Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities as a Non-Controlling Interest (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of specific Japanese funds	2
Net proceeds from sale of container portfolios	$ 10,320,000	$ 24,886,000	$ 12,367,000
Gain on sale of container portfolios	1,256,000	2,345,000	614,000
Fair value of net investment in direct finance leases	85,554,000	37,749,000
Non-controlling interest	0	18,700,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	816,000	625,000	(181,000)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net proceeds from sale of container portfolios	10,300,000	24,900,000	12,400,000
Gain on sale of container portfolios	1,300,000	2,300,000	600,000
Containers transferred to specific Japanese funds			16,000,000
Cash	15,300,000
Fair value of net investment in direct finance leases	4,200,000
Non-controlling interest	19,500,000
Gain or loss recognized upon the initial consolidation	0
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	800,000	600,000	200,000
Collateralized financing obligations	$ 75,200,000