With the reinforcement brackets on the inside strength is not an issue, open or closed and I can swing and tug as hard as I like off the open end without causing any movement at the mounting. The brackets in my case are just some 6mm thick plate bent to shape using the carrier castings as a guide. They have much better clearance than a bumper mounted carrier to open out over things close to the back of the truck, open easily with one hand and if you move the wheel mounting plate across there's still room for a hi-lift and shovel on there. The only real disadvantage I've seen suggested is if you reverse into something hard, or are hit hard from behind on the tyre, there could be more damage to the mounting points than for a bumper carrier. Depends where and how you hit it, but I think the hinges will hinge and the tailgate will take the load and I know from observation if you hit a bumper mounted wheel hard they can still flex and damage the tailgate.
