Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities as a Non-Controlling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of specific Japanese funds				2
Net proceeds from sale of container portfolios		$ 12,200,000		$ 10,320,000	$ 24,886,000
Gain on sale of container portfolios	0	682,000		1,256,000	2,345,000
Containers transferred to specific Japanese funds			16,000,000
Cash paid for container equipment	15,300,000			15,300,000
Cash and other assets contributed	4,200,000			4,200,000
Total consideration for non-controlling interest	19,500,000			19,500,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	238,000	183,000		816,000	593,000
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Collateralized financing obligation	$ 53,400,000			$ 53,400,000