Douglas Dynamics, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of presentation (Details)

Basis of presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Basis of presentation (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015 item
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Derivative Number of Contracts	3plow_DerivativeNumberOfContracts
Interest rate swap
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Negative fair value included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(802,000)
Interest Rate Swap Effective 31 December 2015 through 29 March 2018 [Member]
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Notional amount	45,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	6.105%
Interest Rate Swap Effective 31 December 2015 through 29 March 2018 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Interest rate added to variable rate (as a percent)	4.25%
LIBOR floor (as a percent)	(1.00%)
Interest Rate Swap Effective 29 March 2018 through 31 March 2020 [Member]
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Notional amount	90,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	6.916%
Interest Rate Swap Effective 29 March 2018 through 31 March 2020 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Interest rate added to variable rate (as a percent)	4.25%
LIBOR floor (as a percent)	(1.00%)
Interest Rate Swap Effective 31 March 2020 through 30 June 2021 [Member]
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Notional amount	135,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	7.168%
Interest Rate Swap Effective 31 March 2020 through 30 June 2021 [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Interim Consolidated Financial Information
Interest rate added to variable rate (as a percent)	4.25%
LIBOR floor (as a percent)	1.00%