I recently purchased a Roland TD-30KV that I use for home practice but also for gigs, and I needed something that would both protect my equipment in transit and be easy to manage. What I purchased was one Ahead Armor Cases 48" x 16" x 14" sled, one Ahead Armor Cases 28" x 16" x 14" sled, one Ahead Armor Cases AR5038E Adjustable Padded Insert Case for the 48" sled, and some 2"x 24"x 36" Polyurethane Charcoal Convoluted Foam. The Ahead Armor sleds are very well made, the wheels are great, and I feel very confident that my drums are well protected while in storage or in transit. I'm very pleased with the purchase.

The Adjustable Padded Insert Case does not extent high enough to zip closed when the shells are inside, as can be seen in the fifth image below: It is only as high as the zipper on the 48" sled. But the adjustable insert's straps still close over it, and since it goes inside the 48" sled, the shells are very well protected. For reference, the two floor toms and the snare are 12" diameter shells. You might notice that I didn't put the second rack tom in there, but that's simply because I don't use it.

The bags plus adjustable insert cost me upwards of $500, but then the set is worth upwards of $5K, and I knew that I would be transporting the set a lot. The whole thing has to be manageable by me and fit into the trunk and back seat of my Honda Civic, which it does.

But taking the loaded, i.e. heavy, 48" sled down a flight of stairs is definitely not easy. Other reviewers have commented on how well positioned the straps and handles are, and I agree to a point, but I would have voted for some handles on the sides as well. When I carry this up or down my stairs I essentially have to bear hug it from behind, and some side handles would have made that easier. The TD-30KV by itself weighs 170 lbs. I have not yet weighed the different bags when loaded, but they are quite heavy. Manageable, but heavy. The kick is particularly heavy, and takes up most of the 28" sled, though there is still plenty of space to put more stuff above it.

The pictures are as follows: 1. The full set. 2. The folded rack. 3. The 48" sled in which I put the sound module, the cymbals, and the shells. 4. Inside the 48" sled with the adjustable insert open. 5. The adjustable insert isn't tall enough to zip closed when the shells are inside. 6. The 28" sled in which I put the very heavy kick drum and the throne seat. 7. Inside the 28" sled with some polyurethane foam to protect the kick. 8. Inside the 28" sled with the throne seat removed. 9. A duffel bag for the remaining hardware (kick pedal, hi-hat stand, ...). 10. The rack, duffel bag, 48" sled, and 28" sled.

I bought this bag to haul the hardware, bass pedal, and bass drum for my Yamaha DTXtreme III electronic drum set. I use two Yamaha 900 tom/cymbal stands, a DW 9000 series hi hat stand, an extra cymbal stand for my drum brain and computer, and my snare stand. This case easily holds the four stands. Then I place my bass pedal (Iron Cobra 900 series), in its case, along the back/bottom of the bag. My bass drum fits along the top side and the natural curve of the bag perfectly fits the curve of my bass drum. The bag itself is really heavy duty and, although I just bought it, it looks like it's going to last years. I haven't tried it, but this bag could easily carry the hex rack that comes with the DTXtreme III, but you would have to break the rack down completely.

My son loves it gigging in LA

i have had many hardware cases, and this on is the best iv'e ever had , gets a little heavy but thats what it is made for, but it has easy transport,, and saves me about 8 trips ,, highly recommend<<<<

I have purchased a number of hardware cases. The Ahead Armor case is the most sturdy one, with high-end manufacturing using extremely durable materials. This hardware case expands to accommodate more hardware than one person can comfortably lift and move around. Heavy duty zippers and well-placed handles help make this case one of the best you will ever use. I highly recommend having at least one of these cases to use with your heavy-duty hardware.