Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                      
Net (loss) income from continuing operations                 $ (3,984) $ 8,102 $ 11,302
Less: (Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                 (48) 136  
Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (4,032) 8,238 11,302
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes                 38 (1,135) (1,124)
(Loss) on sale of discontinued operations , net of income tax benefit                 (1,378)    
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 $ (5,372) $ 7,103 $ 10,178
Earnings Per Share Basic                      
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders' of Manitex International, Inc.                 $ (0.25) $ 0.59 $ 0.89
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (0.08) (0.08) (0.09)
(Loss) on sale of discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc., net of tax                 (0.09)    
(Loss) earnings attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (0.34) 0.51 0.80
Earnings Per Share Diluted                      
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (0.25) 0.59 0.89
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (0.08) (0.08) (0.09)
(Loss) on sale of discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc., net of tax                 (0.09)    
(Loss) earnings attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 $ (0.34) $ 0.51 $ 0.80
Weighted average common shares outstanding                      
Basic 16,015,219 16,014,594 16,014,059 15,836,423 13,980,142 13,822,918 13,822,383 13,807,312 15,970,074 13,858,189 12,671,205
Diluted                      
Basic 16,015,219 16,014,594 16,014,059 15,836,423 13,980,142 13,822,918 13,822,383 13,807,312 15,970,074 13,858,189 12,671,205
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units                   46,100 46,370
Total 16,015,219 16,014,594 16,031,011 15,836,423 14,029,205 13,873,157 13,874,289 13,840,506 15,970,074 13,904,289 12,717,575