Hitch is the portion that attaches to the towing vehicle, usually 
includes a square tube receiver and a ball and tube assembly that the 
trailer hooks to. The hitch usually is permanently fastened to the 
towing vehicle, but for some vehicles (older) temporary rentals are 
available..

Tow bar generally is the assembly that attaches to the front of a 
vehicle, to allow it to be towed. Commonly used with RV's ((Caravan for 
the U.K.) to tow a small vehicle for transportation at destination.

Trailers normally have a tongue with a device to engage the hitch ball 
which can be a single tube or 2 or more steel members.

KPL wrote:
>>  Heh, I've seen smaller cars than a Golf fitted with towbars. You can buy
>>  them for cars that you wouldn't think were capable of towing (Fiat
>>  Barchetta!).
>>
>>  http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/
>>     
>
> Towing a trailer does not mean it must be big and heavy.
> If it's just a small trailer with a boat or motorcycle, it's not a
> problem for a small car. That's what those trailer hitches are for.
>
> BTW, is this another British english vs US english difference or what?
> I mean - "towbar" vs "hitch".
>
>   
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