Tire carrier is worth it if you intend to carry other gear back there. I bought a dirtworx bumper that is designed to allow the installation of jerry can trays. I use them for carrying either 2x fuel jerrys, 2x water jerrys, or one of each when going on long trips. Doing a trip in September in SE Oregon with 300 miles of offroad between fuel stops. Currently trying to figure out how I want to carry a 3rd jerry...
But as others have said, opening the tire carrier every time I want to access the rear can be a bit annoying. If you are not planning on carrying anything back there, I would go the tailgate reinforcement route.