More on the strip idea--
I've been surprised to see how well the little strips of velcro do at preventing the flaps from falling down. And if you want to make them stronger, just use wider velcro or do both sides.
When I'm ready to leave, I just lift the lower side of the strip and roll the flap out from under it and leave the strip stuck there for next time and I've never lost one. The flap has loop-side velcro so it easily comes out from under the strip's loop-side material.
The only problem I have is my step-stool is just a bit short for the job and if the top of the velcro strip has come off, I have to stretch to re-attach it. If the step-stool isn't rock-solid, I sometimes opt to not roll the flap all the way up so I don't have to stretch so far.
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On replacing the hook-side velcro-
On my 01, the velcro had an adhesive backing and then was sewn through. If you remove a section of the old, you can use 3M Adhesive Remover to clean off the old adhesive. However, you may not want to use adhesive-backed velcro for the replacement. The adhesive had too low a melting temperature and tended to run out the edges and mar the vinyl. I had to clean mine and I know others have done the same. It may be possible to remove or thin the adhesive along the edges of the velcro so this doesn't happen yet you still have some adhesive under the middle of the replacement velcro strip (if yours had adhesive).
If you do choose to replace existing velcro, please let us know how it goes (and take some photos!)
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