On some engine-- I don’t know if it applies to this one though – it is possible to remove some rubber plugs from the timing belt cover and visually inspect the timing belt. You can’t usually tell how worn it is b/c you can only see the outside surface, but you could at least tell if it was intact or not. If towing isn’t $$-wise possible, maybe a visual inspection is something at least.
On the other hand, it is quite possible this problem has nothing to do w/the timing belt. Maybe it just needs a basic tune-up.