The factory switch is momentary on ours. I am surprised that Bruce's door doesn't have a factory gas strut to hold the door up. What's up with that? Only 3 years difference and ours isn't a Patriot, yet we have both on our Monterey. I'd add a strut as well as the switch, Bruce, and to any other swing-up bay doors that are lacking one or two struts.
I do the same thing; hold a Shop Towels paper towel around the cord with one hand while the other is on the switch during retraction. Dirt is not rubber's friend, seals or cord, and together with moisture can make the grab wheels slip on the reel mechanism.
Joel