the non-genuine electrics aren't programmed, you can just unplug them, and replace with the genuine electrics unless the car loom has been hacked about to splice them in.

If you're only towing a bike trailer, and just want a 13pin socket because it's a better socket, then you can just replace the single 7 pin socket with a 13 pin, transferring the wires across, you wont have a reverse light connection (but a small trailer is unlikely to have one anyway), the other wiring is only really for caravans, to charge the battery and power the fridge etc. so you wont need them. Just an option for you.

You can just push the sensor button on the dash to disable the sensors manually.

Many thanks for all the replies

Conclusion is after guidance on this forum,as my requirement is purely for a bike trailer and so only needing the rear lights then a simple 7 to 13 pin converter will suffice @ £2.99 so am going that route.

When I again buy a caravan I will change the loom properly then get a 13 to 7 converter for the trailer. Many thanks
Paul

Or you could simply change the plug on the trailer to a 7 pin 12n plug

Assuming that the trailer doesn't have reversing lights.... if it does then the adapter is the way to go at the moment..... although I can see it becoming a requirement that if you've got reversing lights on the trailer they will need to work... not enforced at the moment.... but that will be the next money raiser for the Police  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Thanks for the reply

No reversing lights, its a trials bike trailer so almost skeleton frame, for two bikes, with std lights. Many thanks
Paul

Think I'd be inclined to leave the car alone and change the trailer plug.... it will be a lot easier to do that the car. In my experience a trailer has more wire available and it is generally more accessible that the wiring on a car  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

That's true, but 13 pin sockets are just far better and more reliable than the old 7 pin ones long term.

Agree - I'd be inclined to just change the socket on the car and leave the 6 connections unused.

We are unanimous that's what will happen 👍 Many thanks
Paul

Lets hope that there is enough cable, otherwise some one will be cursing you while their face is buried in the bumper and trying to make connections to a socket that you can't see properly

Plus there is the other consideration, it will make the car a definite failure at MOT time I believe that the 13 pin socket is part of the MOT test.... how's it going to pass with 7 connections missing? Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Look, half way down the page

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-s...-2012.html Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Good spot

Yay best stick with 7 pin then  Many thanks
Paul

I found that out after I'd fitted the 13 pin socket... another bloody thing to trip me up at MOT time, talk about self inflicted wounds  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

I think if the wires reach a 7 pin they'll reach a 13pin

That's a fair point about the MOT,
(I just checked) MOT manual Section 1.9. They only check the Position lamps, stop lamps, direction indicators and fog lamps. So it would still pass.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/syst...hicles.pdf

The vehicles own reverse lights aren't even checked for the MOT.

Bear in mind though it's only about £70 for a complete Westfalia 13pin wiring kit.

Thinking future proof I'm going this way now.

Get a quality Westy loom and do properly and buy a cheapo 13 to 7 pin converter for the bike trailer, this way I'm covered plus when we buy the Caravan I will be ready.

There decision made, closure wahooooooooooo Many thanks
Paul