do it that way, just make sure your truck's tank is sucking fumes before the initial fill up, and you will come out ahead.

Here is one way to explain it to him.:

Say he fills his truck with 30 gallons of gas.
You leave on the trip and only get 8 miles before he gets a cell phone call and has to cancel the trip.
You drive back home and fill up, total trip was 16 miles and consumed 1 gallons of gas.

You split the cost of the 1 gallon of gas consumed.

Using HIS method, the split would be for 31 gallons of gas, even though only 1 gallon was used.

Re: Help settle a debate

I'm sorry, I'm launghing at this... it's like redneck math. But I'll admit, had to think about it for a second. Confusion is that you're looking at the first tank and not the last. You DO count the first tank (you were driving on that fuel during your trip), but you don't count the last tank (he'll use that for work, etc). So you consumed 3 tanks for the trip and that's what you split.