what does 20,000 break strength mean on tow strap

I'm looking to buy a tow strap and see one on e bay, with a 20,000 # break strength. It is 20 feet with loops not hooks so otherwise would seem OK

Is 20,000# break strength adaquate. Aren there different types of 20,000# test strengths, so that 20,000# breaking strength might be less than 20,000# test on another tow strap.

Is 20,000# break strength enough

Got me, the standard seems debatable. I have lift straps, that are the same width as the 20,000 pound tow strap. That are 50% thicker, with a tighter weave, that are lift rated to 5000 Lbs. with a break of 10,000 pounds (with indicator threads woven in/when an indicator thread breaks, the strap is only usefull for tie down).
The standard for 20,000 pound tow straps, seems to figure in the stretch somehow.
I was taught, the weakest point of a rope or strap was where it changes directions (at the bend of the loop). Which was figured to be half as strong as the rest of the strap.
Don´t know if the tow straps are measured at the weakest point or maybe just have to stretch and hold a specified wieght for a given number of seconds. Do know much of the material used in straps, is UV sensitive (becomes weaker when exposed sun) and ozone also has effects. Reason why most mil. spec straps specify a certain amount of natural fibers. Many 100% synthetic straps, have experation dates. Go to a speed shop and read, the small print for many race saftey belts. Many are certified for only a year (how long has this seat belt been on the shelf?).
Straps are only as strong as the weakest part. Rule of thumb, order double what you are going to need. End loops (double), tree savers 4X. And remember a string rated at five pounds, might hold a five pound wieght, but if the same wieght is dropped (or yanked) for just a couple of inches, the string may snap. Snatch, drop, stretch, rated lift and break, are all terms used in figureing, the utility of straps. All are a different standard.

Here we go again

Do not confuse a "tow" strap with a "snatch" or "recovery" strap.

The strap you are looking at is a 2" "recovery" strap. 20,000 pounds is the typical break strength for that type of strap, and it's adequate for use with an XJ. Read the fine print and you'll see that the rated safe working load is 1/3 of the break strength, or 6,667 pounds.

Snatch straps are designed to stretch under load, which both cushions the shock to both vehicles and multiplies the force of the yank being applied.

A "tow" strap doesn't have the same stretch -- nor do the lifting straps referred to by 8Mud. Look at the straps in Wal-Mart and next to the 20' snatch strap such as you describe you'll see both 15' and 30' 2-inch wide "tow" straps, with metal hooks, that are rated for only 10,000 pounds breaking strength (3,333 working load). Same material, same width, different weave (note the colored threads, indicating to a pro what the strap is rated at) ... different rating by a factor of two.

If you do hard-core mud running, such that you're likely to get sunk up to the axles or up to the floor pan, the effective load of a REALLY stuck vehicle can be several times the weight of the vehicle. For such conditions you should be looking for a 3" strap. For general purposes, a 2" x 20' snatch strap rated 20,000 pounds is adequate.

Please do not post the same question on more than one forum. It just fragments the responses.