I have a Voyager 17 and Hinterberg Stretch frame, purchased in June of 07--guessing at over 100 quilts since I started, 57 since January 2011.
I have zippers in my headers. When I made the headers I cut off a 3" strip, finished the edges, sewed the sleeping bag weight zippers in place. I do not sew onto the zippers again but on to the 3" strip then zip them on.
I sew the backing on the two headers then the bottom of the top on the top header, roll it part way, baste it and the batting to the backing @ the take-up roller, tighten, place the side tensioners on, tighten the top and go to work. Takes less than 1/2 hour to load including cutting batting to size off the roll. Only use 3 pins to pin the centers.