Stuck between “trailer” and “trailor”? The correct spelling is always “trailer” with an “e” – never with an “o.” Despite what you might see online, dictionaries only recognize “trailer.”
This confusion happens because words like “sailor” and “tailor” end with “-or,” but “trailer” follows the “trail+er” pattern. Remember this simple rule and you’ll never get it wrong again!
Let’s clear up this common mix-up once and for all and dive into what this word actually means and how to use it right.
The Common Spelling Confusion “Trailer” or “Trailor”
I see this mistake all the time – people typing “trailor” when they mean “trailer.”
This happens whether you’re talking about those wheeled things you tow behind your car or the previews before movies start.
Even people who’ve spoken English their whole lives trip up on this one. Just last week, I spotted this error in an online marketplace listing for a “Boat Trailor For Sale” and again in an email about a “movie trailor” someone wanted me to watch.
Trailer or Trailor – Which One Is Correct?
Here’s the bottom line: trailer is right, trailor is wrong.
This isn’t one of those American vs. British English debates – “trailer” is the only correct spelling everywhere English is spoken.
You won’t find “trailor” in any dictionary because it’s simply a mistake that’s become common through repeated use.
Meaning and Usage of “Trailer”
Trailer as a Noun
A trailer can be several different things:
- That thing you hitch to your car or truck to haul stuff around (like a U-Haul)
- A mobile home or camper that can be towed
- Those exciting movie previews they show before the main feature
- In tech talk, a marker at the end of a data file
I’ve got a buddy who lives in a trailer park just outside town, and he tows a small utility trailer behind his truck for his landscaping business. Funny enough, he also makes fan trailers for movies as a hobby.
Trailer as a Verb
People use “trailer” as a verb too, though not as often:
- “We’re going to trailer the boat up to the lake this weekend.”
- “They’re trailering that new superhero movie during the Super Bowl.”
My dad always says he’s “trailering” his bass boat to the fishing tournament, which sounds way better than saying he’s “dragging it behind his truck.”
Read Also: Scrapped or Scraped? Simple Guide to Avoid Confusion
Why Do People Misspell “Trailer” as “Trailor”?
This mix-up happens for a few really understandable reasons:
English has tons of words ending with “-or” that describe people or things that do something: sailor, tailor, counselor, actor.
So if someone trails behind, shouldn’t they be a “trailor”? Nope – but you can see why people think so!
The way we say “trailer” doesn’t help either. In many accents, the ending sounds more like “-or” than “-er.”
Plus, English spelling is just plain weird sometimes. Why is it “color” but “farmer”? No wonder we get confused!
Words That Sound Similar to “Trailer”
A few words sound like “trailer” and might be adding to the confusion:
Tailor – the person who alters your clothes Sailor – someone who works on boats Taylor – a common last name
Notice all these end with that “-or” sound, which might be why people think “trailer” should follow the same pattern.
Synonyms and Alternative Words for “Trailer”
For “Trailer”
When talking about the vehicle type:
- Mobile home
- Camper
- Caravan (especially in the UK)
- Towed unit
- RV attachment
For movie previews:
- Teaser
- Preview
- Sneak peek
- Coming attraction
- Promo
My grandpa refuses to say “trailer” for his camper – he insists on calling it his “portable vacation home.”
For “Trailor”
Since “trailor” isn’t actually a real word, it doesn’t have any true synonyms. It’s just an incorrect spelling of “trailer.”
Sentences Using “Trailer” Correctly
- “Mark backed the trailer into the driveway with surprising skill.”
- “The new horror movie trailer gave me nightmares for a week.”
- “Jenny lives in a double-wide trailer with an amazing garden out back.”
- “We need to trailer the jet skis to the beach tomorrow morning.”
- “Their trailer hitch broke halfway to the campground.”
Etymology and History of the Word “Trailer”
The word “trailer” has a pretty straightforward history:
It comes from the verb “to trail” (following behind something) plus “-er” (something that does an action).
People started using it in the 1700s to describe anything that trails behind something else.
By the late 1800s, it referred specifically to vehicles being towed.
The movie meaning came about in the 1920s because, believe it or not, these previews originally came at the END of movies (they “trailed” after). Even though they now show before the main feature, the name stuck.
My film professor loves telling this story to first-year students – it blows their minds every time.
Read Also: Pick Up or Pickup? Avoid This Common Mistake
Regional Variations in Usage
While the spelling stays the same worldwide, how people use “trailer” varies by location:
- In America, “trailer” commonly means both mobile homes and towed vehicles.
- In Britain and Australia, people more often say “caravan” for what Americans call a “travel trailer.”
- Hollywood has made “trailer” the universal term for movie previews, though.
My Australian cousin laughed when I said I was buying a “trailer” – she thought I meant a mobile home when I was talking about a small cargo trailer.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling (Trailer, Not Trailor!)
Here’s how to keep it straight:
Remember that “trailer” comes from “trail” + “er” – just add “er” to the base word like many other English words do:
- Farm → Farmer
- Write → Writer
- Trail → Trailer
My high school English teacher gave us this memory trick: “A trailER follows you on the road, just like the ER follows trails!”
Digital Impact on the Spelling Confusion
The internet has both helped and hurt this spelling situation:
Auto-correct usually catches “trailor” and fixes it to “trailer.” But online marketplaces and social media are full of the misspelling, which makes people think it might be correct. I’ve noticed more “trailor” typos since people started selling things on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist without editors checking their spelling.
Conclusion
To wrap it up: “trailer” is right, “trailor” is wrong. This mistake is super common, but now you know better! Next time you’re writing about a towed vehicle or a movie preview, you can confidently use “trailer” and know you’ve got it right. What other word pairs trip you up? Let me know in the comments!
Theodore is a language expert dedicated to enhancing writing skills through clear grammar guidance. Specializing in writing tips, plural nouns, and language devices, he simplifies complex rules to help writers communicate effectively and confidently.
