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, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                      
Net (loss) income from continuing operations                 $ (21,775) $ (5,261) $ 7,043
Less: loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest                 574 (48) 136
Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (21,201) (5,309) 7,179
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes                 556 1,315 (76)
(Loss) on sale of discontinued operations , net of income tax benefit                 (14,515) (1,378)  
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 $ (35,160) $ (5,372) $ 7,103
(Loss) earnings per Share Basic                      
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders' of Manitex International, Inc.                 $ (1.31) $ (0.33) $ 0.52
(Loss) earnings from operations of discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc., net of tax                 0.03 0.08 (0.01)
(Loss) on sale of discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc., net of tax                 (0.90) (0.09)  
(Loss) earnings attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (2.18) (0.34) 0.51
Earnings (loss) Per Share Diluted                      
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 (1.31) (0.33) 0.52
(Loss) earnings from operations of discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc., net of tax                 0.03 0.08 (0.01)
(Loss) on sale of discontinued operations attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc., net of tax                 (0.90) (0.09)  
(Loss) earnings attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.                 $ (2.18) $ (0.34) $ 0.51
Weighted average common shares outstanding                      
Basic 16,174,403 16,127,346 16,125,788 16,105,601 16,015,219 16,014,594 16,014,059 15,836,423 16,133,284 15,970,074 13,858,189
Diluted                      
Basic 16,174,403 16,127,346 16,125,788 16,105,601 16,015,219 16,014,594 16,014,059 15,836,423 16,133,284 15,970,074 13,858,189
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units                     46,100
Total 16,174,403 16,127,346 16,125,788 16,105,601 16,015,219 16,039,361 16,014,059 15,836,423 16,133,284 15,970,074 13,904,289