Lost a key in Retrax Tonneau Cover

[road turtle]

Set key on top of a mostly open cover, realized I needed to open it a bit more, an a whole bunch of bad words came out of my mouth as I watched it slide down the opening

 

Any suggestions on the easiest way to get my key back?  Looking at the installation manual, I'm thinking loosen the rails, slide it rearward and take off the front/top cover.

 

Open to any and all suggestions except don't put the key on top of the cover while opening it   I got that one covered!

[IUEC135ELEVATOR]

On 11/14/2022 at 10:52 PM, road turtle said:

Open to any and all suggestions except don't put the key on top of the cover while opening it   I got that one covered!

?

 

Can you take it off the rails easily while rolled up and turn it on its end and let the key slide out...don't know how it's made...just a thought.

[The Peddler]

Is there any way to fish a magnet down it there?

[road turtle]

Sorry for the late update!

 

Magnet was a most excellent idea, and my first attempt at finding the key, except it didn't work.

 

I emailed the mfg, and their suggestion was loosen all the bolts and slide the whole mechanism rearward and  remove the front cover piece.  BUT, after loosening all the bolts, I had to move a LOT of stuff in front of the hitch.  After all the bolts were loose, and I had to move crap out of the way, what should I see, but my key!  It never went into the canister!