Disposed and Discontinued Operations Part 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of businesses sold	3
Cash proceeds	$ 516,901	$ 4,500	$ 3,571
Gain (loss) on sale (including impairments), net of taxes	4,743	14,203	11,170
After-tax impairment charge	76,072
Benefit for Income Taxes	17,960
Net earnings from discontinued operations	53,621
Heil Trailer International [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds	211,911
Gain (loss) on sale (including impairments), net of taxes	63,343
Benefit for Income Taxes	10,675
Triton [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds		7,498
Gain (loss) on sale (including impairments), net of taxes		13,100
Benefit for Income Taxes		11,597
Net earnings from discontinued operations		23,556
Gain (loss) on sale of previously discontinued business after tax		900
Adjustment to carrying value of business held for sale and others, net after-tax loss		1,500	10,338
Paladin and Crenlo Brands [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of businesses sold	2
Cash proceeds	300,211
Gain (loss) on sale (including impairments), net of taxes	(65,927)
After-tax impairment charge	$ 76,072