XML 54 R30.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Apr. 30, 2014
location
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Merger related costs $ (27)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts $ 1us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts  
National Pump      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Number of rental locations     35us-gaap_NumberOfStores
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
Revenue reported by acquired entity for last annual period     210us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionRevenueReportedByAcquiredEntityForLastAnnualPeriod
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
Revenues 57us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
   
Income before provision for income taxes (2)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
   
Western Canada | National Pump      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Number of rental locations     4us-gaap_NumberOfStores
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA
Other long-term assets | National Pump      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Capitalized debt issuance costs 22us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
   
Merger related costs | National Pump      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Merger related costs $ (27)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= uri_NationalPumpMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= uri_MergerRelatedCostsMember