Gain Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013 item
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, unrecorded amount	$ 2.8
Fleet Manager [Member]
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, unrecorded amount	2.8
Gain contingency, number of vessels	3
Gain contingency, percentage of fross proceeds	10.00%
Fleet Manager [Member] \| ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. [Member]
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, unrecorded amount	$ 1.4

The amount or range of possible amounts of gain that could be realized upon the resolution of a contingency.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6397426&loc=d3e17499-108355

Name:	us-gaap_GainContingencyUnrecordedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant