Problem solving befor the tow

[GregOConnor]

With a gas engine you look for fuel then spark. since diesel spark is a matter of compression, in Diesel you look for fuel then compression.
When a diesel engine starts up then dies it is losing one of the two. Since you need compression for the initial start and that is more or less a constant, fuel may be the issue.
For the cost and problems associated with a tow I would hire a mobile tech who has enough tools to do a diagnostic road side. When some tech says "I need to get it to the shop, dont worry my brother has a tow truck" get another mobile tech.

Throw every possibility at it and some one is sure to be right. entertainment.