A tow strap has no stretch. A recovery strap does. Recovery straps are better...they'll hold up longer to snatching someone out of a mud hole. The ones I use are rated for at least 20,000 lbs. I get them at Tractor Supply Company and they have hoops sewn into each end for easier hook-up.

I learned the hard way to NEVER use a chain, or straps with metal hooks. I came close to having a metal hook in the back of my head one night. So I always use recovery straps with nothing but the fabric at each end.

First off I like this thread. I have searched before and could not come up with anything. I have but one question. The recovery straps with the hoops sewn in. Will those fit on the stock front tow hooks? Or should I make some with some larger clevis's?

Like everyone has said, never, never, ever, ever use hooks on the ends of straps. My neighbor across the street was pulling a stump out of his yard with a strap that had a hook on the end. It came loose and the hook ended up embedded in his knee.

I've never used any 'recovery straps' that have stretch...sure they work, but never seen one used. Closest thing I guess would be a 30' section of used ~1" diameter marine line for keeping a ship on a dock with two bowlines on each end....used it for serious recovery and for yanking down multiple shrubs and apple trees!! No idea what the original rating was but it takes a beating. Uncle accidentally nicked it with a chainsaw, just took 3' off and redited the end!!

Otherwise I ahve a collection of tow straps. Some are heavier duty than others. never hurts to have a bunch of tow straps, you never know how stuck someone will get....always happens when you don't expect it!! The heavier duty they are the more abuse they can take basically. Cheesy long ones will work fine for moderate recovery, but wouldn't trust them for life threatening situations....which happen. I have a couple of disused lifting straps, heavy duty stuff, you fold it, don't roll it up!! Rated for overhead lifting means that it can handle 2x pulling force (with safety factor). With my jeep locked f/r on Q78s I just keep a short strap on one of my rear shackles and then wrap it up on the roof so if someone behind me needs a tug, I just get like 15' away, take it off the roof, pull, and go. No need to whip out a 30-50' strap for your average 'guy just needs a little tug.'
I would start with a longer one, then get a short one and another long one. Have a mix, if you wheel enough you'll need em.