Buyer Beware: Our very stressful Experience with a Previously Scrapped RV purchase. Summary: In September 2023, we unknowingly purchased a consigned Fifthwheel from Sylvan Lake RV that had previously been written off as "scrapped for parts" due to rodent infestation. This designation was confirmed by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and Alberta Transportation in 2025--rendering the RV uninsurable, unregistrable, and essentially worthless. Purchase & Discovery (Sept 2023) We agreed to purchase a consigned 2014 Alpine 3555RL Luxury Fifthwheel. At final signing, a Carfax report revealed the unit had been labelled "scrapped for parts/rodent infestation" in Saskatchewan (Aug 2020). The salesman assured us it was a clerical error when we questioned it stating they contacted motor vehicles to verify. Then provided a Vehicle History Checklist stating the trailer had never been deemed salvage or scrapped. At the time, it was actively registered in Alberta. We signed in good faith. Repair Issues & Registration Fallout (2024-2025) Throughout 2024, warranty repairs were repeatedly unaddressed. In April 2025, while investigating AC issues, we discovered rodent damage to the AC ducting in the ceiling. We contacted SGI and Alberta Transportation and learned the RV had officially been written off in 2020, and should not have been eligible for registration or insurance. Alberta reversed its registration status to "scrapped." We had paid over $700/month--including insurance--for 18 months on an asset that could not be legally registered, insured, towed, or sold. Dealer Response & Replacement Process (Apr-Aug 2025) On April 2025, we approached Doug Thompson (owner) requesting a replacement of equal or greater value, size, features & quality. He agreed, but over the next three months, only two options were presented--one required additional financing, the other was in poor condition. We had no functioning AC for all of 2024 until Aug 2025, two months without kitchen sinks, and an awning that never worked properly. Ultimately, due to consumer protection deadlines, we requested for trade a 2021 Keystone Cougar 315RLS ( a consigned unit on his lot) to resolve the dispute and avoid legal costs. This unit is smaller (35' vs. 40') and lacks the luxury features of our original Alpine. We chose to take a downgrade in features, size & quality. It was not our preferred outcome, but the only viable path forward outside of a lengthy & costly legal process. We sent the dealer possible options from private sellers as he had stated he didn't want to buy from another dealer. Those options were ignored also. We felt he was waiting for the perfect consignment to come in...We believe to save his losses while we waited for a unicorn which could cause us to miss our consumer protection deadline. The replacement trailer was delivered August 1, 2025--dirty inside and out. Communication from Doug stopped. He didn't even bother to see how the replacement was going. --- Final Recommendation We strongly advise buyers to thoroughly verify title history and registration status--including out-of-province records from SGI or any other jurisdiction before purchasing any consignment unit from this dealership. Our experience shows that a unit previously written off as scrap can slip through the cracks and leave buyers with serious financial and legal consequences. read more

We Bought a 2011 Tiffin Allegro Bus from Kenny at Sylvan Lake RV and we are extremely happy with our purchase. There were a few things that needed to be addressed and Doug made sure they were 100%. Great sales staff and service department. Would recommend this dealership to anyone looking to buy a Trailer or a Coach. Oliver and Tara Mahoney. read more

This central Alberta business nows features a new line of 2011 Creekside Trailers. A neighbor just bought one and is so anxious to get out camping when the weather warms up.Today, it is -25C-COLD. He went to the RV shows in Red Deer, and was most impressed with the RV he purchased right in his own back yard of Sylvan Lake. Then he tells me, he also gets a Free trip to Las Vegas-so his parents will be watching the kids during their winter escape. Wow, seems like a great deal to me. read more