CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue
Rental revenue									$ 152,982	$ 106,694	$ 64,892
Management fee revenue									12,094	12,957	10,348
Gain on sale of container portfolios									1,256	2,345	614
Finance lease income									7,593	3,710	2,045
Total revenue	49,854	44,939	39,725	39,407	36,243	32,962	28,759	27,742	173,925	125,706	77,899
Operating expenses
Depreciation of rental equipment									48,352	33,633	20,807
Amortization of intangible assets									902	1,254	1,377
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment									(12,445)	(13,374)	(9,112)
Storage, handling and other expenses									9,402	5,513	6,170
Marketing, general and administrative expense									24,658	21,009	21,218
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange									170	(354)	513
Total operating expenses	20,268	18,893	15,363	16,515	15,342	11,274	11,839	9,226	71,039	47,681	40,973
Operating income	29,586	26,046	24,362	22,892	20,901	21,688	16,920	18,516	102,886	78,025	36,926
Interest expense									28,796	16,139	5,278
Interest income									(9)	(12)	(109)
Net interest expense									28,787	16,127	5,169
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest									74,099	61,898	31,757
Income tax expense									9,818	11,084	3,555
Net income									64,281	50,814	28,202
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest									(816)	(625)	181
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$ 17,411	$ 16,528	$ 15,135	$ 14,391	$ 12,891	$ 13,622	$ 10,880	$ 12,796	$ 63,465	$ 50,189	$ 28,383
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.86	$ 0.78	$ 0.75	$ 0.67	$ 0.71	$ 0.56	$ 0.66	$ 3.26	$ 2.60	$ 1.58
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 0.84	$ 0.77	$ 0.73	$ 0.66	$ 0.70	$ 0.55	$ 0.65	$ 3.18	$ 2.55	$ 1.56
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)									19,495	19,295	17,974
Diluted (in shares)									19,945	19,693	18,203