Back in the 1900's, I took a band to SMC with one kid playing four bass drums on a rack on the front side line (ended up putting all percussion, 2-snares, 1-tom, one cymbal on the sideline with the two mallet/aux players). Had to go this route after two bass drummers (siblings) moved and the other one failed. Borrowed the rack from a neighboring school and ended up buying one the next year. Balance and precision was fine. Didn't win SMC (or make the finals) but it wasn't because of the bass drums on the sideline. Now, this was a small school, so YMMV.