Last night, during a bout of insomnia, I fell into one of my regular time-passing habits, which is scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and the Free section of Craigslist, looking for some good stuff I can integrate into my Cruiser. I just casually decided to search for any good trailer hitch receivers, and one popped up, not too far from home.

The seller was asking $30, which was well under my budget for this item, so I sent a message asking about measurements (it was 2:30 am, mind you). I had taken the measurement of the bus chassis once so that I knew what size hitch to look for. According to the ad, it was rated for 5000 lbs with a 2-inch receiver. Apparently it had been intended for a 3/4 ton pickup truck, no model specified. It sounded like it should work, if it was the right width. All I could do now was to try to get some sleep and hope nobody else snapped it up.

Next morning I was surprised to see a message from the seller, offering to just give me the hitch. I started to think maybe it was a scam, and repeated my request for the distance between the mounting holes. Shortly after, they sent a pair of photos with a tape measure showing the distance at about 31 inches, with lined up with the measurements I’d taken earlier of my bus. The photos said to me that this was a real offer, of a real tow receiver, and that it should actually work. I decided I could afford a two-hour detour before driving to work to go check this out.

Picking up the hitch went without hiccup, it was sturdy but not too heavy, and it fit easily in the back of my car. If anything I began to worry that it was too small. I’d have to bring it to the bus to be sure.

After work I ran out to my Cruiser to check the fit of this hitch, and I was delighted to see that the mounting holes line up perfectly with the undercarriage! This is the first step to being able to bring a small car around with me for running errands and exploring towns when I’m boondocked, so I don’t have to drive my home all the way to do laundry.

Now all I need are a drop hitch and a tow dolly!

Cost: $0.00