Due to trailers initially being shown after, or "trailing", the feature film, the term "trailer" was used to describe the promotion; despite it coming before, or "previewing", the film it was promoting.

Production trailers are commonly used as on set production offices, star trailers for talent, or crew offices for film, tv and commercial shots. They can be used in a variety of ways on set as they are deigned to be versatile mobile production vehicles as needed on you film, tv, or commercial shoot locations.