Tonneau covers

I've had a Truxedo Truxport roll up, but prefer the Tonno Pro trifold I currently have. Both were way less than your figure, and they both held up really well.

Ionic trifold works great with the 5 er......for 8 ft bed about $300 have had it two years.....not sure how would work with short bed.....good luck

access

Look at either the Rugged soft tri-fold or the Extang trifecta.

Soft Roll up cover provide out of site out of mind security, but are not very secure vs. a hard cover.
Soft cover can be purchased for less than $500.00

Been thinking about ditching my current cap for a cover. Problem is the dealer says my cap current cap ($1500 fiberglass) isn't worth $100. Also showed me several roll up and/or tri-fold models and all were $1000 or more. Will be rigging a winch system in the garage to remove and install cap.

I have the Xtang Trifecta, it was $400.00 and it has been great. Except now it is sitting in the garage because I purchased a cap for our trip so that I can have the mountain bikes in the back of the truck with other gear while we tow our Travel Trailer. Trifecta is easy to use, easy to install or remove and you can fold it and lock it to one panel position to open the bed of the truck if need be.

G4 Elite is what I have. It's more expensive than your budget though. It locks and has access to the front and rear at any time.
I'm putting an auxiliary fuel tank in my truck and needed the front access and lock. The only down side is I can't put my eyes on the king pin/hitch when hooking up. The tonneau cover folds and stacks on itself about 4" high. I've seen some that fold up against the window for full bed access but block too much window for me.

hbensley, Just use a orange fiberglas stick mounted to the center of the bed and align with it. I had to give up toppers as we own a farm and use our truck every day and then when travelling haul a 7.5 Onan in the bed.

I use an Access Vanish roll up. I did not want a tri-fold because with it folded up I could not see the fifth wheel hitch from in the truck cab. I can see the fifth wheel hitch with the shorter height roll up. Good luck.