We need to pull a cattle trailer on the bumper hitch on our 4.6L. I know the rating was about 6,300 lbs, but is that right off the bumper, or do you have to buy a reciever hitch for something like that. The trailer is a 14 ft cattle trailer. What I mean, is can the truck pull the full 6,300 lbs right off the bumper if you put a ball on it, or do you need more.

 

Are you talking putting a hitch on the factory bumper (hole) or does your truck have a factory installed receiver???

I am not 100% clear on what you have.

 

I believe the bumber hitch is only rated to 250 lbs tongue weight, I have a Hidden Hitch installed rated at 6000 lbs towing capacity (600 lbs tongue weight). The Hidden Hitch is identical in design to the factory hitch from Ford. Some pics in my gallery.

 

I mean on the factory bumper. I was looking behind the bumper, and it looks like some pretty heavy duty steel back there, so it appears that it could take a heavy load.

 

no, that would be a really bad idea...pulling 6300 punds with a bumper would be asking for trouble...your 4.6 is probably not rated higher than 6300 if that high...that is with a proper reciever hitch attached to your frame, not your bumper...if you want to pull that thing get a receiver hitch...

 

All the Ford factory bumpers I have ever seen have been rated for 4000 to 5000 lbs at the most. Tounge weights are usually pretty low too. I have seen way to many tacoed bumpers to even suggest attempting this.
While the bumper may appear stout enough, I think you would be stressing the bumper mounts.
Bouncing around on a farm with a less than ideal set up would rate really low on the list of things I'd feel comfortable trying with a truck this expensive. I'd get the proper hitch receiver for the job if I was in your shoes.