Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Comprehensive Income Statement (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss), including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ 17,170	$ 17,090	$ 29,420	$ 28,840
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	16,660	17,090	29,150	28,840
Other comprehensive income
Amortization of defined benefit plan deferred losses, net of tax	90	60	210	110
Foreign currency translation	(4,870)	2,510	(360)	7,350
Net changes in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax	(510)	80	(920)	230
Total other comprehensive income	(5,290)	2,650	(1,070)	7,690
Total comprehensive income	11,880	19,740	28,350	36,530
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	510		270
Total comprehensive income attributable to TriMas Corporation	11,370	19,740	28,080	36,530
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss), including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	17,170		29,420
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	17,170	17,090	29,420	28,840
Other comprehensive income
Amortization of defined benefit plan deferred losses, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Net changes in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	17,170		29,420
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total comprehensive income attributable to TriMas Corporation	17,170	17,090	29,420	28,840
Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss), including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	25,450		41,880
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	24,940	21,260	41,610	37,180
Other comprehensive income
Amortization of defined benefit plan deferred losses, net of tax	60	30	120	60
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Net changes in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax	(450)	80	(860)	230
Total other comprehensive income	(390)	110	(740)	290
Total comprehensive income	25,060		41,140
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	510		270
Total comprehensive income attributable to TriMas Corporation	24,550	21,370	40,870	37,470
Non-Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss), including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	5,370		10,080
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	5,370	6,870	10,080	9,900
Other comprehensive income
Amortization of defined benefit plan deferred losses, net of tax	30	30	90	50
Foreign currency translation	(4,870)	2,510	(360)	7,350
Net changes in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax	(60)	0	(60)	0
Total other comprehensive income	(4,900)	2,540	(330)	7,400
Total comprehensive income	470		9,750
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total comprehensive income attributable to TriMas Corporation	470	9,410	9,750	17,300
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss), including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	(30,820)		(51,960)
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	(30,820)	(28,130)	(51,960)	(47,080)
Other comprehensive income
Amortization of defined benefit plan deferred losses, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Net changes in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	(30,820)		(51,960)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total comprehensive income attributable to TriMas Corporation	$ (30,820)	$ (28,130)	$ (51,960)	$ (47,080)