Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 303,580	$ 390	$ 634,800	$ (370,870)	$ 39,260
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	75,550			75,550
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,430)				(11,430)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	174,670	50	174,620
Shares surrendered upon vesting of options and restricted stock awards to cover tax obligations	(4,440)		(4,440)
Stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting	1,620	10	1,610
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	1,550		1,550
Non-cash compensation expense	9,200		9,200
Noncontrolling Interest, Change in Redemption Value	(890)		(890)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	549,410	450	816,450	(295,320)	27,830
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	68,470			68,470
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(17,610)				(17,610)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	0
Shares surrendered upon vesting of options and restricted stock awards to cover tax obligations	(2,910)		(2,910)
Stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting	640	0	640
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	1,180		1,180
Non-cash compensation expense	7,440		7,440
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(15,990)		(15,990)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	590,630	450	806,810	(226,850)	10,220
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	(33,400)			(33,400)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,210)				(13,210)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	0
Shares surrendered upon vesting of options and restricted stock awards to cover tax obligations	(2,770)		(2,770)
Stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting	500		500
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	590		590
Non-cash compensation expense	7,030		7,030
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction	(2,180)			6,130	(8,310)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 547,190	$ 450	$ 812,160	$ (254,120)	$ (11,300)