Tires are new stock Michelins, but they have always been adequate. I've actually forded that area where I got stuck numerous times, but recent rains must have changed the landscape a little bit. For anybody wondering, those are "the narrows" of Box Canyon in Wickenburg, AZ. My tow hooks we're actually in the mail and came the next day, however, recovery points were not the issue. No cell reception, only the guys that stumbled upon me with their light trucks and balled tires, and the distance required and not enough quality straps were the issue. Tie in desperation due to incoming weather and being in a flood zone and just about every factor came together to make this a bad situation. In the off chance that I'd end up with water up to the roof, I was willing to try anything to get out of there. Tried pulling it out from the front and rear. One of the other guys went into town and called the 3 tow companies in town of which none would come until the morning.
Like I said, I was dumb and should have never put myself in the situation, but the adventurer in me took over my common sense. Having just started going off roading in the last year, I've learned quite a bit. A couple times it's been a hard lesson. This would be one of them.
My wife has the car right now, but I'll take a picture of the dent in the tailgate later. It can probably be pulled out. There is no damage visible to the paint. In a few days I'll find out whether it would have been better to have busted the window.
But as another contributor mentioned, if you are going to use tow straps, drape something heavy over the center of the strap to avoid having it fly back at your Jeep like it did to mine.
Had that thing flown back higher, and had we been pulling out from the front, I might not be here to be writing this post.